Celebrating Women’s Equality Day: From equality to emPOWERment

Women’s Equality Day, celebrated on August 26 each year, marks the anniversary of the certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920. This amendment granted women the right to vote, a significant victory in the long battle for women’s suffrage. It culminated decades of activism by suffragists like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and countless others who tirelessly campaigned for women’s rights.

The passage of the 19th Amendment marked a monumental step towards gender equality, affirming women’s role in the democratic process and setting the stage for future advancements. In 1972, President Richard Nixon issued a presidential proclamation, designating Aug. 26, 1972, as “Women’s Rights Day,” the first official proclamation of Women’s Equality Day. On Aug. 16, 1973, Congress approved a law that designated August 26 as Women’s Equality Day and authorized President Nixon to “issue a proclamation in commemoration of that day in 1920 on which the women in America were first guaranteed the right to vote.”

Advancing women’s equality

While the 19th Amendment enshrined a crucial victory, the struggle for women’s equality did not end with the right to vote. Over the past century, women have continued to fight for equal opportunities in education, employment and politics.

Landmark legislation such as the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 further advanced women’s rights, addressing issues of wage disparity and educational discrimination facing women. Today, women occupy leadership roles in various sectors, from business to government, reflecting the progress made since the early 20th century.

The disparity for women of color

Despite these advancements, significant disparities persist, particularly for women of color. While the 19th Amendment granted voting rights to women, many women of color faced discriminatory practices that effectively disenfranchised them for decades. It wasn’t until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that these barriers began to be dismantled. However, systemic inequalities in areas such as healthcare, education and the criminal justice system continue to affect women of color disproportionately. Addressing these disparities is crucial for achieving true gender equality and ensuring that all women, regardless of race or ethnicity, have the opportunity to thrive.

The current movement of women’s emPOWERment

The modern women’s empowerment movement builds on the legacy of past struggles, advocating for intersectional feminism that recognizes the diverse experiences of all women. Movements like #MeToo have brought issues of sexual harassment and assault to the forefront, requiring accountability and systemic change. Women’s marches and advocacy organizations continue to push for policies that support equal rights, affordable childcare and equal pay.

The rise of social media has also provided a powerful platform for women to share their stories, support each other and drive change. Women around the world are using digital tools to raise awareness about gender-based violence, economic inequality and underrepresentation. This global movement emphasizes the importance of solidarity and collective action in the journey for women’s rights.

This year at WAPA, many female employees and allies have stood together in solidarity to establish the WAPA Women’s Employee Resource Group (ERG). This group aims to connect female employees to resources that aid in professional and personal growth and help identify ways WAPA can improve female representation in underrepresented grades and career fields.

This established support network can truly change how women experience the federal workforce and help cultivate inclusion and empowerment for the next generation of civil servants through thoughtful policy development and identifying barriers to success.

Creating a culture of equality

Women’s Equality Day is a time to celebrate the progress made since the ratification of the 19th Amendment and to recognize the ongoing challenges in the quest for gender equality. By acknowledging women’s historical and contemporary struggles, we can better understand the complexities of the journey toward equality.

Here at WAPA, we are fortunate to have several powerhouse females who maintain roles in the Senior Executive Service, management and leadership, molding our company culture. As we look to the future, we must continue advocating for policies and practices that empower all women, ensuring that equality becomes a reality for everyone.

We welcome WAPA employees to attend the Department of Energy’s Women’s Equality Day event on Monday, Aug. 26, at 1:30 p.m. ET. Details on this hybrid event will be posted on the OEID Women’s Equality Day page.

To join the WAPA Women’s ERG, contact Kimberly Bentley or Neilia Abban at WOMEN@wapa.gov.