A Call to Action for Women’s Equality Day: Vote
Posted on Aug. 24, 2023 / Diversity & Inclusion / Subscribe 0
By Lisa Taylor
In 1973, Congress designated Aug. 26 as Women’s Equality Day, a commemoration of the certification of the 19th Amendment in 1920.
I want to encourage all women to recognize this date and take action with one very simple step – vote.
Women’s Equality Day highlights the ongoing struggle for gender parity and equal rights. The journey began as far back as 1848, with the first women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, NY. Progress was still needed through the 1960s because while the 19th Amendment specifically says “the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex” (Constitution Annotated), this victory did not immediately dismantle the barriers that hindered people of color, particularly women of color, from exercising this right. These discriminatory practices were not addressed until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Despite the arduous struggle for voting rights and the subsequent expansion to include women of color, it’s concerning to note that many women today do not fully engage in this hard-won privilege. Although women vote at roughly the same rate as men, the numbers are still low. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s voting statistics for 2022, only 70% of women and 68% of men registered to vote, and a mere 53% of women and 51% of men were reported as casting their ballots. When we review women’s voting rates in presidential election years from 1964 to 2022, the story becomes disheartening. The average voting rate for women during this period is only 60%, with the lowest recorded at 53% in 2022 and the highest at 67% in 1964. Voting rates for men tell a similar story, with an average voting rate of 59%, with the lowest at 53% in 2020 and the highest at 64% in 1964.
The journey toward equality has been ongoing, from classrooms to corporate boardrooms, and yet, one of the most powerful tools at our disposal remains underutilized: the right to vote. By exercising our right to vote, we harness the ability to amplify our voices, bring about meaningful change and drive progress towards a more equitable society. As communications professionals, we can help tell this often-overlooked part of the story.
Let this year’s Women’s Equality Day honor the brave fighters of the past and serve as a call to action for the present and the future. By participating in the democratic process, we honor the legacy of those who tirelessly fought for our rights, and we demonstrate our unwavering commitment to achieving equality for all.
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