Tomorrow is Women’s Equality Day.
But, shouldn’t women be equal EVERY day?
On August 26, 1920, American women received the right to vote upon the certification of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution. In 1971, Congress proclaimed August 26 as Women’s Equality Day, in commemoration of that day.
We’ve had the right to vote for 96 years. Why are women still paid 70¢ for every $1 that men earn? Why are we fighting to make decisions about what happens to our own bodies? Why are we not true equals?
These are some things to think about, on August 26 — just 27 days before we get to use that right to vote in the NH primaries.
Joint Resolution of Congress, 1971, Designating 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;
- 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 26 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.