Women’s History Month begins March 1. It’s a month designated to celebrate women’s achievements, talents, history, and aspirations. A month in which women’s efforts to achieve economic, social, and legal can be highlighted. So, it seems fitting to take a moment to highlight the timeline of events that led to this month with its focus on women.

The idea that women contribute to the historical record, have a history as valuable as the history made by men, and deserve the same legal and economic rights as men has always been an extremist one.

In 1776 Abigail Adams wrote a letter to her husband John who was attending a congress to discuss American independence from Britain while she remained at home running their farm and raising their children. I long to hear that you have declared an independency, she wrote, and by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could.

A sentiment to which John responded, As to your extraordinary code of laws, I cannot but laugh.

It wasn’t until the early 20th century that Americans slowly saw women’s legal status change.

The Socialist Party of America organized the first Women’s Day on February 28, 1909 on the one-year anniversary of the 15,000 women who marched across New York City demanding shorter hours, better pay, and the right to vote. In 1913 socialists in Europe and America declared March 8 as International Women’s Day, a date that continues to be observed.

The 1913 postcard on the left explains the reason women wanted to vote: For the work of a day, For the taxes we pay, For the laws we obey, We want something to say.

The American campaign for women’s right to vote began in 1848 and proceeded on a state-by-state basis until August 18, 1920 when the 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. Two days later the Secretary of State signed the proclamation granting American women the right to vote. A mere twenty-eight words marked the beginning of change in women’s legal status. “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” The amendment did not, it should be noted, remove systemic impediments that prevented American citizens from voting. Neither did it change the legal or social status of women. The struggle for equality continued.

Fast-forward fifty years. In 1971, Congresswoman Bella Abzug of New York introduced House Joint Resolution 52 to designate August 26 as Women’s Equality Day. The resolution stated, in part, that Women’s Equality Day is a symbol of women’s continued fight for equal rights, and, that the president is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation annually in commemoration of women’s suffrage.

In 1978 the Celebration of International Women’s Day morphed into a Women’s History Week. Nine years later, in 1987, the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to pass Public Law 100-9 to designate the entire month of March as Women’s History Month.

“If they don’t give you seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” — Shirley Chisholm

In 1968, Shirley Chisholm began her first term in the United States Congress. She was the first African American woman to serve in Congress, and in 1972 became the first woman and first African American to seek nomination as president of the United States.

During her tenure in Congress, Chisholm championed racial and gender equality, fought poverty, and opposed the war in Vietnam. In her later years, Chisholm said, “I want to be remembered as a woman who dared to be a catalyst for change.”

Women’s History Month is a time to remember the courage and accomplishments of women from all walks of life. Today’s blog is the first of three blogs for Women’s History Month. The movement to establish Home Economics as a profession is the topic of my next blog. And the last will touch on the social trend of trad wife, a movement based in current social media.

Illustrations & A Few Sources

We Can Do it by J. Howard Miller 1942; Abigail Adams by Benjamin Blyth 1766; Votes for Women Postcard c1913; Bella Abzug, 1970s; Shirley Chisholm, 1972. Women’s Equality Day. National Women’s History Museum. Aug. 26, 2013. Debra Michals. “Shirley Chisholm.” National Women’s History Museum. 2015.

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The post March is Women’s History Month first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.

The fight for women’s equality in the United States began at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848. Advocates worked tirelessly circulating petitions, holding rallies and conventions, and marching in public parades. In this parade, 20,000 women marched in New York City, many of them wearing white as a symbol of purity. Supporters hoped women would clean up politics and government.

The text of the Nineteenth Amendment is brief: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.

The amendment went to the states for ratification in 1919. Supporters fanned out across the country in a state-by-state struggle. Tennessee completed the ratification process on August 18, 1920. On August 26, 1920 the Nineteenth Amendment became law. Women could vote, but not much changed.

FEMINISM: THE SECOND WAVE

In 1960 Betty Friedan published The Feminine Mystique, setting off what many call feminism’s second wave. This time women pushed for full equality in all areas of life. In 1966 leading feminists founded the National Organization for Women.

Four years later, 50,000 women marched in the Women’s Strike for Peace and Equality, the first major women’s march since the suffragettes. The march was a symbolic gesture and work stoppage meant to draw attention to the unequal distribution of domestic labor, and to bring three goals into focus: free abortion on demand, equal opportunity in employment and education, and childcare centers open 24/7. Title IX, requiring equal educational opportunity, passed in 1972.

Feminists also pressed for the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution. First promoted by Alice Paul and the National Women’s Party in 1923, Representative Bella Abzug introduced the bill in 1971. It passed both the House and Senate, and went to the states for ratification. [Ultimately, the amendment failed to achieve ratification by three-fourths of the states.]

In 1971 Representative Abzug also introduced a bill to recognize August 26 of each year as WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY. The bill passed as a Joint Resolution of Congress.

WHEREAS, the women of the United States have been treated as second-class citizens and have not been entitled the full rights and privileges, public or private, legal or institutional, which are available to male citizens of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the women of the United States have united to assure that these rights and privileges are available to all citizens equally regardless of sex; and
WHEREAS, the women of the United States have designated August 26, the anniversary date of the certification of the Nineteenth Amendment, as symbol of the continued fight for equal rights: and
WHEREAS, the women of United States are to be commended and supported in their organizations and activities,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that August 26th of each year is designated as Women’s Equality Day, and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation annually in commemoration of that day in 1920, on which the women of America were first given the right to vote, and that day in 1970, on which a nationwide demonstration for women’s rights took place.

BELLA SAVITZKY ABZUG, also known as Battling Bella was a practical leader in the cause of women’s rights. She joined the New York Bar in 1945, not a time when professional women were welcome. Abzug participated in the civil rights and anti-war movements as well as the women’s movement. She served in the House of Representatives from 1971 to 1976. Her campaign slogan: “This woman’s place is in the House – the House of Representatives.” Bella’s hats became famous. When asked why she persisted in wearing them, Bella said that when she entered the work force, “Working women wore hats. It was the only way they would take you seriously.”

Famous quotes by Bella Abzug:

“The test for whether or not you can hold a job should not be the arrangement of your chromosomes.”

“I prefer the word ‘homemaker,’ because ‘housewife’ always implies that there may be a wife someplace else.”

“We are coming down from our pedestal and up from the laundry room.”

Sunday is Women’s Equality Day. Someday it will be Equality Day everyday.

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Illustrations:

Suffrage Parade in New York City, Oct. 23, 1915. Public Domain.

Tennessee Governor Albert H. Roberts certifies state ratification of 19^th Amendment. Aug. 24, 1920. Public domain.

Poster for Women’s Strike, Aug. 26, 1970. Public Domain.

Bella Abzug. Public Domain.

Women’s Equality Day. National Women’s History Project.

Linda Charlton. “Women March Down Fifth in Equality Drive.” New York Times. Aug. 27, 1970.

Sari Rosenberg. “August 26, 1970.” My Lifetime. Aug. 26, 2017.

The post Women’s Equality Day first appeared on Sandra Wagner-Wright.