Women's Equality Day
Honoring the women who fought for their right to vote
24 August 2018
The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote, a right known as women's suffrage, and was ratified on August 18, 1920, ending almost a century of protest.
By a joint resolution of Congress on August 26, 1971, the first Women's Equality Day was celebrated, and, every year since, each president declares this day as Women's Equality Day, commemorating the certification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
The struggle for women's suffrage was only the first step toward full and equal participation of women in our nation's life. In recent years, we have made other giant strides by attacking sex discrimination through our laws and by paving new avenues to equal economic opportunity for women.
Today, in virtually every sector of our society, women are making important contributions to the quality of American life. Women have been serving and making change in the U.S. Navy for over a century, holding positions from administration to aviation to combat.
Gender stereotypes are overridden in the Navy by determination, proven capabilities, and a shared appreciation for adventure, patriotism and hard work. In the Navy, women are trailblazers and leaders who daily defeat old school perceptions as they dominate in all career fields.
Women's Equality Day can be celebrated by remembering the women who have fought for women's equality, as well as supporting bills that have an significant impact on women. Happy Women's Equality Day, and remember: your vote counts.