A Closer Look at Women’s Equality Day

August 24, 2023

At AllOne Health, we are pleased to celebrate Women’s Equality Day. This observance commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, which took place on August 26, 1920, and granted American women the right to vote.

But when you look more closely at Women’s Equality Day, you’ll see a complicated history. In practice, the 19th Amendment granted voting rights to white women only. African American women continued to face discrimination and barriers at the polls, such as literacy tests and poll taxes.

It took another 45 years before the Voting Rights Act of 1965 struck down these discriminatory practices against African American women. And it wasn’t until 1975 that the Voting Rights Act was extended to protect the voting rights of all marginalized communities. 

While Women’s Equality Day is an opportunity to celebrate these achievements, it also reminds us that progress is a journey. It requires perseverance, determination, and resilience to challenge social norms and drive positive change.

As the world continues to evolve, many organizations are looking for support and guidance. AllOne Health now provides Organizational Development to help organizations adapt and thrive in our changing world.