Happy Women’s Equality Day! This is the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which 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.” 

 

So today is an incredibly important day. And I’m thrilled women now vote — in such numbers we’re likely to decide who the next President will be, and with such effect that we now have increasing numbers of extraordinary women leaders at all levels of government. 

 

But Women’s Equality Day is about more — much more — than the right to vote. It’s also an opportunity to look forward to all that we have yet to do to achieve full equality for women in this country. Things like: 

In the early 1970s’ the great Bella Abzug, Congresswoman from New York (think amazing hats!), led the charge that resulted in Congress designating this as Women’s Equality Day. 

 

Bella never would have stopped there. Nor should we — especially after the past four years, during which the federal government has done much to erode our progress toward true equality. 

 

I believe there is no better way to honor this day than to pledge to do everything in our power to get women all over America to vote this fall — and always. Only then will we begin to see true equality. 

 

There remain ten weeks until the most important election in modern America. This year women can literally change the history of our country. If we turn out in sufficient numbers, we can save our democracy and get America back on a sensible path. And while we’re at it, we can achieve our longstanding goals of equal pay, childcare, reproductive choice, and personal safety. 

 

I know you’ll be doing your part to help make this happen. 

 

Thank you to the women whose critical work and vision led to the passage of the 19th Amendment. And to the men: After all, without your vote when it mattered, women would not have gained suffrage 100 years ago! 

 

Thank you.

 

Ellen Rosenblum