July 2009 Vol 1, Issue 1
To Visit My SiteBarbara S. Talley, Keynote Speaker and Poet
What Does Toilet Paper, Houdini, and Mother Theresa Have in Common? 
 
Join Our Mailing List!
Greetings!
 
Tired of guessing?  Well, it's their common date of August 26th.  But, what's so significant about that specific date that we should stop what we are doing and pause to remember, reflect or perhaps even celebrate it? 
 
As an American woman, August 26th is important to me too, but, does it hold a shared value for you?   I hope so.  Do you know what happened on this day in history?  You should!  Because, while the invention of toilet paper by the Chinese on August 26, 580 is obviously significant, and the entertainment value in watching Houdini seemingly defy human logic by escaping from chains underwater at an Aquatic Park in just 57 sec on August 26, 1907 was intriguing, and even the birth of Mother Theresa on August 26, 1910 is worth noting, it was on August 26, 1920, that the 19th amendment passed and women's suffrage was granted.
In This Issue
August 26th: A Time To Reflect
Celebrate Women's Equality Day
Quick Links
August 26, 1971- Women's Equality Day
 Yes, it was on August 26, 1920 that women were granted the right to vote.  It would however take another fifty years to solidify a befitting tribute of this monumental moment in history for women. 
 
But, on August 26, 1971 spearheaded by Rep. Bella Abzug, the U.S. Congress would sign a joint declaration that would establish August 26th of each year as Women's Equality Day.  The Proclamation's intent was to commemorate the date that the law was signed giving women the right to vote. 
 
The Proclamation acknowledged that women were being treated as second-class citizens and had not been afforded the equal rights of men.  From that date on, August 26 would commemorate and etch into history the date that women received the right to vote in America. The words in the original Proclamation serve as a continued reminder to all Americans that women are "entitled the full rights and privileges, public or private, legal or institutional, which are available to male citizens of the United States."
We Owe Many of Our Freedoms to So Many Forgotten Women!
 This mammoth change in American politics in 1920 allowing women to vote would take almost three decades to come to fruition. 
 
 It had been originally proposed in July, 1848, at the Seneca Falls Woman's Rights Convention.  While today it may seem inconceivable to younger generations that a Constitutional Amendment had to be passed to allow women equal rights to vote, still, it only barely passed by a single vote. Do you know who cast that decisive vote and what compelled him to do it?  Do you know who organized the Women's Rights Convention that proposed this constitutional change? 
 
What do you know of Bella Abzug who is largely responsible for Women's Equality Day?  Celebrate August 26th, Women's Equality Day by learning more about the 19th Amendment, about the current inequalities facing women, and the history of women rights.  Learn how women organized and changed America.  Use that knowledge to fight for the changes we still need to make today.  We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us.  The women of tomorrow will stand on our shoulders.  What will they be able to see because of us? 
The freedoms we enjoy now we owe to a great many forgotten women.  Do you know of the sacrifices of Alice Paul, Lucy Burns, Dora Lewis, Alice Cosu, Mary Church Terrell, Ida B. Wells Barnett, Susan B. Anthony, Margaret Murray Washington, Fanny Jackson Coppin, Frances Ellen Watkins Harper, Charlotte Forten Grimk�, Harriet Tubman, Fannie Lou Hamer, Lucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, or Elizabeth Caty Stanton?   There are many, many more. 
 
Perhaps you'll celebrate this year by increasing your knowledge or teaching the young about the past and of the continuing battle for justice for women and all people. 
Find out what your organization is doing and support it. If they aren't doing anything, encourage them to do something and if necessary take the lead.  At the very least forward this email to five people you know using the link at the bottom of this email.  Let's make sure that everyone at least knows the significance of August 26th! 
So while we habitually pause to acknowledge Valentines Day, Ground Hogs Day, or even April Fools Day, why not befittingly recognize Women's Equality Day on August 26, 2009. We are not finished yet in our struggle for equality.  There is still much to be done.
Barbara Talley is a motivational keynote speaker, publisher, author, and poet who speaks on vision, values, and virtues themes.  She has dedicated her life to empowering and motivating all people but especially women and youth and for justice and equality for all.  Visit her website www.thepoetspeaks.com for more information on her programs.  To book Barbara for Women's Equality Day or another upcoming event, call 301.428.4831 today.