MICHAEL F. EASLEY
GOVERNOR
WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY
2008
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLJNA
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, on August 26, I 920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified granting women the
right to vote; and
WHEREAS, since 197 I, when the United States Congress designated August 26'1
' as Women's Equality
Day, we have recognized the struggle for equal rights for women; and
WHEREAS, in 1869, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony formed the National Woman Suffrage
Association; which allowed only female membership and advocated for women's suffrage; and
WHEREAS, in I 869, Lucy SlOne formed the American Woman Suffrage Association; which supported the
Fifteenth Amendment and invited men to participate; and
WHEREAS, Susan B. Anthony, gave over 75 speeches per year for over 45 years, voted in 1872
presidential e lection and was arrested and tried; and
WHEREAS, in I 890, the National and American associations merged to form the National American
Woman Suffrage Association, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton became the new organization's first president; and
WHEREAS, in 1916, Alice Paul and Lucy Burns formed the National Woman's Party which introduced
non-violent demonstrations that gained supporters arid media coverage which advoca!ed for a federal amendment to
allow equal voting rights for women; and
WHEREAS, their efforts encouraged the in!roduction of the Nineteenth Amendment; and
WHEREAS, the women of the United States have united to assure that these rights are available to all
citizens regardless of sex: and ·
WHEREAS, the women of the United States have designated August 261h, the anniversary date of the
passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, as symbol of the continued fight for equal rights;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MICHAEL F. EASLEY, Govemor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby
proclaim August 26, 2008, as "WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY" in North Carolina. I urge all citizens to seek
opportunities to Jearn more about the history of Women's Equality Day and to educate themselves on the many
struggles women overcame in the pursuit of equality.
,I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North
this eighth day of August in the yeat of our Lord two thousand and eight, and of
of America the two hundred and thirty-third.