Women’s Equality Day is August 26: Here’s How SMBs Can Celebrate

Women’s Equality Day is an annual holiday observed in the United States on August 26. It sometimes gets confused with International Women’s Day, which is a global celebration held on March 8, but the two holidays are different. 

Women’s Equality Day is celebrated on the anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. This year commemorates the 100th anniversary of the adaption of the 19th amendment. Read on to discover how your small business can commemorate the occasion. 

When is Women’s Equality Day? 

Women’s Equality Day is celebrated on August 26 to commemorate the adoption of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote on August 18, 1920. 

When Did Women’s Equality Day start? 

On August 26, 1970 — to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and protesting the limits placed on women — 50,000 women took part in the Women’s Strike for Equality March. They walked down Fifth Avenue in New York City. Part of the protest was to demand changes to childcare, education, employment, and abortion policies. 

On July 30, 1971, New York Representative Bella Abzug introduced a bill in Congress to designate August 26 as Women’s Equality. In 1973, Congress passed a joint resolution declaring August 26 as Women’s Equality Day, and it has been celebrated every year since. 

How to Celebrate Women’s Equality Day

As small businesses look to celebrate Women’s Equality Day, there are a number of ways to mark the occasion. 

1. Develop a mentoring program

In 2020, the number of women running Fortune 500 companies hit an all-time high, but the number is still low — at 37, just under 8% of the total list. 

Mentorship can make a big difference to help guide employees. For the employee, having a mentor provides a dedicated space to learn the ropes, get career coaching, and grow their skill sets. For the mentor, it’s an opportunity to share knowledge, develop communication and leadership skills, and grow their professional network. 

2. Raise money or volunteer for a charity 

Consider raising money for donating your time for a modern cause. Your office can spend Women’s Equality Day volunteering at a local charity, which promotes teamwork and bonding within the company. Consider donating blood, volunteering at a food bank, or raising money for a community organization. 

3. Celebrate the occasion 

There are a few ways your business can publicly celebrate Women’s Equality Day. Among them, bring employees together to explain the history of the holiday. Your business can also bring a guest speaker to talk to employees. 

Many communities across the country host Women’s Equality Day celebrations. Consider teaming up with a local organization to participate in the community’s celebration. 

Finally, use #WomensEqualityDay to post on social media. Join in on the national conversation and show what your company believes in.