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Women’s Equality Day is celebrated on August 26 of every year. In the history of the struggle for the equal practice of women and women’s rights, Women’s Equality Day is worth noting and celebrating. The day celebrates the anniversary of the 19th Amendment adoption passed by the United States Congress to the Constitution that granted women full and equal voting rights on this day in 1920. Women’s Equality Day invites people to bring awareness and attention to women’s continuing efforts toward full equality.
“Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong…it is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum not as two opposing sets of ideas.” – Emma Watson
History of Women’s Equality Day
The day was first celebrated in 1971. The day marks the completion of 72 years of massive civil rights movement campaigning for women’s equality. On August 26th, 1920, with the official declaration of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, women in the United States of America were granted the right to vote (suffrage). The amendment was and remains a major landmark in the women’s rights movement in the United States. Bella Abzug, who was a representative and feminist, made the proposal. Ever since the legislation was first introduced in Congress by Bella Abzug in 1971, every president has published a proclamation for the day. The resolution was passed, designating August 26 of each year as Women’s Equality Day. The objective behind the creation of this celebration mainly focused on raising awareness about the importance of gender equality in society. Thus, the day commemorates the hard work and sacrifices made by the pioneers of the suffrage movement.
The act was first introduced in Congress several years ago in 1878 at the behest of suffragists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B Anthony by California Senator Aaron A Sargent. As Susan B Anthony was arrested for voting in the 1872 Presidential elections, the first version of the amendment is usually called the Anthony Amendment. It was resubmitted many times until finally, in 1919, when the amendment had received approval from both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The act ensured that women could make their voices out such that they would bring any change. Before this amendment, several respectable writers believed that women needed no equality. But over the last century, women around the world have proved what they can achieve when given opportunities. Although there are still several arguments kept on the rights of women, the women’s rights movement has been continually working and fighting for the welfare of women. Now, women’s equality has evolved to much more than just sharing the right to vote. Various organizations are continually working to provide women across the globe to have equal rights. It is indeed necessary to celebrate Women’s Equality Day as a form of paying respect to women and giving them the right to equality.
Other Celebrations on August 26
August 26 is also celebrated as
How to Celebrate the Day
The best way to celebrate the day is by educating people about women’s equality. Encourage the women around you to come up and do incredible work for the development of the nation. Educate women in letting them know their social rights. Use the hashtag #Women’sEqualityDay to post your celebrations on social media.
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