On Aug. 26, 2016, our nation celebrates the Women’s Equality Day for the 96th time. In only four years, we will be celebrating the centennial of this historic day recognizing the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave women the right to vote and to full citizenship for the very first time.

During this seven decade struggle, many fearless men and women suffered jail time, public disgrace, and physical assaults by the police and spectators at demonstrations. However, it was only in 1971 that Congress, by resolution, designated this day as “Women’s Equality Day.” This designation recognized the many sacrifices made by these women and men to achieve this ratification.

On Feb. 14, 1920, six months before ratification of the 19th amendment, The League of Women Voters, was founded by Carrie Chapman Catt, president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, during the association’s convention. Ms. Catt was a women’s rights activist and a suffragist, who stated that the vote was the “emblem of equality” for all citizens, men and women.

This year, the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area LWVFA celebrates the selection of the country’s first female nominee for President from a major party. While the League never endorses candidates or political parties, it recognizes this historical achievement for women.

The League encourages active participation by citizens. It conducts studies of important policy issues, has monthly meetings during which members discuss these issues, and uses education and advocacy to influence public policy, at the local level, in the interest of the public. It conducts candidate forums so that citizens can ask candidates questions, candidates can answer those questions and also interact directly with the public. LWVFA also registers voters and provides them with unbiased information about the voting process, issues of interest, and elections.

To learn more about this organization, please go to its website, www.lwv-fairfax.org.

If you have any questions, please contact Adarsh Trehan at PR@lwvfairfax.org or 703-795-7281. You can also contact Peggy Knight, President, at peggy.knight1@verizon.net or 703-772-4939

The League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area is a non-partisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, to increase understanding of major public policy issues.