Women’s Equality Day is celebrated on August 26^th to commemorate the adoption of the 19^th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.  We celebrate women, past and present, who worked to bring change in women’s lives.  Today we see women as CEOs, elected officials, in the military, and winning Olympic medals. 

We must recognize the struggles and hurdles that were overcome to achieve equal voting rights for women.  And women’s fight for equal rights is far from over.  The gender pay gap is a reality.  Gender discrimination and workplace harassment are still prevalent in many workplaces.  But together, we can continue to make strides forward to achieve equality for all.

Things you can do to honor Women’s Equality Day:

1. Encourage Girl Power

Seek women-owned businesses in your community that you can support.  Intentionally award contracts to women-owned businesses and seek women to speak at events or facilitate seminars.  Encourage more opportunities for women.  As manager or leader, think about uplifting the lives of women in the community.

Add your name to the WHF-PA Speaker Directory HERE!  Email us at whf.pa.2013@gmail.com! 

2. Join a Women’s Group

Joining a women’s group like Women in Housing and Finance of Pennsylvania is an excellent way to broaden your network, bridge ages and professions to give access to a diverse range of voices and experiences.  

Are you a member of WHF-PA?  Join HERE NOW!

3. Mentor Other Women

Mentoring provides a safe space for women to openly discuss their ambitions. Women do not engage in self-advocacy nearly as much as they advocate for others.  Mentors can also provide personal experience with promotions and career development in general, giving women insight on navigating the process successfully.

Are you interested in finding a mentor or being a mentor? Email us at  whf.pa.2013@gmail.com!

4. Get Inspired!

 Reading some great feminist authors on Women’s Equality Day is a way to get inspired to continue the work to achieve equal rights for women

• We Should All Be Feministsby Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Broad Influenceby Jay Newton-Small
• Women, Race & Classby Angela Davis
• Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestionsby Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Women and Power: A Manifestoby Mary Beard
• Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Menby Caroline Criado-Perez
• The Women’s Suffrage Movementedited by Sally Roesch Wagner

I raise up my voice, not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard… We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. ― Malala Yousafzai