The Prowl

The Student News Site of Weston Ranch High School

The Prowl

The Prowl

Celebrating Women’s Day of Equality

Since 1971, Women’s Equality Day has been celebrated annually on August 26. The celebration falls on the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. The Woman Suffrage Amendment was first introduced on January 10, 1878. Although Woman’s Equality Day was last week, we will see how people fought to have this become a holiday.

It’s crazy to think that many people, especially women, didn’t have rights. To think that you would be the least respected in the room, not to be treated equally, is crazy to ponder. But, unfortunately, lots of women still don’t have rights in various countries. For example, according to amnestyusa.org, Afghanistan is the worst country for women as 80-90% are forced into marriage.

The women who fight for women’s rights are the real heroes in this world.
Women’s Equality Day was made possible by many women in the United States. Rosa Parks is one American hero as she was fighting for African Americans to be treated equally. She was brave enough to sit in the front of the bus, risking getting beaten and shamed.

According to msn.com, “On August 26, 1970, the 50th anniversary of the Amendment’s passage and a year before the first Women’s Equality Day, the Women’s Strike for Equality March saw 50,000 women walk down New York City’s Fifth Avenue, linking arms and blocking traffic. Some carried signs with slogans like “Don’t iron while the strike is hot.”‘

Story continues below advertisement

The selection of August 26, 1920, is significant because that is the day Congress passed the 19th Amendment. Women like Susan B. Anthony not only fought for women’s rights, but she was also in an anti-slavery group. According to history.com, “In 1853, Anthony began to campaign for the expansion of married women’s property rights; in 1856, she joined the American Anti-Slavery Society, delivering abolitionist lectures across New York State.”

Another woman is Alice Paul, who was the leader of many peaceful protests. She also joined many club for women rights. She also pitched the idea for Equal rights to the Constitution. According to History.com,
“In 1920, Alice Paul proposed an Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the Constitution. (“Men and women,” it read, “shall have equal rights throughout the United States.”) The ERA has never been ratified.”

I’m thankful for those brave women who fought for these rights. Unfortunately, the world isn’t at peace and may never be, but we can say that women’s long days of fighting paid off for the newer generations of courageous women.

 

Sources contributing to this story are embedded.

More to Discover
Activate Search
Celebrating Women’s Day of Equality