Aug. 26 is Women’s Equality Day
Date Posted: 8/24/2023
A woman suffrage amendment was introduced Jan. 10, 1878, but the passing of women’s ability to vote in elections did not come until Aug. 26, 1920, nearly 42 years later.
In 1971, a bill, introduced by Rep. Bella Abzug, was signed into law recognizing Aug. 26 as Women’s Equality Day, marking the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The history of the fight for women’s equality did not stop there. When the 19th Amendment was ratified, it took the approval of two-thirds of states. Tennessee became the final state to ratify the amendment and did so by just one vote, according to the National Women’s History Museum. However, women of color were not allowed to vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
On the anniversary of the 19th amendment’s ratification in 1970, the National Organization for Women and Betty Friedan held a Women’s Strike for Equality which sought equal employment and education opportunities, as well as 24-hour childcare centers, according to the National Women’s History Museum. In the education field, teachers filed a lawsuit against the New York City Board of Education demanding gender equality in administration positions.
In 2022, President Joe Biden made a proclamation on Women’s Equality Day. As a part of his proclamation, he said this, “With the ratification of the 19th Amendment, millions of women across the country were finally able to make their voices heard in our elections. Yet many women of color who helped lead the universal suffrage movement were effectively denied those rights until the Voting Rights Act passed 45 years later. Women are less likely to have time to vote in-person with increased caregiving demands and a disproportionate share of low-wage, inflexible work. The right to vote and to have that vote counted is essential to the future of our democracy.”
Kidskonnect offers educational resources about Women’s Equality Day including facts and a worksheet that can be used in the classroom. This kit does require a premium subscription with their service.
Study.com also contains educational resources about Women’s Equality Day that members of that service can utilize as well.
ATPE has covered the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment and the celebration of Women’s History Month in the past. You can read both blogs by clicking the respective links.
Speaking of elections, make sure you are registered to vote in the upcoming elections this year. If you are unsure, you can check your voter registration status at VoteTexas.gov.
In 1971, a bill, introduced by Rep. Bella Abzug, was signed into law recognizing Aug. 26 as Women’s Equality Day, marking the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The history of the fight for women’s equality did not stop there. When the 19th Amendment was ratified, it took the approval of two-thirds of states. Tennessee became the final state to ratify the amendment and did so by just one vote, according to the National Women’s History Museum. However, women of color were not allowed to vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
On the anniversary of the 19th amendment’s ratification in 1970, the National Organization for Women and Betty Friedan held a Women’s Strike for Equality which sought equal employment and education opportunities, as well as 24-hour childcare centers, according to the National Women’s History Museum. In the education field, teachers filed a lawsuit against the New York City Board of Education demanding gender equality in administration positions.
In 2022, President Joe Biden made a proclamation on Women’s Equality Day. As a part of his proclamation, he said this, “With the ratification of the 19th Amendment, millions of women across the country were finally able to make their voices heard in our elections. Yet many women of color who helped lead the universal suffrage movement were effectively denied those rights until the Voting Rights Act passed 45 years later. Women are less likely to have time to vote in-person with increased caregiving demands and a disproportionate share of low-wage, inflexible work. The right to vote and to have that vote counted is essential to the future of our democracy.”
Kidskonnect offers educational resources about Women’s Equality Day including facts and a worksheet that can be used in the classroom. This kit does require a premium subscription with their service.
Study.com also contains educational resources about Women’s Equality Day that members of that service can utilize as well.
ATPE has covered the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment and the celebration of Women’s History Month in the past. You can read both blogs by clicking the respective links.
Speaking of elections, make sure you are registered to vote in the upcoming elections this year. If you are unsure, you can check your voter registration status at VoteTexas.gov.