Women's Equality Day has been celebrated annually for over 20 years with a program by Women's Issues Network (WIN), a local Dallas women's organization. The group celebrated the 93rd anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment allowing women the right to vote with an event at Dallas City Hall on August 21 in the Flag room at Dallas City Hall. 

Over 100 women attended the program and wore white to represent the suffragists who lobbied for women to vote. 

“Although voting rights are taken for granted today, they were earned through a long brutal campaign by women that began in the 1700s and ended nearly 150 years later when the 19th Amendment was passed on August 26, 1920,” said WIN president Connie Hearn. 

The Mayor and City Council members were late to the program due to an extended council meeting, but when they arrived, Mayor Rawlings and other council members made a grand entrance — by wearing white to show their support. The Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem Tennell Atkins wore their white jackets along with other female council members dressed in white.

The audience was delighted! 

The Mayor spoke about Men Against Domestic Violence, a program he launched this year.

"I am working to fight domestic violence so that woman can be equal in feeling safe in their homes," said Rawlings. “This isn’t only a Dallas problem or even just a North Texas problem. It’s a worldwide epidemic. But in order for significant change to occur, we must address this issue locally.”   

Keynote speaker Carol Donovan shared a brief history of the 150 year struggle for women to earn the right to vote. 

“Today, only 66% of women are registered to vote and only 46% of those actually vote,” said Donovan. “Susan B. Anthony and the women who fought fiercely for women’s voting rights would be disappointed if they were alive today. The most important thing you can do to initiate change is to vote.”   

Formed in 1980, WIN has continuously worked for women’s rights and equality. Equal pay, access to healthcare, domestic violence and the sex trade are a few of the current issues today. 

The event was chaired by Ann Moy. Event co-sponsors included League of Women Voters, National Council of Jewish Women-Greater Dallas Section, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, South East Dallas Business & Professional Women’s Club, and Dallas Women’s Foundation.