Happy National Women’s Equality Day! Today we celebrate the massive, peaceful civil rights movement by women and their allies that ensured passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which granted women the right to vote in 1920.
It was thanks to the work of Representative Bella Abzug (D-NY) that we even have this day to celebrate. In 1971, she successfully shepherded through a Joint Resolution in Congress designating August 26 of each year as Women’s Equality Day.
The resolution itself is pretty powerful stuff:
WHEREAS, the women of the United States have been treated as second-class citizens and have not been entitled the full rights and privileges, public or private, legal or institutional, which are available to male citizens of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the women of the United States have united to assure that these rights and privileges are available to all citizens equally regardless of sex; and
WHEREAS, the women of the United States have designated August 26, the anniversary date of the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, as symbol of the continued fight for equal rights: and
WHEREAS, the women of United States are to be commended and supported in their organizations and activities,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that August 26th of each year is designated as Women’s Equality Day, and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation annually in commemoration of that day in 1920, on which the women of America were first given the right to vote, and that day in 1970, on which a nationwide demonstration for women’s rights took place.
Yet, how far have we come since 1971? Nationally, Congress still struggles to ensure that women are paid the same wage as their male counterparts. The United States is one of the only developed nations…heck, one of the only nations period…that does not mandate paid leave of any type for its workers. Sure, new parents are guaranteed their jobs for 12 weeks after the arrival of a new baby (thank you, Family Medical Leave Act of 1993!) but they don’t have to be paid during that time, and exemptions are few and far between.
At HMC, we’re very proud that women hold 40% of all director-level positions. We provide paid family leave, including both paternity and maternity leave, to all employees. Plus, we offer flextime to ensure that HMC team members with kids, regardless of gender, are able to maintain a manageable work/life balance.
With as many technological advancements that have been made in the workplace, from online conferences to collaborative documents, it has become easier and easier to ensure that employees aren’t penalized professionally for having families. So why aren’t more companies making it happen?
This Women’s Equality Day, we encourage you download and share these graphics to raise awareness of these issues! We have them available for you on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!
For extra credit points, you could also support one of our fabulous clients that are advancing the health, safety, and equality of women and girls in Pennsylvania and beyond…
- The Girl Scouts of Eastern PA
- Valley Youth House’s Great Beginnings Program
- ECS St. Barnabas Mission
Plus, there are tons of great nonprofits around the world advancing women’s equality. Find one that you love, and support them with your time, talent, and treasure. That way, every day can be a great day for women’s equality.