Tuesday, August 30, 2022
Reflecting on Women’s Equality Day
Friday, August 26th was Women’s Equality Day; a day to commemorate the adoption of the 19th Amendment that prohibits states and the federal government from denying a citizen the right to vote on the basis of sex. Since its adoption in 1920, the 19th Amendment has had an immeasurable impact on the future successes of women and the sanctity of our own freedoms and liberties.
Recent events have shown us that, as with any right, the right to vote cannot be taken for granted. The women of this country were shaken by the election of Donald Trump while his inappropriate and vulgar treatment of women was seemingly ignored by the general populace. Most recently, the Dobbs decision; a woman’s right to safe abortion – reproductive healthcare – abolished by the United States Supreme Court.
Today, it is more important than ever to engage the women in our lives and encourage them to become politically active. It will take all of us to preserve and protect women’s rights, from healthcare access to equal pay and opportunity. In Michigan specifically, we must work to pass the constitutional amendment to protect a woman’s right to govern her own health choices. Let’s harness our inner suffragette and get to work!
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”
– Ruth Bader Ginsberg
Nancy Quarles
Chair, Oakland County Democratic Party
Corinne Shoop
Chair, OCDP Women’s Rights Committee
