Seneca Falls Convention

The first women's rights convention organized by women, including suffragists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, was held at Seneca Falls, New York. The meeting of over 300 activists sparked the movement that led to the passage of the 19th Amendment.

First birth control clinic in the U.S. opens

Margaret Sanger opens America's first birth control clinic in Brooklyn. The clinic survived multiple government raids before closing, and Sanger's efforts led to the creation of today's Planned Parenthood.

American women gain the right to vote

The U.S. Congress adopts the 19th amendment, also known as the “Susan B. Anthony Amendment,” giving women the right to vote.

Roe v. Wade

In a historic decision in the Roe v. Wade case, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed women's constitutional right to abortion.

The U.S. Congress designated August 26 as Women’s Equality Day in 1973 in order to commemorate the 19th amendment.

Ways to celebrate Women’s Equality Day at work includes giving cards to the women in your office%2c taking a moment to acknowledge the hard work they do%2c and throwing a girls’ night happy hour.

Congress passed the 19th Amendment as a result of the hard work and dedication put in by the women’s suffrage movement.

We all depend on hardworking women — moms%2c grandmas%2c partners%2c sisters%2c and friends. Take some time today to thank them for all the physical and emotional labor they do for others!

Use your consumer power to support female entrepreneurs. You can find lists of women-owned businesses on the Small Business Administration’s website or by reaching out to your local chamber of commerce.

Women and their allies fought for decades to win the right to vote. Do your part to honor their sacrifices by making sure you’re registered to vote in your community.

Take some time on Women’s Equality Day to brush up on your women’s history and learn about the complicated and fascinating history of women’s rights in the U.S. and internationally.

It’s not always easy to remember to thank those who do so much for us. Use Women’s Equality Day as a reminder to do something meaningful for the important women in your life.

Despite many advances in the last century and a half%2c women in the U.S. and around the world still face professional obstacles%2c domestic violence%2c and other barriers to their well-being and success.