A Century of Women’s Suffrage Advances the Struggle for Equality

August 26, 2020, marks the 100^th anniversary of the 19^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, prohibiting states from denying women the right to vote on the basis of sex. Since the amendment was ratified, we have seen incredible strides by women to maximize opportunities.

Women’s participation in voting has increased over the years. Since 1998, women have voted at higher rates than men in U.S. elections. One result has been a greater number of female elected officials. In 2020, 26 (26%) women serve in the U.S. Senate, 101 (23.2%) serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, nine (18%) serve as state governors. Representation by women in all three branches of U.S. government has come a long way in the last 100 years and on Women’s Equality Day, we take the opportunity to celebrate our progress. As the renowned suffragist Alice Paul wrote in 1920, “It is incredible to me that any woman should consider the fight for full equality won. It has just begun.” This statement rings true today.  

While voting rights have expanded since the 1920s, the struggle to ensure broad and equal access to the polls for all citizens continues to this day. And, while women currently outpace men when it comes to exercising the right to vote, women still occupy less than a third of government positions in the U.S. The demographics in U.S. government reflect the trends and demographics of corporate America. Graduation rates for bachelor’s degrees among women in the US outpace men by 13%, yet just 40% of management positions are held by women. There is a disconnect between opportunities available to women through changes in the law like the 19^th Amendment and realizing true gender equality in the workplace and beyond. Structural and cultural challenges prevent women from having true equality. Workplace organizations like the Women’s Advancement, Leadership, and Success Employee Resource Group (WALS ERG) here at RTI are important advocacy groups to ensure employers and employees continue to push for gender equality.

As a co-lead for WALS ERG over the last two years, I have seen firsthand the contributions our group has made to RTI International by bringing content to employees that supports women’s advancement. To tackle these barriers, we have partnered with RTI’s Global Talent Development group to provide mentorship opportunities to our membership and teamed with Talent Acquisition to examine hiring practices. In addition to working with RTI leadership to implement changes that support women’s advancement, WALS ERG elevates women employees by presenting keynote speeches and panel discussions by women in leadership within RTI. We also promote thought-provoking discussion with all RTI staff by bringing acclaimed women speakers to the Institute to inspire our staff to work together to achieve equality.

WALS ERG is incredibly fortunate to have executive leadership that supports our mission to increase opportunities for advancement and leadership among women at RTI. It is up to women and our allies to continue with the suffrage tradition by demanding equality in all areas of society for all women.  As we mark 100 years since the passage of the 19^th Amendment, I am inspired by Mary Church Terrell (1864-1954), an African-American educator and activist who promoted the twin causes of racial equality and women’s suffrage in the late 19th and early 20th century. Just one generation removed from slavery, Mary was educated at Oberlin College, not far from where I grew up in Ohio. Mary believed in the power of knowledge and education to help women of color advance themselves and lift their communities. She worked relentlessly throughout her life with both Black and white organizations to promote women’s equality and civil rights. In 1896, she helped found the National Association of Colored Women (NACW), and the organization used her words to coin its motto, “Lifting as we climb.”  She also helped establish the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and co-founded the College Alumnae Club, which was later renamed the National Association of University Women. It is due to the efforts of pioneers like Mary Church Terrell, that I stand here today, and why, along with pursuing my own career and motherhood, I have also chosen to dedicate myself to lifting others as I climb.