Rep. Carolyn Maloney pushes for a Smithsonian Museum of American Women's History in Washington

The time is now for a Smithsonian Museum of American Women’s History on the National Mall in Washington, Rep. Carolyn Maloney said Monday.

“We should be proud to make a strong statement that Americans value women, champion equality and honor the significant contributions of women throughout our history,” the Manhattan Democrat said.

An advocacy group, the Common Good, announced a Change.org petition calling on Congress to authorize construction of the museum.

“How we honor the achievements of great American women of the past is a barometer of how we feel about our girls and women of today,” said Patricia Duff, said, founder of the Common Good.

Last year, a bipartisan congressional commission released a report recommending the institution be built.

Maloney, who spoke at a luncheon at Le Cirque on E. 58th St., said the idea for the museum began with a simple walk around Washington over 15 years ago.

“I saw museums dedicated to air and space, spies, textiles, the Postal Service — all enriching institutions. But I noticed a glaring absence — no museum dedicated to half the population,” she said.