Women's Equality Day

by Lilly Gioia

Here’s a fun fact – on January 10, 1878 the women’s suffrage amendment was first introduced. 42 years later for Tennessee became the 36th and final state granting women the right to vote on August 24, 1920. By the way it passed by the huge majority of one vote!

The 19th Amendment permitting women to vote was ratified on August 26th 1920 which has been celebrated as Women’s Equality Day since 1971. 50 years later on August 26, 1970, Betty Friedan and the National Organization for Women organized a nation-wide strike for equality. Women across the political spectrum joined together to demand equal opportunities in employment and education as well as 24-hour child-care centers.

This was the largest protest for gender equality in United States' history. There were demonstrations and rallies in more than 90 major cities and small towns. Over 100,000 women participated including 50,000 who marched down 5th Avenue in New York City.

Which brings us to August 26, 2024 women’s equality and where are we? New research by the Commonwealth fund in July found that women in the United States face the lowest life expectancy in nearly 20 years!

The Commonwealth senior scientist said, “The state of health care for women in this country is in a vulnerable place,” noting big differences across states in women’s ability to access care. American women’s health care has become a political football.
On the positive side the Biden administration has invested massive resources as never before in researching women’s life-span health issues like osteoporosis, post menopausal conditions like heart attacks, the #1 killer of women, Alzheimer's disease with 2/3 Alzheimer victims being women. The administration’s is also issuing a new rule to improve maternity care in all hospitals. It’s the first real effort to address America's maternal death rate, that is double that of other industrialized countries.

In June the Pennsylvania house passed the protecting access to contraception act –H.B.1140. Nationally republicans have blocked legislation to guarantee the right to birth control no matter where you live. Our pa bill went to the senate for consideration to protect us here no matter what happens in Washington. To celebrate Women’s Equality Day contact your PA senator and ask them support HB1140, Pennsylvania the Protecting Access to Contraception Act.