# 19

Eighty-six years ago today, American women won the right to vote, when the 19th Amendment was passed on August 26, 1920.

The day is remembered as Equality Day. I wish I could find a picture of the August 26, 1970 protest when a group women climbed the Statue Of Liberty and unfurled a 42-foot banner reading "Women Of The World Unite!".

Canadian women gained suffrage in a piecemeal fashion, some before their southern neighbours, others well after. A timeline of women's equality in Canada is here.

If you are ever driving through western New York State, treat yourself to a day at the National Women's History Museum in Seneca Falls, in the Finger Lakes region. Don't miss the home of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, now part of the National Women's Rights Historic Park. We spent a great day there many years ago.

At the Seneca Falls Woman's Rights Convention, on July 19 and 20, 1848, when Stanton addressed the delegates, she closed with these words:

We do not expect our path will be strewn with the flowers of popular applause, but over the thorns of bigotry and prejudice will be our way, and on our banners will beat the dark storm clouds of opposition from those who have entrenched themselves behind the stormy bulwarks of custom and authority, and who have fortified their position by every means, holy and unholy. But we will steadfastly abide the result. Unmoved we will bear it aloft. Undauntedly we will unfurl it to the gale, for we know that the storm cannot rend from it a shred, that the electric flash will but more clearly show to us the glorious words inscribed upon it: "Equality of Rights".

You can read The Declaration of Sentiments from the Seneca Falls Convention here.

Happy Equality Day. One day we'll get there.