The U.S. Congress designated August 26 as "Women's Equality Day" in 1971 to commemorate the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which granted women in the United States the right to vote. Each year a Presidential Proclamation recognizes the hard work and perseverance of those who have helped secure women's suffrage.

Celebrating ratification of the women's suffrage amendment, Alice Paul, seated second from left, sews the 36th star on a banner, in August of 1920. The banner flew in front of headquarters of the Women's Party in Washington of which Miss Paul was national chairperson. The 36th star represented Tennessee, whose ratification completed the number of states needed to put the amendment in the Constitution. (AP/WWP Photo)

The 19th Amendment, known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment after the famous suffragist, states: "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." This amendment marked the culmination of almost two centuries of women's struggle for full voting rights in the United States.

The women's rights movement originated in Seneca Falls, New York, in July 1847, when Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott initiated a convention "to discuss the social, civil and religious condition and rights of woman." The convention's "Declaration of Sentiments" affirmed that women are entitled to the same rights as men. One of the resolutions called for universal women's suffrage, and one hundred women and men from all walks of life signed the Declaration.

Today, American women are leaders in business, government, law, science, medicine, the arts, education, and many other fields. Remarkable American women have broadened opportunities for themselves and women around the world. The observance of Women's Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also recognizes women's continuing efforts toward full equality.

This year the Women's History Project, an educational nonprofit organization that aims to recognize and celebrate the diverse and historic accomplishments of women, commemorates the 85th anniversary of American women winning the right to vote with a conference on "Women Win the Vote: 85 Years and Beyond." The conference is to be held on August 26 and 27 at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Project's Equality Day Web site also offers materials and resources for communities and civic organizations to plan their own Women's Equality Day events in local workplaces, libraries, schools and community centers.

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