R 171041Z AUG 12

ALCOAST 378/12
COMDTNOTE 5354
SUBJ: 2012 WOMENS EQUALITY DAY
1. WOMENS EQUALITY DAY, OBSERVED ANNUALLY SINCE 1971, SPOTLIGHTS
AMERICAN WOMENS PROGRESS TOWARD THE ELIMINATION OF BARRIERS TO
EQUALITY. HISTORICALLY, A FIRM COMMITMENT TO EQUALITY FOR ALL
EMPOWERED WOMEN TO JOIN FORCES TO DEMONSTRATE AND LOBBY FOR EQUAL
OPPORTUNITIES IN EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, VOTING RIGHTS, AND OTHER
CIVIL/HUMAN RIGHTS.
2. WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES SECURED THE RIGHT TO VOTE ON AUGUST 26,
1920, WHEN THE 19TH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION WAS SIGNED.
THE OBSERVANCE OF WOMENS EQUALITY DAY ON 26 AUGUST EACH YEAR BRINGS
RENEWED ATTENTION TO THE CONTINUED EFFORTS BY WOMEN TO GAIN FULL
EQUALITY. THE THEME, CELEBRATING WOMENS RIGHT TO VOTE, EMBODIES THE
SPIRIT OF WOMEN WHO ORGANIZED, MARCHED, WROTE, LECTURED, AND LOBBIED
TO ENSURE THAT WOMENS VOICES WERE HEARD AND THEIR RIGHTS WOULD BE
GUARANTEED.
3. IN 1970, ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PASSAGE OF THE 19TH
AMENDMENT, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF WOMEN IN CITIES NATIONWIDE
PARTICIPATED IN DEMONSTRATIONS AND RALLIES IN SUPPORT OF THE WOMENS
MOVEMENT AND EQUAL RIGHTS. THE FOLLOWING YEAR, NEW YORK CONGRESSWOMAN
BELLA ABZUG INTRODUCED LEGISLATION WHICH ESTABLISHED WOMENS EQUALITY
DAY.
4. WE CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF WOMEN WHO IGNITED THE EQUAL RIGHTS
MOVEMENT AND THE PROMISE OF THOSE WHO CONTINUE THE ADVANCEMENT TOWARD
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL. A FEW NOTABLE MILESTONES INCLUDE:
     A. IN 1869, WYOMING PASSED THE FIRST WOMANS SUFFRAGE LAW.
     B. IN 1923, ALICE PAUL, A FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL WOMANS PARTY,
DRAFTED WHAT LATER EVOLVED INTO THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT.
     C. THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963 PROHIBITS SEX DISCRIMINATION IN
WAGES, GIVING MEN AND WOMEN THE RIGHT TO EARN EQUAL PAY FOR DOING
SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME WORK.
     D. TITLE IX OF THE EDUCATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 1972 PROHIBITS
DISCRIMINATION UNDER ANY EDUCATION PROGRAM OR ACTIVITY RECEIVING
FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
     E. ON 29 JANUARY 2009, PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNED THE LILY LEDBETTER
FAIR PAY RESTORATION ACT WHICH ALLOWS VICTIMS OF PAY DISCRIMINATION
TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST THEIR EMPLOYER WITHIN 180 DAYS OF THEIR
LAST PAYCHECK.
5. WE HONOR THE SACRIFICE, DEDICATION, AND LEADERSHIP OF WOMEN
THROUGHOUT OUR NATIONS HISTORY WHO WERE PIONEERS IN THE QUEST FOR
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL.
6. TODAY, LARGELY DUE TO THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MANY OF THESE
LEADERS, WOMEN ARE SERVING AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS IN GOVERNMENT AND
HAVE A CRITICAL ROLE IN ENSURING OUR NATIONS SECURITY.
7. COAST GUARD UNITS AND COMMANDS SHOULD USE THIS OBSERVANCE FOR
APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT HIGHLIGHT THE ACHIEVEMENTS
AND CONTRIBUTIONS WOMEN HAVE MADE TO OUR SERVICE, OUR NATION, AND THE
WORLD.
8. MS. TERRI A. DICKERSON, DIRECTOR, CIVIL RIGHTS DIRECTORATE, SENDS.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.