Women's Equality Day is recognized each year on August 26th. From the Women's History Museum, "In 1971, Representative Bella Abzug (D-NY) introduced a successful bill designating August 26th of each year as Women’s Equality Day. Part of the bill reads that Women’s Equality Day is a symbol of women’s continued fight for equal rights and that the United States commends and supports them. It decreed that the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation annually in commemoration of woman suffrage and the 1970 Strike for Equality. Women today continue to draw on the history of these brave and determined women.”
To recognize Women's Equality Day we asked some of our staff two questions:
What does women's equality mean to you?
How can we as a community better support women?
Sarah Upchurch
(She/ Her)
"Women’s equality, to me, means that ALL women EVERYWHERE receive the same opportunities, wages, and respect in public, in the home, and in the workplace. Women’s equality does not exclude any woman from any cultural, ethnic, or geographic background.
As a community we should encourage women to speak with confidence and authority, take up space, and to follow whatever path they please even if it does not align with stereotypical gender norms that are still very prevalent (especially in the Southern Region of America.) In order to support women and women’s equality, we as women should be serving as allies to our gender- if we can’t support one another who will? With the amount of gender inequality that runs rampant among the leadership of our country, our workplaces (not Matthew 25), and our society in general, we need to be the first ones to look at a woman who is brave enough to come forward when she has experienced an issue or sees one occurring and say ‘I see you, I acknowledge this issue, and I am here to support you.’
‘A Feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.’- Gloria Steinem”
LaDeirdre Mumford
(She/ Her)
"Women’s equality to me- I propose that we receive the same pay as men in the same roles. We receive the same respect. We’re given the same opportunities as men. That men, or society, do not view us as less than, but equals. Injustice to us is injustice to all.
As a community to better support women, addressing what I stated to the previous question would be a good start"
Kendall Buechler Genet
(She/ Her)
"To me, women’s equality means women having the same chances/opportunities as men. It means that the world finally realizes that women have just as much to offer as men do. It means that people will no longer be surprised to see a female CEO and that the possibility of a female president will not seem impossible. It means that it will not be harder for a woman to be successful than it is for a man to be.
I think we as a community of women need to make sure we are supporting each other. We sometimes feel inferior to men because society has made us feel like we are, so sometimes women will even think that other women are inferior to a man. We need to start seeing in other women what we see in ourselves. Women need to make opportunities for other women and then eventually men will be forced to see what women are capable are and will begin to give out the same opportunities. It is very inspiring for me to see Cyndee as our CEO and Courtney following along in her footsteps. I get to see powerful women working hard every day and it lets me believe that I could be there someday if I worked hard enough. I think young girls need to see women in these roles so that they can dream big too and not feel like it is impossible for them to get there."
Andrea Bailey
(She/ Her) "Equality to me is ensuring that every individual has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents. A nation can only progress if it acknowledges and identifies the rights of its women.
As a community we can better support women by empowering each other and educating our children on equality."
Michelle Hall
(She/Her)
"Women’s equality is hard to put into words. It is everything that I have rights to today that I wouldn’t have a few decades ago. The right to vote, own land, and get a college degree. It is everything the people before me have fought for. But it is also, what we continue to fight for. Rights for trans women, equal pay, and reproductive health care. It is treating people equally regardless of gender and extending our hand to help our trans sisters get the rights they deserve as well.
One of the most important things to do to support women is vote for leaders that put woman’s rights in the forefront. There are also other things we as a community can do like putting women in leadership positions, comprehensive sex education classes, more funding for STEM education for young women, and standing up for victims of sexual assault and harassment. There are far too many to name but those things would be a start on a path to a more inclusive community."
Riley Meade
(She/ Her) "To me when I think of women's equality I also think of equity. Meeting women where they are in life. Recognizing that we are all in different stages and phases and some may need additional support than others. I also think of women everywhere who have fought and continue to fight for the same wage as men. I also recognize all of the women before me who have stood their ground, protested and let their voices be heard to get us where we are today. However, we still have long ways to go in every aspect of women's equality.
I think as a community we can start by supporting one another and helping one another to reach and meet each other's goals. We have to create spaces for women's voices to be heard so that real change can happen and we truly see equity and equality for ALL."
At Matthew 25 we recognize women's equality not just on August 26th but each day. We will continue to provide an equal and inclusive space for all who enter any of our Matthew 25 clinics.
If you have any questions about our resources or would like to schedule a free and confidential HIV test, please call (866) 607-6590. You can also email treed@matthew25clinic.org for more information!
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