Women’s Equality Day 2020 – You Still Gotta Fight for the Right to Vote

One hundred years later, the fight continues with a new generation of leaders…

For me, Women’s Equality Day is less about celebrating and more about recognizing the women who fought and continue to fight for the right to vote. While many think that the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920 was the end of struggle, it really marks the beginning of a 100-year fight that isn’t over yet.

After the 19th amendment was passed, the states were no longer allowed to keep people from the polls, just because they were women. However, state and local governments set up other barriers to deter women and primarily women and men of color from voting.

Those barriers were dismantled 45 years later when Congress passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Leading Civil Rights activists like Fannie Lou Hamer and Diane Nash, led the fight to what is considered one of the biggest voting rights victories in history.

Today, as we once again see the rise of voter suppression barriers, aided by the Supreme Court ruling in Shelby County v Holder, 2013 — a renewed fight to tear them down is underway with new legislation and a new generation of leaders and organizations.

Clockwise from top left: LaTosha Brown, Black Voters Matter; Maria Teresa Kumar, Voto Latino; Jaquie Algee, MarchOn; Vanessa Wruble, MarchOn

We’re continuing to support four of these leaders and their growing organizations with an additional $10,000 grant from the Michael Stars Foundation:

LaTosha Brown, Black Voters Matter

Maria Teresa Kumar, Voto Latino

Jacquie Algee and Vanessa Wruble, MarchOn.

They are dedicated to educating, motivating, and empowering new generations of voters of color. They drive voter registration, help people figure out the best way to vote, and work at a grassroots level in communities where voting rights are at their greatest risk.

The Debut of “Inside the Activists Studio”

Over the next couple weeks, we’ll be catching up with these and other “good trouble” makers to learn more about what keeps them fighting the good fight in our new “Inside the Activists Studio” series.

Our first in the series is a chat with Jaquie Algee, board chair, March On and Vanessa Wruble, Executive Director, March On. Read it here!

Pictured L to R: Jaquie Algee, Board Chair, March On, Vanessa Wruble, Executive Director, March On

Photo credit: Michael Stars