#WomensEqualityDay

Today marks the 45th annual Women’s Equality Day, a day to commemorate the passing of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, and to bring attention to the continued fight for full gender equality. The day began in 1971 under the direction of Representative Bella Abzug (D-NY).

Joint Resolution of Congress, 1971Designating August 26 of each year as Women’s Equality Day
WHEREAS, the women of the United States have been treated as second-class citizens and have not been entitled the full rights and privileges, public or private, legal or institutional, which are available to male citizens of the United States; and  

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have united to assure that these rights and privileges are available to all citizens equally regardless of sex; and 

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have designated August 26, the anniversary date of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, as symbol of the continued fight for equal rights: and 

WHEREAS, the women of United States are to be commended and supported in their organizations and activities, 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that August 26th of each year is designated as Women’s Equality Day, and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation annually in commemoration of that day in 1920, on which the women of America were first given the right to vote, and that day in 1970, on which a nationwide demonstration for women’s rights took place. 

 
A Stowe House visitor reflects on Stowe and the rights of women

How will you celebrate Women’s Equality Day? In what ways was Harriet Beecher Stowe a pioneer in women’s rights? In what ways can we use Women’s Equality Day to bring light to not just gender inequality but racial, economic, and global inequalities?