August 26, 2013

Human equality is not just a woman’s issue. As we commemorate the 93rd anniversary of the ratification

of the 19th Amendment -- granting women the right to vote -- we realize it was women’s suffrage that has

led the rally to continue the fight for gender equality and the demand for social justice.

Women’s suffrage remains the focus of August 26th each year. It began in 1878. It passed in 1920. Its

celebration started in 1971. It still needs advocacy today.

Do we understand the magnitude of this right in today’s America? The story behind passing the 19th

Amendment tells a tale of intense effort, lobbying and resilience. I speak for all the women at the YWCA

Princeton and YWCAs everywhere, when I say this historic anniversary of women’s suffrage deserves

recognition.

Women’s Equality Day celebrates the fact that women are “assure(d) that these rights and privileges are

available to all citizens equally regardless of sex,” a mission that both the YWCA Princeton and YWCA

National support and embrace (U.S. Const. am. 19).

Women must rally together. As stated, Dara P. Richardson-Heron, M.D., by YWCA USA CEO,

“Unfortunately, many women face tremendous challenges based on the combined negative impacts of

their gender, race, and lack of economic parity. All of these issues are intimately connected. Gender

inequality, racial injustice and lack of economic empowerment, when encountered in isolation and

certainly when encountered together, create an unequal playing field that has the real potential to limit the

educational achievement, economic potential and overall success attained by girls, women and ultimately

their families. At the YWCA, we feel that in order to successfully break down the many societal and

institutional barriers impacting the lives of women, all of these issues must be considered and addressed

simultaneously.”

As we commemorate a day that recognizes the importance of women’s voices within our democracy, let it

be remembered that the issues are not all about women, but about women’s leadership and its impact on

the future of our children and our country.

Now is the time for our national and world leaders to act: Make certain the Violence Against Women Act

(VAWA) includes lesbians and immigrants; Strengthen equal pay laws for women; Pass hate crime

legislation; Extend tax cuts for middle class; Pass legislation to end racial profiling; and give our wants

and needs a seat at the decision-making table because the list goes on.

Our aspirations to obtain gender equality and promote women’s rights took a big step toward success in

1878, but the journey continues. The Equal Rights Amendment is still not ratified in most of our States.

Eliminating racism and empowering women is the mission of YWCAs worldwide because our goal is to

promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. We work every day to honor the legacy of the

champions who have come before us…too many of whom were tragically deprived of reaching their

finish line because of inequality and hate. Those champions have the names of Anne Frank, Dorothy Mae

Stang, Sojourner Truth, Alice Paul, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and countless others. We wish the list didn’t

go on, but it does, and it includes people who have suffered in silence right here in our communities.

Judy Hutton is the CEO of the YWCA Princeton. Guided by volunteers and supported by donors, the YWCA’s mission is to

eliminate racism and empower women. Judy Hutton can be reached at jhutton@ywcaprinceton.org, or (609) 497-2100.