WOMEN’S EQUALITY IN POLITICAL LIFE STILL UNREALIZED AFTER 86 YEARS
League of Women Voters Marks Anniversary
of the 19th Amendment with Pride and Concern
August 26th marks the 86th anniversary of the day that the U.S. Constitution
was amended to grant women the right to vote. Today, American women now comprise
more than half of our nation’s voting age population, but according to
the League of Women Voters, the struggle to become full participants in the
political life of the country has yet to be fully realized.
The anniversary of the 19th amendment, Women’s Equality Day, provides
us with an opportunity to reflect with pride on the progress made on voting
rights in the past 86 years, including our very recent success in renewing
the Voting Rights Act.
But, it is also a time to acknowledge the work that still needs to be done.
Our democracy is at risk. Partisan gerrymandering, special interest money,
and government corruption have shaken Americans’ faith in government.
Citizen participation in government has faltered when it is more critical to
safeguarding our democracy than ever before.
Re-energizing civic engagement was the charge given to newly elected national
League President Mary G. Wilson by the League’s grassroots membership
at the LWVUS Convention in June. “The League is a unique organization
because every day, we do the hands-on work that democracy requires. Our members
educate new citizens and first-time voters about their rights and responsibilities,
we monitor our system of checks and balances, and we help protect our natural
resources. Our network of energetic and engaged members in communities across
the nation is dedicated to making an impact—from their own communities
to Washington, D.C. We need more of this kind of participation,” said
Wilson.
In 1919, as the struggle to have the states ratify the 19th amendment began,
the League’s founder Carrie Chapman Catt said that the watchword was “Eyes
front.” Wilson echoed this sentiment, “Today is a time to reflect
on this important achievement in history, but it is also a time to look to
what comes next— what still needs to be done to make democracy work for
all in our country. We know that the first step is broader participation and
as it has for more than 86 years, the League of Women Voters will continue
to serve as the place where leaders across the country and on the Monterey
Peninsula can volunteer to effect change and make democracy work.”
— LWVUS
