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Celebrating women's equality Aug. 14

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Kathleen Eisenbrey
  • 15th Medical Group
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  Each year, August 26 is proclaimed by the Commander-in-Chief as "Women's Equality Day."

Women's Equality Day was selected to commemorate the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which granted women the right to vote in 1920.

This year, the Federal Women's Program, here, will celebrate Women's Equality Day on August 14, with a brown bag luncheon held in the 15th Wing conference room from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The luncheon will highlight the history of voting rights and the voter registration process.

"The Federal Women's Program would like to use this event to recognize Women's Equality Day," said Jenny Crippen special events coordinator. "On this day in 1920, Women were given the right to vote by the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution being signed. Since 1971, when legislation was first introduced in Congress by Bella Abzug, every president has published a proclamation for Women's Equality Day."

Prior to the 1912 national elections, women had equal suffrage to men in only six states. Of these states, the Electoral College in which women could vote, more than doubled when Washington and California granted equal suffrage. For the first time in history, presidential candidates of the 1912 elections treated women as vital to victory.

In an effort to promote exercising the right to vote among military personnel, a local voting action officer will present information at the event regarding how to vote via absentee ballot for the upcoming presidential elections.

According to the Heroes Vote Initiative website, military families are constantly on the go, moving from one duty location to another. For most military families, the frequency and unexpected nature of these moves have increased. If [military members and their spouses] have any hope of voting, they are forced to navigate a confusing state absentee ballot process. A recent study concluded that less than 20 percent of 2.5 million military voters successfully voted by absentee ballot in 2008. In 2010, participation by military voters sank to less than five percent.

Voters may request an absentee ballot and register to vote by completing the Federal Post Card Application (SF-76). It is encouraged that applications be submitted the January after a voter changes address or at least 90 days prior to an election. For more information, please visit www.fvap.gov.