In 1973, Congress passed a bill for the last Thursday of August to be dedicated to the recognition of the struggle that women have endured for centuries. This is National Women’s Equality Day takes place on August 26 and celebrates the 101^st anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment, which was passed August 18, 1920 to allow women in America to vote.

Women had been treated as the second class for centuries. It wasn’t until 1848 at the Seneca Falls Convention was held. It was the first Women’s Rights Convention in the United States, hosted by Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Mary McClintock, Martha Coffin Wright, and Jane Hunt who were also part of the abolitionist movement (History.com). While women earned the right to vote over 70 years later, it took another four decades to pass the Equal Pay Act, in 1963 (NPS.gov).

The 70s had many milestones, including the Title XI (1972) the legalization of Abortion (1973), further expanding the rights of women. In 1973, Billy Jean King won a tennis exhibition match against Bobby Riggs, who earlier had challenged her to disprove his theory that men were superior. Her straight set achievement being very inspirational to women all around.

It is the actions of women throughout time that have reinforced the equality of women and earned them their place in history.