Women’s Inequality Day

On August 26, 1920, after decades of tireless advocacy, women finally won the right to vote by adopting the 19th Amendment—thus opening the democratic process to more than 23 million women.  

Women’s Equality Day was created on this anniversary to raise awareness of the importance of gender equality and to recognize the sacrifices made by suffragists. Now, 50 years after President Richard Nixon’s first Women’s Equality Day proclamation that “much still remains to be done” for equality, much still remains to be done. The annual event celebrates women’s progress and addresses where we must go from here.

Celebrate Women’s Equality Day with our Fun Quiz

In 2022, LWVUS declared this day to be Women’s Inequality Day in the aftermath of the Supreme Court rollbacks of reproductive freedom (in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Center) and the failure of Congress to pass voting rights legislation or add the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution.  

One year later, we saw the impact of the Dobbs decision on women and those who can become pregnant. We have seen anti-voter laws passed in states nationwide that could silence voters at the polls in the months ahead. And a century after it was first introduced, we are still calling on Congress to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and make it part of our Constitution. 

The fight for women’s equality has always been grounded in the right to vote. When some women have fewer rights and access, we cannot call ourselves equal or celebrate equality. 

This August, women are standing together demanding that our rights be restored, our voices be heard, and that we ourselves be seen and treated as equals in our democracy. Together, we have the power to create a more perfect and inclusive nation that celebrates our diversity and welcomes everyone to participate. We can create the change we need and want with the power of our votes.

Our campaign will spread the word about women’s equality on social media while lifting our voices to our legislators. We are sending Congress a petition letting them know about our women’s equality wish list:

  1. Passing voting rights legislation.
  2. Adding the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution.
  3. Restoring reproductive rights.

You can take action by adding your name to the LWVUS petition and sharing this petition with friends and family.

Join the League in taking a stand and sharing #WomensInequalityDay across your social networks.

We may not yet be equal, but together we can’t be ignored.