18 Tweets About Women’s Equality You Need to Read Today

Today, August 26, is Women’s Equality Day in the United States, a holiday commemorating the anniversary of the 19th amendment, which granted women the right to vote in 1920. 

While this was certainly a milestone in American History, the 99th anniversary of the amendment’s passing has gotten a lot of people talking not just about how far we’ve come, but how much further we still have to go to for gender equality in America. 

In fact, the World Economic Forum estimates that at the current rate of change, it will take 208 years to achieve gender equality in the United States.  

Yes, over two centuries. 

With that statistic in mind, it’s clear that Women’s Equality Day means more than simply looking back at the courageous acts of our ancestors — but also look to what we can do together (men AND women) to achieve change at a faster rate whether that be in pay, senior leadership opportunities, or workplace bias. 

These issues are still prevalent in for marketing professionals today. Research by Axonn found that only 38% of senior level marketing positions are held by women. 

With that in mind, here’s a roundup of notable tweets of those who acknowledge the historical significance of the day, while also aiming to create even more of a reason to celebrate in years to come:  

1. 

Wait...208 years until gender equality in the U.S.?! No. Nope. Nuh-uh. Tweet why #EqualityCantWait pic.twitter.com/obl89p9RwP

— Equality Can't Wait (@eqltycantwait) August 6, 2019

2. 

On #WomensEqualityDay don't use words for women like 'empower' and 'celebrate'. Use words like 'hire', 'promote', 'pay', 'raise', 'bonus', 'invest', 'fund', 'enrich' - and DO IT. Leaders, ask for that employee pay spreadsheet, find the women, raise their pay to the same as men's pic.twitter.com/GW5UH8Gyvs

— Cindy Gallop (@cindygallop) August 26, 2019

3. 

Women in the U.S. have been fighting for equality for a long time. Today, on #WomensEqualityDay, tell me why you think #EqualityCantWait. pic.twitter.com/xsvKeRLjPT

— Melinda Gates (@melindagates) August 26, 2019

4. 

Women are half the population.

Issues that ensure our economic security—paid leave, equal pay, affordable childcare—are not just side issues or “women’s issues.”

And our rights are nonnegotiable.

This #WomensEqualityDay, let’s decide that we value women. And it’s about time. pic.twitter.com/7Un7RmIn5T

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) August 26, 2019

5. 

She said it best then, and it's still true today. #WomensEqualityDay pic.twitter.com/lwMY2ui4g4

— American Red Cross (@RedCross) August 26, 2019

6. 

Melinda Gates’ 'Equality Can't Wait' campaign wants to eliminate the gender pay gap https://t.co/gsLUUVdgDv #gender #EqualityCantWait pic.twitter.com/ePdimWtQXk

— World Economic Forum (@wef) August 21, 2019

7. 

In most of the world, the maternal mortality rate is going down—but in the U.S., it’s gotten worse. @natasharothwell and I believe the stakes are too high for us to sit back and hope this problem solves itself. We need to take action now. #EqualityCantWait pic.twitter.com/PTEUxvlLYQ

— Melinda Gates (@melindagates) August 21, 2019

8. 

On #WomensEqualityDay, I'm proud of all the women and girls who are out there empowering others in their communities to make their voices heard. Thank you all for the work you’re doing, and I hope you'll share your story with @USOWomen and @WhenWeAllVote! https://t.co/DyNel8uHtG

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) August 26, 2019

9. 

Progress for women in our country has been too slow, in large part because men don't see our role in this fight.

Advancing women's rights benefits our whole society. All of us must do our part. #WomensEqualityDay

— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) August 26, 2019

10. 

99 years ago today, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified, giving white women the right to vote. Women of color had to wait much longer.

On #WomensEqualityDay and every day, let us continue the hard work to ensure freedom and #EqualityForAll.

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) August 26, 2019

11. 

A record number of women serve in Congress today, but we're far from equal representation in government.

Let's celebrate our progress and recommit to electing more women at every level of government — including the White House. #WomensEqualityDay

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 26, 2019

12. 

In 2018, only 5% of Fortune 500 CEOs were women. In fact, there were more CEOs named “James” than there were women CEOs. Another reason why #EqualityCantWait pic.twitter.com/QbXuiafG0A

— Equality Can't Wait (@eqltycantwait) August 20, 2019

13. 

99 years ago, women finally received the right to vote. Before another 99 years go by, let's pass the Equal Rights Amendment! #ERANow #WomensEqualityDay #EqualityCantWait #EqualMeansEqual pic.twitter.com/u7HyNLFPYp

— Carolyn B. Maloney (@CarolynBMaloney) August 26, 2019

14. 

#EqualityCantWait because
➡️Women and girls continue to face harassment & violence
➡️Women are not getting equal pay for equal work
➡️Women do not have a seat at the table around the world

Learn about #GenerationEquality on #WomensEqualityDay: https://t.co/kIlPsVkIYg pic.twitter.com/AAvYglSRqU

— UN Women (@UN_Women) August 26, 2019

15. 

As we kick off the centennial year of women winning the right to vote, it is past time to amend the history books and tell the real story of the suffrage movement. Read more in @KaseVirginia's #WomensEqualityDay op-ed on @TheHillOpinion: https://t.co/doAovQ4Ask https://t.co/Hhp7EVKKdC

— LWV of the US (@LWV) August 26, 2019

16. 

With the adoption of the 19th Amendment 99 years ago, we moved toward becoming a more fair society.

On #WomensEqualityDay, we celebrate the progress we made on that day & in the years since.

But, we must also continue to work to empower all women to reach their full potential.

— Elijah E. Cummings (@RepCummings) August 26, 2019

17. 

Today is #WomensEqualityDay. I am so honored that I get to talk to incredible women on my show every day. #EqualityCantWait pic.twitter.com/zVuyWnpUv5

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 26, 2019

18. 

To achieve #genderequality in leadership, companies must make it a priority. Find out how leading organizations are taking steps to #BeEqual: https://t.co/jjno2f6Npt #womensequalityday pic.twitter.com/LZLNo7pdrc

— IBM Institute for Business Value (@IBMIBV) August 26, 2019

How can you be proactive about gender equality in your workplace? 

The United States may have a long way to go when it comes to gender equality, as a whole, but that doesn’t mean that business owners can’t start taking action today. 

The Equality Can’t Wait Campaign, founded by Melinda Gates, recommends small steps people can take today to bring awareness to the gender inequality in and out of the workplace: 

• Recognize bias: Take an honest look at any hidden biases in the workplace that may factor into hiring decisions, salary determinations, or promotions and raises. 
• Start an honest conversation: Asking some of the hard questions, like “Why aren’t there more women in senior leadership roles?” “Why are there more CEO’s named James than there are women CEOs in the US?” can be great ways to bring awareness. Big change starts small. 
• Ignite change: Speak up or start support or focus groups in your workplace that help promote gender equality in the workplace. Things like mentorship programs for women moving into senior leadership, advocating for paid maternity (and paternity!) leave, or taking action against sexual harrassment or discrimination. 
• Donate or volunteer for organizations that focus on promoting equality in and outside of the workplace. Some of these include the National Partnership on Women & Families, CODE2040, or Running Start. 

To learn more, you can visit https://equalitycantwait.evoke.org/.