National Women’s Equality Day

Following the 1920 certification of the 19^th Amendment to the United States Constitution securing women’s right to vote, Rep. Bella Abzug advocated to make August 26, National Women’s Equality Day. The day is not only to commemorate women’s past efforts as organizers and activists, but to recognize the work they continue to do to fight for civil rights and equality.

Proclamation Designating August 26, 2017, as Women’s Equality Day  

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have historically been treated as second-class citizens and have often been denied 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, and 

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have designated August 26, the anniversary date of the certification of the Nineteenth Amendment, which culminated a 72-year, non-violent campaign to extend the right to vote to women, 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, that the (name of elected body or elected official or commanding officer) recognizes the commemoration of that day in 1920, on which the women of America won their right to vote, as an opportunity to continue to work for equal rights for ALL citizens.

Want some ideas to celebrate National #WomensEqualityDay? Check out this resource from the National Women’s History Project.