‘Accelerating Equality and Empowerment‘ is the theme for 2023 Women’s Equality Day. It is a celebration of achievements, and an awareness of the constant struggle to maintain the rights women already have. Or is it Women’s INequality Day, since the U.S. now ranks 43rd in gender equality.
Take a look back at the history of Women’s Equality Day.
Women’s Equality Day, celebrated every August 26, commemorates the passage of women’s suffrage in the U.S. and reminds us of the hurdles overcome by the heroic women who faced violence and discrimination to propel the women’s movement forward.
In the early 19th century, American women, who generally couldn’t inherit property and made half of a man’s wages in any available jobs, began organizing to demand political rights and representation.
By the early 1900s, several countries including Finland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom had legalized voting for women as the movement continued to sweep across the world. In the U.S., the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was first introduced in 1878, but it failed to gain traction. It wasn’t until women’s involvement in the World War I effort made their contributions painfully obvious that women’s suffrage finally gained enough support. Women’s rights groups pointed out the hypocrisy of fighting for democracy in Europe while denying it to half of the American citizens at home.
Because a Constitutional amendment requires approval from two-thirds of the states, 36 of them had to ratify the 19th Amendment before its passage. The deciding vote in the Tennessee legislature came from Harry T. Burn, a young state representative whose mother’s plea to support the amendment became a deciding factor in his vote (which he switched at the last minute).
Women aren’t done fighting for equal rights. Today, the wage gap between men and women still impacts women’s economic power, and gender-based discrimination still plagues workplaces and business transactions.
To remind us of the struggles of the past, present, and future, Congress designated August 26 as Women’s Equality Day in 1971.
Did you know that is was our own Bella Abzug (D-NY) who presented the bill in 1971 designating August 26th as Women’s Equality Day? Finally, Women’s Equality Day was designated by the U.S. Congress on August 26, 1973, commemorating the 19th Amendment.
Here are a few suggestions on how to spend Women’s Equality Day:
Visit the Park that Bears Her Name ~ Bella Abzug Park
Honoring the memory of feminist, civil rights activist, lawyers and U.S. Representative, Bella Abzug (1920-1998), the park is connected to Hudson Yards on West 36th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues.
Monumental Women
Take a walk along Literary Row in Central Park and visit a monument dedicated to three incredible women who came before us ~ Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Get to know Monumental Women.
Continue on to visit other monuments for women in our parks and public places.
Monument Women Created a Virtual Women’s Rights Trail
It is so important to learn about and honor the diverse contributions of New York City women to the advancement of women’s rights. Use this map of the five boroughs to find and visit — either virtually or in-person — locations where women’s history was made! This initial map will expand to include more women in all the boroughs. Historians, librarians, educators and the public will help develop and enlarge the future scope of the Trail.
Visit the Center for Women’s History at New York Historical Society
Here, Women’s History unearths the lives and legacies of women who have shaped and continue to shape the American experience with exhibitions and films. The Museum even offers scholarly resources for teachers. On view to July 7, 2024, Women’s Work.
Visit Pen + Brush
This 129 year-old not-for-profit fights gender equity in the arts every day, providing a platform to showcase the work of women, non-binary and female-identified transgender artists and writers. Visit online or in person in their beautiful gallery located in the Flatiron District.
Living With Art Salon
Living with Art Salon is a gallery with a primary focus on under-recognized women in the arts. Catch the summer exhibition, The Summer Salon. Living with Art Salon is located in the Mount Morris Historic District of Harlem.
Be Inspired by ‘Activist New York’ at The Museum of the City of New York
Now entering its second decade, ‘Activist New York‘ examines the ways in which ordinary New Yorkers have advocated, agitated, and excised their power to shape the city’s ~ and the nation’s ~ future.
Visit The Sackler Center for Feminist Art at Brooklyn Museum
Occupying the fourth floor, The Sackler Center for Feminist Art is an exhibition and education environment dedicated to feminist art, its past, present and future.
Visit the Lesbian Herstory Archives
On November 22, 2022, LPC voted to approve The Lesbian Herstory Archives, located at 484 Fourteenth Street in Brooklyn, as an Individual Historic Landmark. It is the first individual landmark in Brooklyn designated for its LGBTQ+ associations.
Visit The Brooklyn Women’s Exchange
Founded in 1854, The Brooklyn Women’s Exchange is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run craft and gift shop supporting independent craftspeople from Brooklyn and beyond.. The Brooklyn Women’s Exchange is a member of the National Federation of Women’s Exchanges. The Brooklyn Women’s Exchange is now located at 137 Montague Street, between Henry and Clinton, in Brooklyn Heights.
Take a ride….. Southampton Arts Center Celebrates Female Collectors
In celebration of its tenth anniversary, the Southampton Arts Centeris gearing up for an exhibition with a rather unique concept: to spotlight a group of powerful female arts patrons that are making waves in the art world. Collectors of course are an integral part of museum exhibitions—often generously lending their treasured artworks to make sure the curatorial concept can come to fruition. The exhibition is on view through September 30, 2023.
Get Out There and March!
Here’s a look-back to The Women’s March, NYC, 2018, with more than 200,000 protesters.
Who we’re following:
Emily’s List – the nation’s largest resource for women in politics
The National Organization of Women
The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA)
The Lower East Side Girls Club
Remember to support all Women Owned Businesses
Please feel free to add to our list
Purple is the color of the day, signifying justice, dignity, and gender equality.