Actions Speak Louder than Words
Reflections on the Presidential Proclamation for Women’s Equality Day
By: Heather Arnet, CEO, Women and Girls Foundation
Last week, President Obama declared August 26th “Women’s Equality Day” to celebrate the 91st anniversary of the 19th amendment (guaranteeing women the right to vote). While this ceremonial day of reverence and reflection is important, actions speak far louder than words. And lately the actions of Congress, State Legislatures, and even the White House have created some real concerns for advocates for women’s equality.
In his Proclamation, President Obama stated his commitment to advancing equality for all and called upon Americans to celebrate “the achievements of women and (to) recommit ourselves to the goal of gender equality in this country.” Of course we strongly applaud this sentiment, but women need more than impassioned prose – we need to know that the President has our backs and that he will fight to defend and expand our rights and services in this country.
Many in Congress and state legislatures are waging a war on women in this country. The advances we have made since the passage of the 19th amendment – public policies and social services which our foremothers fought so courageously for – are currently under attack. Recent state and federal budget cuts have been aimed squarely at eliminating women’s rights, jobs, healthcare, and social services. These cuts threaten to dramatically jeopardize the economic security of women and the civil liberties of all Americans.
In recognition of the anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote, and the anniversary of the 1963 civil rights march on Washington, a coalition of women’s organizations, representing millions of women across the country, announced plans to counter the attacks on women’s economic and health security through a new multi-organization effort, HERvotes. The goal is to mobilize women voters in 2012 around preserving women’s Health and Economic Rights (HER rights.). The Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania is proud to partner with our national sisters in championing this effort.
“Current attacks against Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act and Title X are attacks against women, plain and simple,” said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority. “It’s unjust to prioritize Wall Street corporations over Main Street women and families as some leaders are doing now.”
HERvotes has released a list of the top 10 historic laws that impacted women’s lives and security, but are now in danger of being weakened, cut or eliminated by extremist policies at the federal, state and local levels. This top 10 list of health and economic security cornerstones includes the Social Security Act, Medicare, Medicaid, Title X (the National Family Planning Program), Equal Pay Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Affordable Care Act. The full list is available here: http://msmagazine.com/HERvotes/.
The Women and Girls Foundation will be launching an updated version of our website mid-September and in our “Take Action” section you will be able to access up to date information (and advocacy actions) on how to help advance these HERvotes efforts to protect women’s rights at the federal level, and review more local actions at our state and county levels being led by WGF and WGF grantees.
It is nice to declare August 26th “Women’s Equality Day.” But, let’s remember that the best way we can honor the waves of feminists and civil rights leaders who came before us is to protect their legacy and to continue to work to advance equal rights for all – making everyday Women’s Equality Day.
Heather Arnet is the Chief Executive Officer of The Women and Girls Foundation and can be reached at heather@wgfpa.org.