The St. Louis Park City Council passed a proclamation Aug. 18 recognizing Women’s Equality Day on Aug. 26. Women’s Equality Day commemorates the 19th amendment to the United States Constitution ratifying women’s right to vote. The amendment was ratified following decades of activism from women across the country. Although it marked significant progress for women, it did not include Indigenous women, Black women and other women of color. Women’s Equality Day is a call to celebrate the progress made and to remember there’s still more to do for full equality for all women.

In recognition of Women’s Equality Day, the City of St. Louis Park invites you to:

• Learn about the history of Women’s rights in the United States
  • Votes for Women means Votes for Black Women | National Women's History Museum
  • Women's Equality Day Has A Complicated, Racist History, Advocates Say | NPR
• Interact with online education tools about Women’s history
  • Five Powerful Stories That Are Perfect for Women's Equality Day | Smithsonian Voices | Smithsonian Books Smithsonian Magazine
  • Online Exhibits | National Women's History Museum

Proclamation

The Women’s Equality Day proclamation reads:

Whereas, Women’s Equality Day marks a significant event in the struggle for women’s rights, commemorating the 19th amendment to the United States constitution; and

Whereas, women across the United States fought for the 19th amendment, changing the political landscape by writing women’s right to vote into law; and

Whereas, this right to vote did not extend to all women. Non-white women were denied this progress through state laws, violence and other forms of racist barriers to vote; and

Whereas, recognizing Women’s Equality Day means also recognizing the imperfect history of voting rights in our country that has barred women based on race, language and cultural identity; and

Whereas, St. Louis Park celebrates the women making a difference in political and civic life of our city, currently including four council members and our city’s mayor; and

Whereas, this day calls for a celebration of the women across our city, state, country and world that show up and advocate for equality in the workplace, healthcare, childcare, parenting and much more; and

Whereas, challenging gender discrimination, racism and all forms of oppression honors Women’s Equality Day and contributes to our strategic priority of being a leader in racial equity and inclusion in order to create a just community for all,

Now therefore, let it be known that the mayor and city council of the City of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, hereby observe Women’s Equality Day 2025 in our community.