August 26th marks Women’s Equality Day, a day intended to honor the certification of the 19th Amendment, the constitutional change that granted women the right to vote in the United States. Yet, it’s worth noting that while the amendment was ratified on August 18, 1920, it wasn’t until August 26th that it was officially certified by U.S. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby. This certification marked the conclusion of a struggle for women’s suffrage that spanned more than a century.
But let’s talk about the peculiar nature of that certification. Colby signed the proclamation behind closed doors at 8 a.m. in his home without so much as a whisper of celebration or acknowledgment for the countless women who had fought, suffered and persevered for this very moment. No grand ceremony, no public gathering, and certainly no recognition of the suffrage leaders who had been at the forefront of the battle. Instead, Colby chose to keep it all quiet, away from the cameras, citing a desire to avoid any public "fanfare" that might have detracted from the seriousness of the occasion—or perhaps, from his own discomfort with the spotlight on a women's victory.
The New York Times, in its coverage, noted the lack of fanfare as Colby signed the document, effectively downplaying what should have been a moment of national celebration. This understated moment is emblematic of a broader reality: even our greatest victories are often met with resistance and minimized by those who would rather maintain the status quo. The quiet certification of the 19th Amendment reminds us that those in power do not always embrace the fight for equality—it must be claimed, loudly and persistently, by those who have been marginalized.
Yet, while we often celebrate the passage of the 19th Amendment as a victory for “women,” it’s crucial to recognize that not all women were included in this triumph. The 19th Amendment, while a significant step forward, effectively granted the right to vote only to white women. Millions of women of color, despite their active involvement in the suffragette movement, were left out of this newfound right. Discriminatory state laws, violence, and harassment barred Black women, Native American women, Asian American women, and Latina women from exercising their right to vote for decades longer. It wasn’t until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that legal barriers to voting were significantly dismantled for women of color.
This history should remind us that selective equality—benefitting only a privileged few—is just another form of inequality in disguise. Jocelyn Frye, a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, aptly noted that while we celebrate the progress achieved, we must also recognize the inadequacy of this progress, especially for women of color. Women’s Equality Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the complexity of our history, where the victories of the past were incomplete and uneven, and to recommit ourselves to a more inclusive vision of equality.
Isn’t that eerily familiar to what we’re seeing today in the ongoing conflicts surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts? Just as the fight for women’s suffrage was met with resistance, today’s DEI initiatives face their own battles. There’s a constant pushback against progress, whether it’s efforts to diminish the importance of DEI work in organizations or the outright rejection of policies that promote inclusivity and equity. Just like the suffragists of the past, DEI advocates today are often met with silence or outright hostility when they challenge the norms that sustain inequality.
Since the ratification of the 19th Amendment, women have made significant strides. Women hold leadership roles in every sector—government, business, education, and science. Today, women are leading Fortune 500 companies, sitting on the highest courts, and making ground-breaking contributions in fields that were once almost entirely male-dominated. These achievements are the result of relentless effort and the tireless work of those who refused to accept the status quo.
However, it’s important to recognize that the benefits of these strides have not been equally distributed. As documented by the Lean In annual Women in the Workplace report, white women have benefitted the most from DEI efforts. They have seen significant gains in representation and leadership roles. Unfortunately, this progress has not been mirrored for women of color. In fact, the backlash against DEI efforts has disproportionately harmed women of color, leading to a regression in their positioning in the workplace. This is not just anecdotal—there’s mounting evidence that the number of women of color in leadership roles, particularly on boards, is decreasing.
This stark reality underscores that while progress is being made, it is uneven and often comes at a cost to those who are already marginalized. The parallels between the quiet certification of the 19th Amendment and today’s DEI challenges reveal that the work of change often happens behind the scenes, without fanfare, and sometimes without the acknowledgment it deserves. But make no mistake—the work is still happening, change is being made, and we're still making progress whether people talk about it or not.
When we build systems and environments that work for women, we empower people of all genders to thrive. Here are actionable steps you can take to continue promoting women's equality, along with how Step Up: Equity Matters can support these efforts:
Women's Equality Day is not just about reflecting on the past; it's about committing to the future. It's about recognizing that while we have made significant progress, much work still needs to be done. The parallels between the quiet certification of the 19th Amendment and the current backlash against DEI initiatives remind us that the fight for equality is ongoing and often met with silence or resistance from those who prefer the status quo. But silence and resistance should never deter us from the work that needs to be done.
At Step Up: Equity Matters, we are dedicated to supporting this journey through our comprehensive range of DEI programs and coaching services. Whether you’re looking to build equitable leadership, foster a culture of belonging, or develop your team’s emotional intelligence, our offerings are designed to help you take meaningful steps toward promoting women's equality in the workplace.
As we continue this journey together, let’s remember that the fight for gender equality is not just for ourselves but for the generations to come. Let’s use this day as a reminder that we each have a role to play in making equality a lived experience for all women.
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