We continue to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women's constitutional right to vote. This historic centennial offers an unparalleled opportunity to commemorate a milestone of democracy and to explore its relevance to the issues of equal rights today.
As you know, Congress on June 4, 1919 and ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote. The 19th Amendment, which declares “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex,” went into effect August 26, 1920.
Achieving this right took decades of work. The amendment was first introduced in congress in 1878, and after several generations of women and their supporters organized, lobbied, marched and picketed for voting rights.
Let’s make sure to continue the legacy left before us by using our voices.
Congratulations to Kamala Harris the first woman of color to be selected as the Vice President candidate of the United States of America. She is the first African-American, first Asian-American and the third female vice presidential running mate on a major party ticket after Geraldine Ferraro and Sarah Palin.
While we celebrate Kamala, let’s not forget Shirley Chisholm who ran for President. She eloquently stated, “I am not the candidate of Black America, although I am Black and proud. I am not the candidate of the women’s movement in this country, although I am a woman, and equally proud of that... I am the candidate of the people of America.”
Those were the words of the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress. Shirley Chisholm stated in her 1972 announcement that she was running for president, using the campaign slogan “Unbought and Unbossed.” She was an inspiration to many women and women of color who decided to enter politics and build successful careers. I was blessed to have met Shirley Chisholm and that memory will be everlasting.
Our very own NAWBO National CEO, Jen Earle installed the 2020-2021 NAWBO-CA board of directors on August 27th.
The board of directors will continue our rich servant leadership by the service we deliver this year, by these three strategic priorities:
- supporting and strengthen women business owners in California
- focus and increase our visibly of all the chapters in California
- and enhance NAWBO-CA public image and awareness through advocacy and Public policy
The theme for NAWBO-CA this year is: Diversity is an Absolute asset!
Dates to remember:
NAWBO-CA is partnering with the Know Better World Foundation to create a series of FREE online sessions and tools to help women business owners thrive in this unprecedented chaos we are experiencing. Make sure you mark your calendars for these upcoming events.
Our first series was held on August 27th with Lynnette Coverly as she discussed, “The Courage to Create”. Lynnette encouraged us to be more open to ideas, trust your intuition and make more complex decisions. Lynnette is the immediate past president of Ventura County, Secretary of NAWBO-CA and CEO of Coverly Professional Services, Inc.
Pivot Like a Pro — September 24th
Ways to keep you and your business moving forward in chaos
The Greatness of Diversity — October 15th
Conversations with NAWBO-CA sisters with real-life stories and advice on today’s racial equity issues for business owners
Network & Get Leads with NAWBO-CA — November 19th
Straightforward ideas and inspiration from NAWBO-CA sisters - November 19th.
Using Your Super-Powers — January Dates TBD
Leading with your strengths, outsourcing your weaknesses
National Women’s Friendship Day: September 17th
If it weren’t for the friendship’s women have, life would be tough. It’s the women in our lives that keep us going, and there deserves to be a day to celebrate the unique bond women share. #nawbosisters
Business Women’s Day: September 22nd
This unique holiday for women dates back to the late 1940s when women were able (and encouraged) to leave the house and enter the workforce. It’s a time that marks women’s independence as they broke out of the traditional roles in the home.
Women in history – Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Women Rights Pioneers
These three women were key figures in the women's rights movement, each of whom died before American women gained the right to vote.
Anthony, who was arrested and convicted of voting illegally in 1872, and Stanton co-founded the American Equal Rights Association and pushed for women's suffrage. Truth, who was born into slavery in New York, escaped to freedom in 1826 and became a well-known abolitionist and women's rights activist.
Like these women pioneers, I know the work we do today is building a better tomorrow. #useyourvoice
