Celebrating Women’s Equality Day and Women’s History

On Women’s Equality Day, I participated in the Women’s History on the Horizon: the Centennial of Women’s Suffrage in 2020 panel at the National Archives. This event, held to commemorate the 94^th anniversary of the ratification of the 19^th Amendment and Women’s Equality Day, had two themes: how nearly 100 years of voting rights have impacted present-day political, social and economic roles of women; and what various organizations are planning to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of suffrage in 2020. The other panelists included senior representatives from HISTORY/A+E Networks, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Howard University and Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital chapter. The event was moderated by Page Harrington of the Sewall-Belmont House, which is the home of the historic National Women’s Party.

In my remarks, I explained the League’s founding, mission and current priority issues. I emphasized that while our original fight was for women’s suffrage, we have expanded that goal to fight for voting rights for all eligible citizens, particularly those in underserved communities, and to make our elections fair, free and accessible. It was great hearing from the other speakers and the incredible work they’ve undertaken, and to think about how  the League might be able to partner with these groups in the future at both that national and local levels. The descriptions of the efforts of the National Trust and HISTORY Network to highlight more women’s stories were especially noteworthy. A particularly exciting idea was the suggestion that the various organizations work together to create a Women’s History Discovery Trail. My response was: “Fabulous!”

Stay tuned as we continue the march to one hundred years of women’s suffrage and League achievements!