Alarmed (But Resolute)

“MAAAAAMMAAAAAA!” 

My toddler alarm goes off each morning at sunrise and I’m on my feet before I’m even fully awake. 

It’s the kind of wake-up call you can’t ignore—2020 seems full of those. Like when my daughter Tallulah jolts me awake, crawling into bed and pulling the covers up over one’s head probably sounds pretty good right now. It’s jarring to be shaken awake, yet here we are. Literally and figuratively, it’s time to wake the fuck up.

In 1971, Rep. Bella Abzug (D-NY) introduced a joint resolution of Congress that declared August 26th “Women’s Equality Day” to celebrate the ratification of the 19th amendment—otherwise known as the reason I, and the rest of American women, can vote on November 3rd. And while I love the idea of equality and celebrating feminist wins from history, I think it’s time for an update. 

A lot has happened since the 70s. Actually, scratch that—a lot has NOT happened since the 70s. As the pandemic rages on, we’re seeing the cracks and crevasses that society’s tectonic shifts have left behind and their effects on women. Working mothers are being forced out of the workforce because of gaps in childcare, potentially erasing decades of progress. Black families and specifically Black women, many of whom are working jobs on the front lines of the pandemic, are among the hardest hit by the double whammy of racism and economic inequality. The problems of systemic oppression and sexism cut deep and intersectionally—what it means to be a woman is different for me than it is for others because of their race, ethnicity or social class. Part of fighting for equality is recognizing that my experience isn’t the only one and scooting over to make room for those whose story differs from mine. 

When I think about Women’s Equality Day I’m looking forward, not back. While I am thinking about the women who, just a couple of generations ago, struggled and fought to claim the right to vote, I’m really struck by how the impact of their actions has echoed through the decades since. How their victory wasn’t so much a destination as it was putting gas in the car—a means to get where we’re going to go next. What they knew then and we are starting to remember now is that voting is a vehicle for change, not the finish line for progress.

This year, on this day commemorating equality, I’m focusing on equity and how I can help make our country more just for all women, not just women who look like me. I’m considering all the ways I show up in the world and all the ways I can do better. I’m empowered to rally around causes that don’t affect me directly because it means something to show up for your neighbors, even if your house isn’t the one on fire. And we've written our own version, to ensure that we embrace Women's Equality Day for what it is—a real moment to reflect, engage and take action. We encourage you to add to it.  

While everything in this dark, scary year can seem overwhelming, I’m bringing myself back to the center of what I know to be true: We can work together to create a more just, safer and better society by using our hard-earned 19th amendment right to vote for those who will join us in doing so.