Women’s Equality Day is August 26
I’ve been a woman my entire life, and I just learned about the U.S. Women’s Equality Day in my late forties. How did I miss that? I’m posting about this special day here in case you are just now learning, too. Women’s Equality Day is celebrated on August 26.
Women’s Equality Day was created in 1971 and supported by Bella Abzug, a female representative from New York. If you’ve watched the series Mrs. America, then you know that the 1970s were a crucial moment for feminism and the fight for the Equal Rights Act. You can read the full history here.
The date selected – August 26 – aligns with the 1920 date for the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave “women” the right to vote. Now, any student of history knows that the right to vote may seem accessible in language but not in practice. The 19th amendment provided the right to vote for white women, even though many women of color fought and marched alongside the white suffragettes. It is important to fight ALL women to experience equality. We still have much to do.
However, this day is also about celebrating the progress made for women and the continuing work needed for full equality across genders. Let’s celebrate women and those organizations that are actively disrupting the broken rungs and glass cliffs for women. And let’s celebrate those who came before us and paved the way for our freedoms today.
Honoring bell hooks: An Appalachian Love Scholar
Read a 4-part series about incredible women: This Woman’s Work
The picture used in this blog post is the Women’s Rights Pioneers Monument located in Central Park in New York, NY. The statue includes Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton – all leaders in the women’s suffrage movement. It’s a beautiful statue and place to contemplate the impact of these women and those not recognized. I totally recommend stopping by on your next NYC trip.
Want to learn more? Here are some resources.
The Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor
National Women’s History Alliance
National Women’s History Museum
We also offer a DEI Learning Group for White Women where we discuss historical events such as the “right to vote” and the greater reach of feminism and leadership. You can also sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to stay updated on free events and trainings.