What is Women’s Equality Day?
Women’s Equality Day is celebrated annually in the United States on August 26. This date is significant because it marks the anniversary of the certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which granted women the right to vote. In New York City, 50,000 women marched along Fifth Avenue and another 100,000 women participated in demonstrations and rallies in 90 cities, 42 states advocating for the women’s movement and equal rights.
The crowd was addressed by former NOW president Betty Friedan, feminist author Gloria Steinem, and U.S. Representative Bella Abzug. The demonstrators called for equal opportunities in education and employment, as well as the establishment of 24-hour child-care centres. In 1972, President Richard Nixon first proclaimed August 26 as ‘Women’s Rights Day.’ Since then, every president has declared it ‘Women’s Equality Day.’
Who is Bella Abzug?
Bella Abzug, a formidable Congresswomen, American lawyer, politician, social activist and a prominent leader in the women’s movement, earning her the nickname ‘Battling Bella’. Bella first introduced a joint resolution to Congress in 1971 to proclaim August 26 as “Women’s Equality Day”. As this initially failed, she reintroduced the bill in 1973, and it was eventually passed by the House and the Senate.
What are the key milestones?
- Seneca Falls Convention (1848): The first women’s rights convention, held in Seneca Falls, New York, marked the beginning of the organised women’s rights movement in the U.S
- 19th Amendment (1920): This amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted women the right to vote. It was a significant victory for the suffrage movement and is the primary reason Women’s Equality Day is celebrated on August 26th
- Equal Pay Act (1963): This act aimed to abolish wage disparity based on sex, marking a crucial step towards economic equality for women
- Title IX (1972): This federal civil rights law prohibited sex-based discrimination in any school or other education program that receives federal money, greatly impacting women’s participation in sports and education
Gender Inequality: What are some of the biggest hurdles that women face today in the workplace?
- Gender Pay Gap: On average, women earn less than men for performing the same work. The gender pay gap refers to the difference between the average earnings of men and women in the workforce. Despite attempts to narrow the gap, an article by Forbes, in 2024 reported that women still earn 16% less than men on average
- Underrepresentation in Leadership: Women are significantly underrepresented in senior leadership roles. Globally, they occupy just 31.7% of these positions. In the United States, women constitute 28% of the C-suite, even though they account for 50% of entry-level roles
- Workplace discrimination and bias: A significant number of women reports experiencing discrimination and bias at work. According to a 2023 survey, 28% of employed adults believe that being a woman makes it more challenging to succeed in their job
Modern Marketing: How gender inequality is being challenged
The Imagine campaign, launched by CPB London (now Forsman & Bodenfors LDN) in 2022 remains one of the most groundbreaking campaigns for tackling gender equality in the workplace. By asking people to envision a job role or profession and then consider whether they picture a man or a woman in that role, the campaign encourages individuals to confront societal stereotypes and challenge their own ingrained, often subconscious, gender biases. The campaign transcends traditional advertising; it’s a powerful call to action aimed at reshaping societal perceptions and challenging deep-seated biases from an early age.
Game, Set, Equality: Women’s Equality Day and the Impact of Tennis
As an avid tennis fan, bias and gender bias in tennis have been evident in various aspects, from media coverage to prize money disparities:
- Prize money: The dispute at Wimbledon was a major issue in tennis history. For years, male and female players received unequal prize money. This changed in 2007 when Wimbledon agreed to equal pay for both genders. Venus Williams strongly advocated for gender equality, played a key role in this landmark decision
- Media Coverage: The International Tennis federation (ITF) found that media coverage of women’s tennis often highlights off-court topics like personal lives and health, whilst men’s tennis coverage focuses more on the sport and competition
- Dress Code Enforcement: Women have been penalised for dress code violations that seem minor compared to the leniency shown towards men. A notable incident involved Alizé Cornet, who was penalised for briefly removing her shirt on court, whilst male players frequently change shirts without issue
- Penalties for Conduct: Female players often face harsher penalties for actions like racket smashing or arguing with umpires compared to their male counterparts. Serena Williams received significant penalties for her outburst at the 2018 US Open, while similar behaviour by male players often results in less severe consequences
How can I advocate for Women’s Equality?
- Educate yourself and others: Learn about the history and milestones of the women’s equality movement and raise awareness by sharing knowledge with family, friends and colleagues
- Support female-owned businesses: Make that extra effort to purchase from female businesses and promote them via reviews, social media and word of mouth
- Advocate for equal pay: Promote policies and initiatives designed to eliminate the gender pay gap. Advocate for your workplace to perform pay audits and ensure equitable compensation
- Promote Gender Equality in the Workplace: Advocate for policies that support gender equality, such as flexible working hours, parental leave, and anti-discrimination training
- Volunteer: Engage with organisations dedicated to women’s rights and gender equality. Your contributions of time and skills can have a meaningful impact
Women’s Equality Day, celebrated on August 26th, honours the 1920 milestone when American women won the right to vote with the 19th Amendment. Thanks to trailblazers like Bella Abzug, we’ve come a long way in the fight for women’s rights. But even today, women face challenges like workplace discrimination, unequal pay, challenges in sport and gender biases.
To tackle these issues, we can push for fair hiring practices, transparent salaries, and inclusive spaces. CPB London’s “Imagine” campaign is a fantastic example of how we can challenge deep-rooted biases and work towards a more inclusive society from an early age.
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