Women's Equality Day

Also known as Susan B. Anthony Day, Women’s Equality Day is observed each year on August 26th, and was instituted by the co-founder of the National Women’s Political Caucus, New York Congresswoman Bella Abzug (1920-1998), whose campaign slogan was, “This woman’s place is in the House...the House of Representatives”. Women’s Equality Day commemorates the anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920 (the Women’s Suffrage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution), which gave women in the United States full voting rights.

Although women’s rights have been clarified in Islam from the beginning, women in the US did not have a foothold on their full rights until the early Twentieth Century. The passage of the 19th Amendment culminated a courageous struggle by American women who were determined to break down barriers to equality, which began at a convention in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. The Suffragettes won their primary democratic battle when Wyoming became the first state to allow women the right to vote in 1890, and in 14 others by 1918.

These women’s legacy lives on today throughout all aspects of American life, as well as in academics, law, athletics, the armed forces, the arts, and business. The paths blazed by American women have helped those in other countries forge new directions in civic and political life. On August 26, 2006, President George W. Bush declared, “On Women’s Equality Day, we honor the contributions and accomplishments of women throughout our history, and we pay tribute to all those who helped bring equality to women in America.”

For more information visit:
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/wed/Womens_Equality_Day_August_26.htm
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/08/20060821-3.html

What Can Your Community Do?

• Initiate a community conversation about Islam and Women’s Rights;
• Host an interfaith women’s conference with the goal of helping women of all races, religious backgrounds and economic levels to become more self-sufficient and active in their communities; and,
• Help to support or volunteer at a local women’s shelter.