The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion only underscores how much work remains ahead.

Opinion by Susannah Lee Kandikatti and Rosemarie Mueller, LWVHC Member and past President

Women’s Equality Day commemorates the passing of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote, and also highlights the ongoing effort in advancing equality in all sectors of society.

The amendment was first introduced in 1878, ratified on Aug. 18, 1920, and certified on Aug. 26, 1920. In 1973, the U.S. Congress designated August 26th Women’s Equality Day.

The women’s suffrage movement was a long process that took decades of dedicated, passionate, and committed communities. It was not a smooth process, however, as race and class divisions played a role in advancing the women’s right to vote.

In 1920 only white women were given the right to vote and women of color remained disenfranchised. Although women of color now have the right to vote, barriers still remain and the work continues.

August 2020 marked the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th amendment and among the celebratory sentiments there were also important reflections recognizing that it was a time to commemorate, but not necessarily celebrate.

Women’s Equality Day is a reminder that we have made strides, but also that much work still needs to be done today.

Read the full article online at Honolulu Civil Beat or as a PDF.