Women’s Equality Day, on August 26, commemorates the sacrifices made to propel the women’s movement forward. Let’s take a look at the significance of this day and how we can celebrate to both honor and continue the progress towards full equality.
History
To understand the context which inspired this day, we have to look back to 1848, when the first women's rights convention took place in Seneca Falls, New York. This convention sparked a massive peaceful civil rights movement by women, culminating in 1920 when Congress ratified the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granting some women the right to vote.
Despite this historic milestone, women of color continued to be disenfranchised through obstacles including literacy tests, poll taxes and intimidation. It wasn't until 1942 for Native American women, 1943 for Chinese American women, 1952 for Japanese and other Asian American women, and finally 1965 for Black women that the right to vote was established (U.S. Department of Interior ). And even by the mid-20th century, it was clear voting rights had not led to gender equality or equal political power.
This reality sparked the Women's Strike for Equality on August 26, 1970, falling on the 50th anniversary of women's suffrage, in an effort to bring renewed attention to women's rights. This event and the heroic efforts by women convinced legislators to pass "transformative laws that changed the landscape for women in school, at work, and at home" (Time ).
Women's Equality Day
Building upon these achievements by the women's movement, democratic representative Bella Abzug from New York introduced a bill in 1971, which successfully passed in 1973, stating that the "President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation annually in commemoration of women suffrage and the 1970 strike for equality" (National Womens History Alliance ). And thus August 26 was designated as Women's Equality Day.
Significant hurdles have been overcome by the women's movement, and yet, as noted by Time magazine, recent "#MeToo, #TimesUp and #SayHerName movements have underscored the unfinished business of the women who went on strike in 1970." Celebrating Women's Equality Day provides a good starting point for addressing the obstacles and inequities women continue to face today.
How To Celebrate
Inspired by National Today
Express gratitude to the influential women in your life – family and friends.
Support women-owned businesses. A good resource is the U.S. Small Business Administration's web page on women-owned businesses which you can find here .
Fund charities and organizations supporting women's empowerment like Step Up !
Register to vote to honor the sacrifices made by women and their allies for us all to have the right to make our voices heard.
How are you supporting women's equality? Let us know in the comments below!
