Women’s Equality Day
Women’s Equality Day, recognized annually on August 26th, commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1920. Women’s Equality Day was first designated in 1971, when Representative Bella Abzug introduced a resolution following the 1970 Strike for Equality. The Strike for Equality was the largest gender-parity protest in the history of the United States, led by the National Organization for Women, with over 100,000 participants nationwide. Women demanded equal opportunity in education and employment, as well as better access to childcare, by marching, demonstrating, and striking. The Strike for Equality drew significant attention to the women’s rights movement; so much so that the New York Times published its first article about the movement at the time.
Today, Women’s Equality Day is a moment to acknowledge a major victory while also reflecting on the ongoing work needed to ensure that every person, regardless of sex, has equal access and representation in civic life.
Suffragettes in America fought throughout the 18th and 19th centuries to secure women's right to vote. The movement began in 1848 at the first Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York, attended by over 300 people. The convention produced a “Declaration of Sentiments” modeled after the Declaration of Independence, outlining the rights of American women that had been infringed upon, including the right to vote. Following this were marches, strikes, and other campaigns led by activists such as Harriet Tubman, Ida B. Wells, Alice Paul, Sojourner Truth, Lucy Burns, and other women and groups who fought for equality.
The fight for women’s rights progressed alongside efforts to end slavery and secure the rights of Black Americans. While the 19th Amendment prohibited voting discrimination based on sex, it did not secure the right to vote for all women. After 1920, women of color remained disenfranchised due to poll taxes, literacy tests, intimidation, and more. It was not until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that voting rights were fully realized for many women of color.
Securing the right to vote was a massive success, but American women still faced significant cultural, social, political, and economic barriers to fair treatment. The second, third, and fourth waves of feminism from the 1960s into the 21st century have continued to propel the fight for women's rights forward. Women and their allies continue to fight for the right to equal pay, protection against discrimination and harassment, access to healthcare, education, and more.
Women’s Equality Day is a reminder of this ongoing effort to advocate for women’s rights. It is a day to celebrate past achievements and honor the courage of those who came before us in the progression towards equal rights, opportunity, and representation. On Women’s Equality Day, support this effort by donating to charities that support women, volunteering at local women’s organizations, supporting legislation that advances women's rights, and remembering the important history of women’s suffrage in the United States.
At the Office of Civil Rights & Title IX, we believe that when people feel a true sense of belonging, they are better able to reach their full potential and succeed. We are committed to uplifting each Jayhawk by fostering a culture where each person is seen, heard, and valued. Honoring a variety of identities, cultures, and observances allows us to make the University of Kansas a welcoming place for everyone. To learn more, visit: civilrights.ku.edu.