DNC Celebrates Women's Equality Day

August 27, 2007 -- This Sunday, Americans will celebrate Women's Equality Day to commemorate the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920. The culmination of a 70-year struggle for women suffragists, the 19th Amendment guaranteed women the right to vote.

Democratic National Committee Women's Caucus Chair Mame Reily and DNC Vice Chairs Lottie Shackelford, Susan Turnbull and Linda Chavez-Thompson and DNC Secretary Alice Germond issued the following statement in celebration of Women's Equality Day:

"We have made tremendous strides in leveling the playing field and increasing the number of women participating in the political process by electing Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the House of Representatives. Including Speaker Pelosi, 86 women serve in Congress and more than 1,700 women serve in state legislatures across the country. The Democratic Party is proud to be the party that elects a majority of women elected officials. Women played a critical role in taking back Congress by running for office and getting out to the polls and our hard work paid off. While we still have work to do, such as ensuring equal pay and compensation for women and passing the Equal Rights Amendment, we are that much closer because of the work of the Democratic Congress.

"Already the Democratic Congress is keeping its promises by addressing issues important to women and their families. For the first time in 10 years the Democratic Congress passed a minimum wage increase benefiting millions of working women and their families. In addition, Democrats increased funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program to make sure that millions of uninsured children from low-income families receive the health care they need and deserve.

"As we celebrate Women's Equality Day, we rededicate ourselves to fighting for one of the most fundamental rights in our Democracy and the true meaning of the women's suffragist movement."

Source: VOA News

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