The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution empowered women to have their voices heard in the halls of power through the power of voting. This Amendment became law only after decades of work by committed trailblazers who fought for future generations of women to have the right to vote. However, voting was not the end of the women’s rights movement, but instead, it was the beginning of a new era of advancement for women in our nation. These brave and persistent women challenged our country to live up to its founding principles of equality for all, and their legacy inspires us to continue to reach higher for this pursuit of liberty and justice.
Even before American’s women gained the right to vote, they led movements, promoted academics, were reformers, and had even served in the Congress. Legions of brave women wrote and lectured for change. They were not afraid to protest and march for what they believed in, even if it meant being heckled, jailed, and abused. Their efforts led to enormous progress that millions upon millions of women have since used to help shape our country.
Today, our Nation’s daughters reap the benefits of these courageous pioneers while still paving the way for generations of women to come. This year, the Council of Women and Girls released “Women in America: Indicators of Social and Economic Well-Being,” the most comprehensive report in 50 years on the status of American women. This report has shed light on issues women face in employment, crime, health, and family life. Now, we must work together to ensure that women-owned businesses can compete in the marketplace, women are not discriminated against in healthcare and in the workplace, and we redouble our efforts to bring an end to sexual assault on college campuses.
With all of the accomplishments women have made over this last century, President Barack Obama has declared August 26, 2011 to be Women’s Equality Day. On this day, President Obama has summoned the people of the United States to celebrate the achievements of women and to recommit ourselves to the goal of gender equality in this country.
Did You Know That…
- Harriet E. Wilson is considered the first African-American writer to publish a novel in the United States with her 1859 autobiography, Our Nig.
- Madame C.J. Walker (born Sarah Breedlove) (1876 – 1919) invented specialized hair products for African-American hair and became the first American woman to become a millionaire.
- In 1950, writer Gwendolyn Brooks was the first African-American to win the Pulitzer Prize in poetry for her collection, Annie Allen.
- Marian Anderson, a gifted contralto singer, was the first African-American to perform with the New York Metropolitan Opera in 1955.
- Politician and educator Shirley Chisholm was the first African-American woman elected to Congress. She was also the first major-party African-American candidate for President of the United States.
- Music legend Aretha Franklin is one of the most honored artists in Grammy Award history, with 20 wins to date.
- Mae Jemison became the first black female astronaut in 1992.
