R 031530Z AUG 09

ALCOAST 447/09
COMDTNOTE 5354
SUBJ: NATIONAL WOMENS EQUALITY DAY
1. AUGUST 26TH EACH YEAR IS DESIGNATED AS WOMENS EQUALITY DAY.  THE
DATE COMMEMORATES PASSAGE OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT TO THE
CONSTITUTION, THE WOMENS SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT, WHICH GRANTED FULL
VOTING RIGHTS TO WOMEN IN 1920.  THIS WAS THE CULMINATION OF A
MASSIVE, PEACEFUL CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT THAT HAD ITS FORMAL
BEGINNINGS IN 1848 AT THE FIRST WOMENS RIGHTS CONVENTION IN SENECA
FALLS, NEW YORK.
2. THE NATIONAL THEME, CELEBRATING WOMENS RIGHT TO VOTE, CALLS
ATTENTION TO WOMENS CONTINUING EFFORTS TOWARD FULL EQUALITY, AND
HIGHLIGHTS POSITIVE CHANGES BROUGHT ON BY THE WOMENS MOVEMENT.  OUR
WORLD HAS BEEN CHANGED BY MILLIONS OF WOMEN WHO PLANNED, ORGANIZED,
LECTURED, WROTE, PETITIONED, LOBBIED, PARADED AND BROKE NEW GROUND
IN EVERY FIELD IMAGINABLE.  TODAY, MEN AND WOMEN ARE LIVING THE
LEGACY OF THE WOMENS RIGHTS WON AGAINST STAGGERING ODDS IN A
REVOLUTION WITHOUT VIOLENCE.  WOMEN PLAY HIGHLY VISIBLE AND
IMPORTANT ROLES IN THE ARMED FORCES AND HOLD CRITICAL POSITIONS IN
GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND THE ARTS.
3. 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.
4. CAPT E. G. FAUX, ACTING, CIVIL RIGHTS DIRECTORATE, SENDS
5. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.