A shout out to Women's Equality Day
With the DNC underway in Denver, and the RNC getting ready to start in six days, I think now is the perfect time to give a shout out to the 19th Amendment, which personally allows me, and all other women out there, the right to vote
That’s right, it’s been 88 years since the Woman Suffrage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave women the full right to vote in 1920.
And very year, since 1971, Aug. 26 has been recognized as Women’s Equality Day.
To me, it boggles my mind that it took as much as it did for women to be able to vote. I mean, weren’t women helping out with WWI? Wasn’t it considered their country as much as anyone else’s? But luckily, thank you Woodrow Wilson and many others, for finally getting it and introducing the 19th.
So to recognize Women’s Equality Day, I’d like to take the time to say ‘thank you’ to the numerous women who have made serious strides in everything from domestic abuse to education. There’s way to many to name, but here’s a very nice list.
Then, I also wanted to give a shout out to a few people in my life who I find personally inspiring.
My grandmother Janyce Kilborn. At the age of 82 she still works (just to keep herself busy), works out, travels and frequently visit art museums. Aside from her current status, she was also a runway model in the 40s and was at one time a journalist in New York (at a time when most women were at home raising families.) She also enrolled in NYU during her teen years and holds a degree.
My aunt Phyllis Thomson. Aside from dedicating a large part of her career to helping children read, she now continues on helping the homeless in Minneapolis by volunteering at the Dignity Center.
And of course, my mother (who used to call me Gloria Steinem as a child) for teaching me anything is possible and to always believe in yourself.
In observation of Aug. 26, I’d like to hear from reader’s. Who’s been an inspiration to you? Family, friends, anyone. Feel free to just leave their name and a description of why.
” Feminism is the radical notion that women are people.” ~Cheris Kramarae and Paula Treichler
Hurah that 88 years ago those gutsy women fought for our right to vote. Sadly our generation has not been able to pass the Equal Rights Ammendment to make us totally equal under the law and in the Constitution.