‘One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman’

—Simone de Beauvoir

Women’s Equality Day is celebrated on August 26 to observe the 19^th Amendment to the US Constitution, granting women the right to vote in 1920. It is difficult to imagine in these present times that women in the US in those days had to fight for their voting rights!

Women have been struggling to get their rightful recognition in male-dominated society from time immemorial. There are instances in history where women invented extraordinary things and made great achievements, but their names have remained unnoticed. Even today, some women have to fight for their rights. So, we should lend a helping hand to our women friends whenever we can.

As the US, along with the entire world, celebrates Women’s Equality Day, let us pay homage to all those women who fought for equality and won it for us! By observing this day, today’s NextGen can recognize and honor the women who fought before us. It brings back memories of the struggle of those women who secured the equal place in society that we now share and offer our thanks as we realize that we would not be where we are today had it not been for them.

Every person on earth knows that, without women, the entire human race would not exist. Women play various significant roles in their live from that of a mother, daughter, wife, sister and teacher and so on. She bears children and helps them grow while teaching them to fight against failures and keep trying till they reach success in their goals.

We have also seen during the pandemic how women took the lead and helped their families and people, in general, adjust to the new life. In fact, international studies reveal that when the economy and political organization of a society changes, it is women who take the lead and help their families adjust to the new challenges.

The History

Prior to the US Civil War, a movement began for securing women’s voting rights. During this time, such movements as those against slavery and racial injustice had spread across the country and women played a vital role in these movements.

A group of activists gathered near Seneca Falls in New York in 1848 to discuss the issues faced by women along with women’s rights. Many men also joined this group. They wanted to extend their support and say that women deserved their political identity and were not only extensions of their father and husband. The movement soon grew stronger, but it was not before the 1890s that the National American Woman Suffrage Association was formed, headed by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. And the women of Idaho and Utah were the first to obtain the right to vote before the turn of the decade.

Celebrations

Women’s organizations across the world and the country celebrate this day and work hard to provide equal opportunities to women so that they can get an education along with employment. These organizations also host seminars and workshops to address the problems faced by women in their country. Many schools and colleges celebrate the day and students are taught about the struggle and the hardship that women faced to gain this voting right.

People also visit museums and watch films that showcase women’s struggle to gain the right to vote. People also support Bills that impact women to celebrate the day. The best way a woman can celebrate the occasion is by registering to vote on this day.