Rep. Clarke Celebrates 90th Anniversary of Women Gaining the Right to Vote

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke called on all Americans to join in celebrating the 90th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote.

"Women of every race, ethnicity, social class, and background have for centuries made many substantial - and often unrecognized - contributions to the development of our society," stated Rep. Clarke. "That is why it is important that we celebrate the 90th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Today, we pay tribute to the courage, determination and tenancy of the suffragettes and to their lasting achievement. And we pay special tribute to the three key pioneers for women's suffrage, who never lived to see women get the right to vote -- Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony."

In recent years, key milestones for women have been reached. In 2007, Nancy Pelosi was sworn in as the first woman Speaker of the House and we now have three women serving as Supreme Court justices.

Though there is much to celebrate in the fight for women's rights, there is still significant work to be done. Women still earn 77 cents for every dollar men make, violating the fundamental value of equal pay for equal work. And women hold just 17 percent of the seats in the U.S. Senate and 17 percent in the House of Representatives -- a sign that our goal of equality of representation requires our continued focus and energy.

"Women in this nation have time and again shown their collaborative strength and resilience as they have fought for and obtained suffrage, workplaces free of harassment, and equal opportunities. For our grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and daughters, we must continue to fight until the dream of true equality and civil rights becomes a reality for all women," concluded Rep. Clarke.

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