August 26th is the anniversary of women in the United States winning the constitutional right to vote in 1920.  In 1973, Congress recognized this important historic date by declaring it as Women's Equality Day.

Although this is a landmark date, many Americans are still unaware of its existence or its significance. We would like to expand the recognition of Women's Equality Day by honoring both the work that has preceded us with the women's suffrage movement as well as the work that is ongoing in terms of securing and expanding voting rights.

SPECIFICALLY: We are advocating for even greater acknowledgment of the significance of Women's Equality Day and the observance of it as a national day of celebration, in order to build momentum and bipartisan support for making it the next federal holiday.

We call on our fellow citizens, government, and civic groups in every state to observe August 26, Women’s Equality Day, as a national day of celebration.  Officially recognizing this anniversary honors women’s long on-going campaign for equality and re-emphasizes the fundamental importance of voting. 

Along with individuals, community groups, organizations, workplaces, media outlets, and government agencies nationwide, please join us in promoting a national day of celebration by signing and sharing our petition. 

CALLS TO ACTION

1. Sign our petition to demand that Women's Equality Day (August 26th) be recognized as a National Day of Celebration. 
2. Send a resolution to your state legislature or city council, or a proclamation to your governor or a mayor: Find a sample Resolution to Recognize Women's Equality Day as a National Day of Celebration at: https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/resources/commemorations/womens-equality-day/
3. Email this petition to your contacts: https://www.change.org/DemandADayForWomen
4. Share this petition via social media using the buttons provided.
5. Use this hashtag when talking about the campaign:  #DemandADayForWomen

For more information about this petition, email info@nwha1980.org. For more information on Women's Equality Day and the women's suffrage movement, as well as partnering organizations, see below. 

Thank you for your efforts to demand a national day for women - Women's Equality Day!

>>> BACKGROUND >>>

WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY

At the behest of Rep. Bella Abzug (D-NY), in 1971 and passed in 1973,  the U.S. Congress designated August 26 as “Women’s Equality Day.” The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. This was the culmination of a massive, peaceful civil rights movement by women that had its formal beginnings in 1848 at the world’s first women’s rights convention, in Seneca Falls, New York. The observance of Women’s Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also calls attention to women’s continuing efforts toward full equality. Workplaces, libraries, organizations, and public facilities now participate with Women’s Equality Day programs, displays, video showings, or other activities.

NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 

According to the Congressional Research Service, there technically is no such thing as a national holiday, because neither the president nor Congress has ever asserted power to declare a holiday that binds all 50 states. Federal holidays only legally apply to federal employees across the nation and in the District of Columbia; states independently establish their own holidays or commemoration days. In most instances, Congress took the lead in creating the holiday, but in a few others, Congress acted after a sizable number of states had taken such action. A federal holiday "emphasizes particular aspects of the American heritage that molded the United States as a people and a nation." (CRS Report for Congress) Juneteenth is the first federal holiday approved since 1983. There currently are no holidays honoring a woman or the contributions of women. 

>>> RESOURCES >>>

Learn more about the women's suffrage movement:

• Print/Online Resources at https://nationalwomenshistoryalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/Final-NWHP-Suffrage-List-Books-and-Links-by-State.pdf
• #OTD in Suffrage History at https://www.facebook.com/WEDCacrossMD

ORGANIZATIONS

• National Women’s History Alliance
• Women's Equality Day Celebration across Maryland