Today’s anniversary of the 19th Amendment is particularly important because it coincides with celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington—at the very same moment we are witnessing the gutting of voting rights at the federal level and attempts to further suppress voting rights at the state level. The 2012 elections saw women redefine the power of the vote by standing up against extreme reproductive politics. Nonetheless, 2013 saw the highest amount of anti-abortion legislation in the states since the Roe v. Wade decision, reflecting that conservatives have learned few lessons since the 2012 elections.
As women make an impact at the ballot box like never before, there are other communities being silenced by conservatives. As restrictions on reproductive rights are increasing at the state and local level, so too are voting restrictions and racial-profiling laws that criminalize communities of color. Celebrating Women’s Equality Day at the same time as the March on Washington has a particular meaning that we must seize. Ensuring that all women maintain the power of the vote ensures healthier families and a stronger nation.
Heidi Williamson is a Senior Policy Analyst for the Women’s Health and Rights program at the Center for American Progress.
