How America Finally Caught Up to the World

August 26th marks Women’s Equality Day in the United States. This commemorates when women gained the right to vote through the 19th Amendment – but America was surprisingly late to the party.

• 1893: New Zeeland becomes the first country to give women the right to vote
• 1920: The United States finally guarantees the right to vote to all women, with limitations.

 

America Was Behind: The Global Women’s Right to Vote Timeline

At least 20 nations preceded the U.S. in granting women the right to vote, making Women’s Equality Day a long-overdue celebration. New Zealand led the world in 1893, followed by Australia in 1902 and Finland in 1906.

While these countries recognized a woman’s right to vote, American women waited another 27 years after New Zealand for their Women’s Equality moment.

 

The 72-Year American Battle for Women’s Right to Vote

The movement sparked in 1848 at Seneca Falls, New York. Elizabeth Cady Stanton stood before 300 people demanding women deserved the vote.

Most attendees gasped. Even women thought the idea was too extreme for women’s voting rights to ever exist.

Why America Resisted Women’s Right to Vote

Opponents had “logical” arguments against women’s right to vote. Women were too emotional for politics. Politics would corrupt women’s pure nature.

The real reason was simpler: power. Male politicians feared losing control, delaying Women’s right to vote for decades.

 

Suffragettes Changed the Women’s Equality Day Game

By 1900, a new generation took charge. Susan B. Anthony had been arrested for voting illegally. Alice Paul brought British protest tactics to America.

“Mr. President, how long must women wait for liberty?” became the rallying cry for the right to vote movement.

 

Prison Made the Women’s Right to Vote Movement Stronger

Suffragettes faced arrest, force-feeding, and brutal treatment. The “Silent Sentinels” picketed the White House daily.

Prison conditions were horrific. Guards denied medical care. Food was inedible.

Yet these women persisted in fighting for Women’s Equality Day. Each arrest brought more media attention.

World War I Accelerated Women’s Right to Vote

President Wilson called World War I a fight for democracy abroad. Suffragettes saw the irony regarding women’s right to vote.

How could America spread democracy while denying half its citizens voting rights? European allies already recognized women’s right to vote.

The protests embarrassed Wilson internationally, finally pushing America toward giving women the right to vote.

 

The 19th Amendment Created Women’s Equality Day

The House passed the 19th Amendment in 1919. The Senate followed months later.

Tennessee became the deciding vote. Harry Burn, age 24, received a letter from his mother urging support for women’s suffrage.

Burn switched his vote. The 19th Amendment passed by one vote, creating Women’s Equality Day.

 

Women’s Equality Day Impact Was Immediate

Twenty-six million women could suddenly vote and politicians scrambled to win female support.

Campaign strategies changed overnight. Issues like child welfare and education gained prominence.

The electorate doubled virtually overnight thanks to Women’s Equality Day, finally bringing America in line with progressive nation.

 

Why Women’s Equality Day Matters Today

Women’s Equality Day proves that determined people can change systems. The women’s right to vote movement shows persistence pays off.

Every vote you cast honors those who fought for that right. Every civic participation continues the Women’s Equality Day legacy.

Register. Vote. Participate. Democracy depends on it, just as Women’s Equality Day reminds us.

Ready to honor the Women’s Equality Day legacy? Check your voter registration status today. Your voice matters as much as the suffragettes who created this historic victory.