Women’s Equality Day, celebrated annually on August 26th in the United States, holds profound significance for many, including myself. As a Native American, deeply connected to both the history of my ancestors and the ongoing fight for justice, Women’s Equality Day is a day of reflection and recognition of the strides made toward gender equality—strides that have come from a long history of struggle, advocacy, and perseverance. This day not only marks a pivotal moment in women’s history but also represents a broader movement toward inclusion and the acknowledgment of the unique contributions and challenges of all women, including Native American women.
The Historical Significance of Women’s Equality Day
The 19th Amendment: A Milestone for Women’s Suffrage
Women’s Equality Day was first established in 1971 to commemorate the certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. This milestone, achieved on August 26, 1920, came after decades of suffragist activism led by figures such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Sojourner Truth, who tirelessly campaigned for women’s suffrage and broader gender equality. For many, this amendment marked the beginning of a new era of rights and opportunities for women in the United States, providing a platform for future generations to continue fighting for justice and equality.
However, while the 19th Amendment was a monumental step forward, it is essential to remember that not all women gained the right to vote in 1920. Native American women, alongside other women of color, were often excluded from this newfound right due to systemic racism and discriminatory policies. The path to equality for Native women, Black women, and other marginalized groups was further complicated by restrictive voting laws and cultural barriers that remained in place for many years.
For Native American women, true suffrage did not come until 1924 with the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act, which granted U.S. citizenship to Native Americans. However, even after this act, many Native women still faced obstacles to voting, such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation, particularly in states that sought to disenfranchise Native populations.
Women’s Equality Day: A Broader Call for Justice
Today, Women’s Equality Day is not only a commemoration of the 19th Amendment but also a day to recognize the continued fight for gender equality across all sectors of society. It serves as a reminder of the progress made while also acknowledging the work that remains to be done. Women’s Equality Day challenges us to consider the ways in which gender inequality persists and to advocate for a more inclusive and equitable society for all women, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
What Women’s Equality Day Means to Me as a Native American Woman
Honoring the Resilience of Indigenous Women
As a Native American woman, Women’s Equality Day is an opportunity to honor the strength, resilience, and contributions of Indigenous women who have been, and continue to be, powerful leaders in our communities. From the time of our ancestors to the present day, Native women have played central roles in our societies as caretakers, healers, educators, and political leaders. Historically, many Native societies were matrilineal, meaning that women held significant influence over tribal governance, land ownership, and cultural practices.
Yet, despite this history of leadership, Native women have faced extraordinary challenges due to colonization, systemic discrimination, and ongoing gendered violence. These issues have often been compounded by the intersection of race and gender, making the fight for equality an uphill battle. For me, Women’s Equality Day is a reminder of the strength of Native women who continue to resist oppression, advocate for their rights, and lead the charge toward justice for future generations.
The Intersection of Gender and Indigenous Rights
Women’s Equality Day also brings into focus the unique challenges faced by Native American women at the intersection of gender and Indigenous rights. As a Native woman, I see the fight for gender equality as inextricably linked to the fight for the recognition of our sovereignty, land rights, and the preservation of our cultures and languages. Indigenous women’s rights are often overlooked in mainstream feminist movements, which sometimes fail to address the specific issues that impact our communities, such as the disproportionate rates of violence against Native women, environmental degradation of Indigenous lands, and the struggle for access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
The day serves as a call to elevate the voices of Indigenous women within the broader feminist movement and to ensure that our struggles and contributions are not forgotten. It’s a day to reflect on the fact that true equality for women cannot be achieved without addressing the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Native women and other marginalized groups.
The Ongoing Fight for Gender Equality
Persistent Gender Disparities
While Women’s Equality Day commemorates the progress made over the past century, it also highlights the work that remains to be done. Women continue to face significant disparities in wages, political representation, healthcare access, and protection from violence. For Native American women, these disparities are often more pronounced.
For instance, Native women face disproportionately high rates of violence and sexual assault. According to a 2016 report by the National Institute of Justice, more than 84% of Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime, and they are more than twice as likely to be sexually assaulted as women of other races. The ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) further underscores the urgent need for action to protect Native women from violence and ensure that their cases are taken seriously by law enforcement and the justice system.
In addition to gender-based violence, Native women also face economic disparities. Native women are more likely to live in poverty than non-Native women, and they often lack access to quality healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. These economic inequalities are rooted in the historical displacement and disenfranchisement of Native communities, which have long been denied access to resources and opportunities.
Representation in Politics and Leadership
Women’s Equality Day also brings attention to the need for greater representation of women in political and leadership roles. While women have made significant strides in gaining political representation in recent years, there is still much progress to be made, particularly for Native American women.
Native women have historically been underrepresented in both tribal and national political arenas. However, in recent years, there has been a growing movement to increase the political representation of Native women. In 2018, Deb Haaland and Sharice Davids became the first Native American women elected to the U.S. Congress, a significant milestone for Native representation in national politics. In 2021, Deb Haaland made history again when she was confirmed as the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary, leading the Department of the Interior.
These achievements are significant, but there is still much work to be done to ensure that Native women have a seat at the table in all levels of government and leadership. Women’s Equality Day serves as a reminder that the fight for political representation is far from over and that we must continue to push for greater inclusion of Native women in decision-making roles.
Celebrating Progress and Looking Toward the Future
The Role of Women in Shaping the Future
As we celebrate Women’s Equality Day, it is important to acknowledge the progress that has been made while also recognizing the work that lies ahead. The fight for gender equality is ongoing, and it requires the collective efforts of women and allies from all backgrounds.
Women, particularly Native women, have always been at the forefront of movements for social justice, environmental protection, and human rights. From standing up for tribal sovereignty to leading the fight against climate change, women are driving change in their communities and beyond. Women’s Equality Day is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women past and present while also committing to continue the work of building a more just and equitable future.
Advocating for Intersectional Feminism
To me, Women’s Equality Day is also a call to embrace intersectional feminism—a feminism that recognizes the interconnected nature of race, gender, class, and other forms of identity. True equality cannot be achieved if we only focus on the experiences of certain groups of women while neglecting the unique challenges faced by others. An intersectional approach to feminism ensures that the voices and experiences of Native women, women of color, LGBTQ+ women, disabled women, and women from other marginalized communities are heard and valued in the fight for equality.
Intersectional feminism also requires us to challenge the systems of oppression that perpetuate inequality, including patriarchy, racism, colonialism, and capitalism. It calls for a collective effort to dismantle these systems and to create a society where all women, regardless of their background, can thrive.
See also: Why Election Day Is Not a Holiday
Conclusion: A Day of Reflection, Advocacy, and Celebration
Women’s Equality Day is a day of reflection, advocacy, and celebration. It is a day to honor the legacy of those who fought for women’s rights, to acknowledge the progress that has been made, and to recommit ourselves to the ongoing fight for equality.
For me, as a Native American woman, Women’s Equality Day is an opportunity to celebrate the strength and resilience of Indigenous women who have been leaders in our communities for generations. It is a day to recognize the unique challenges that Native women continue to face and to advocate for a more inclusive feminist movement that addresses the intersection of gender and Indigenous rights.
As we look toward the future, Women’s Equality Day serves as a reminder that the fight for equality is far from over. But with continued advocacy, solidarity, and a commitment to intersectional feminism, we can work toward a future where all women, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or background, can achieve true equality and justice.