Women’s Equality Day

Make Together

Today we celebrate Women’s Equality Day! 100 years ago women were granted the right to vote in America’s elections. Before that, only most men were allowed to vote. Many people thought this was wrong and worked together to change the law. After more than 50 years of fighting for women’s voting rights, on August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed giving women the right to vote. 

Why is it important to vote? Voting is a way to include many people’s opinions when making a group decision. For example, this November we will be voting for the President of the United States! It’s a big deal because the president is America’s top leader and makes decisions for our country. As a democracy, our country decides things as a group, so it is important for all adults to help chose our leaders by voting! Voting allows every voice to be heard. Find more information about voting here. First-time voters, watch this video!

Want an easy resource on how to teach kids about voting? Check out this helpful link from KinderCare.

Who advocates for equal voting rights? A “Suffragist”! The term comes from the word “suffrage” which means the right to vote, especially in a political election. Check out the poster below to meet suffragists from the past. Which one are you most like?

Image from ‘Right to Vote’ exhibition, © Children’s Museum of Manhattan 2020 (Click to enlarge)

Suffragists worked hard together to change our country’s voting laws. They protested in the streets, gave speeches, and sometimes even got arrested in order to get their message out. It is very important to continue to update our country’s laws and to speak out for the changes we would like to see. Even back in 1920, not all women were given the right to vote with the 19th Amendment. There were still restrictive laws that discriminated against people of color. It wasn’t until as recently as 1965 when the Voting Rights Act was passed that those laws changed. It is important to understand our country’s history, the progress that has been made this far, and how we can continue to work together for positive change! 

What issues do you or your family care about? Which issues do you want our President to take on? What change is still needed today? Talk together with your friends and family and make sure your grownups are registered to vote!

Let’s check out these 2 Suffragists who used their voice to speak out and spread the word about women’s equality:

Image from ‘Right to Vote’ exhibition, © Children’s Museum of Manhattan 2020 (Click to enlarge)

Image from ‘Right to Vote’ exhibition, © Children’s Museum of Manhattan 2020 (Click to enlarge)

Did you ever speak out for yourself or a friend when you felt something wasn’t right? Today, let’s speak out for women and the right to vote by making a button!

Click to enlarge

1. Grab a recycled lid from a plastic container or jar.
2. Trace your lid on a piece of paper so you have a circle the same size as your lid.
3. Think about a saying or slogan that you want the world to know! Here are some examples for Women’s Equality Day:
   • Vote!
   • Girls rule!
   • Girl power!
   • The future is female!
   • Equal rights for women!
   • Empowered women empower women!
4. After you have a saying in mind, write it inside the circle on your paper.
5. Color your saying.
6. Cut out your circle.
7. Glue your circle on the inside of the lid.
8. If you want, you can add streamers to the bottom of your button by coloring a sheet of paper, cutting it into strips, and gluing them on the back of your button so they dangle below.
9. Tape a safety pin to the back of your button with the pointy end out.
10. Wear your button to spread your message!