It is well known and understood that the hard work and dedication, as well as perseverance of strong women, like Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alva Belmont, Lucy Burns, Alice Paul, Lucretia Mott, Abigail Adams, but most especially Susan B. Anthony, that women have won the rights of citizenship in the United States. Women celebrate their suffrage, embrace the privilege and obligation to vote and speak their minds on issues greater than our own individual existence. It is because of the determined souls, known as Suffragists, that the women of this great nation have opportunities to explore careers, have voices heard, and challenge the status quo for the greater good. Many people have attempted to celebrate the inevitable event of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, but still without equality to other events important to our history.
Susan B. Anthony Day is a commemorative holiday to celebrate the birth of Susan B. Anthony and the Women's suffrage in the United States. The day is on February 15. It has been historically celebrated since 1920, after 31 of 48 states had ratified the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, giving women the right to vote when fully ratified later that year. In the state of Wisconsin, Susan B. Anthony Day is an established state holiday, which was enacted into law April 15, 1976, from the 1975 Laws of Wisconsin, Chapter 307, section 20. Likewise, this holiday is also commemorated in Florida as a legal state holiday. In West Virginia, this day is celebrated on Election Day on even years. However, there is no Federal Holiday.
Women's Equality Day is a day proclaimed each year by the United States President to commemorate the granting of the vote to women throughout the country on an equal basis with men. Women in the United States were granted the right to vote on August 26, 1920, when the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was certified. The amendment was first introduced many years earlier in 1878. Every president has published a proclamation for Women's Equality Day since 1971 when legislation was first introduced in Congress by Bella Abzug. This resolution was passed designating August 26 of each year as Women's Equality Day. However, even though it is proclaimed by a President each year, it is not a recognized holiday to be celebrated by government offices.
This Petition has been written for the establishment of such a holiday, to begin upon the 100th Anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment. By signing your name to this document, you are urging the President Elect to put into law a decree to this effect.
