As our readers know, we are producing a blog series called “Women in Leadership.” In this blog series we’re putting the spotlight on the women leaders at AMS. AMS Fulfillment has as many women leaders as it has men, and we are proud of that balance. We are a B Corporation, and Being the Change is evidenced in all we do. We encourage readers to visit our blog and enjoy the Women in Leadership series.
Women’s Equality Day was organized to celebrate women’s right to vote in the US. For most women nowadays it’s hard to imagine a time when we couldn’t vote!! But the fact is, it took the 19th amendment to the Constitution to grant us that right. On August 26, 1920, Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby certified the 19th amendment of the United States Constitution, which gave women the right to vote.
From National Women’s History Alliance we can read the history of Women’s Equality Day
“At the behest of Rep. Bella Abzug (D-NY), in 1971 and passed in 1973, the U.S. Congress designated August 26 as “Women’s Equality Day.” The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. This was the culmination of a massive, peaceful civil rights movement by women that had its formal beginnings in 1848 at the world’s first women’s rights convention, in Seneca Falls, New York. The observance of Women’s Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also calls attention to women’s continuing efforts toward full equality. Workplaces, libraries, organizations, and public facilities now participate with Women’s Equality Day programs, displays, video showings, or other activities.”
AMS Fulfillment is happy to recognize that the US, as a country, has come a long way in more than 100 years. And, while there still may be some prejudice or discrimination in the treatment of women in the corporate world, we are an example of a corporation doing it right, with fairness and respect for all, as best we can.
This quote below is from our introductory blog for the Women in Leadership series. As you will see, it makes the point that we still have a way to go:
Fortune Magazine recently published an article about the achievements of women, stating that the number of women run businesses on the Fortune 500 hit an all-time record in 2021 of 41. This is a significant milestone but the article goes on to say: “While these achievements are notable, they’re only part of the story. Having a total of 41 women chief executives amounts to female leadership for just 8.1% of the Fortune 500. Says Lorraine Hariton, CEO of the gender equality organization Catalyst, ‘We need to tell the optimistic—but not exuberant— story around what’s happening for women.’”
So, let us say… Happy Women’s Equality Day!!!… and let’s keep moving forward!
** ** **
Joint Resolution of Congress, 1971 Designating August 26 of each year as Women’s Equality Day
- 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.