Aug. 26 is Women's Equality Day Published July 29, 2010 By Master Sgt. Tonisha Layne ESC Equal Opportunity office HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- What does Women's Equality Day mean? For more than 155 million female U.S. residents, this means they will have an opportunity to commemorate their right to vote. Aug. 26, 2010 marks Women's Equality Day, and the laborious efforts that were made to bring this to full fruition should not go unnoticed. Nearly 90 years ago the first steps towards women's suffrage were made. The suffrage movement was developed to increase women's equality and grant voting privileges. Women such as Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony and Julia Ward Howe established platforms and campaigned across the country to raise awareness and to establish, as well as defend, a woman's right to vote. Movement leaders and supporters encouraged women to register and then vote based on the 14th Amendment, which granted and protected the civil and political rights of all people born in the United States. All residents of the U.S. were asked to recognize the achievements and contributions made by women. The White House was picketed, marches were conducted and court cases were fought. The tireless initiatives and supporters' efforts did not go unnoticed. In August 1920, the United States sanctioned the 19th Amendment, with a one vote margin, and granted all U.S. citizens the right to vote. Hanscom Air Force Base is recognizing Women's Equality Day on Aug. 26. Col. Stacy L. Yike, 66th Air Base Group commander, signed a proclamation declaring this day as Women's Equality Day on base. For more information on Women's Equality Day or Hanscom's Equal Opportunity office, call (781) 377-3796.