Women’s Equality Day 2025 Observed Across the United States

LANSING, Mich. - August 26, 2025, marked the 105th anniversary of the certification of the 19th Amendment, and state and local leaders joined citizens in commemorating Women’s Equality Day with proclamations and community events.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer officially proclaimed August 26, 2025, as Women’s Equality Day in Michigan, honoring “the generations of brave women who fought for our fundamental rights and freedoms” and calling on residents to continue the work of advancing gender equity across the state. In her proclamation, Whitmer highlighted Michigan’s historic role in ratifying the 19th Amendment and celebrated trailblazing figures such as Eva McCall Hamilton, the first woman to serve in the Michigan Legislature.

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), Michigan’s first woman to hold that position, noted that the commemoration “serves as a call to action for women leaders today to continue laying the groundwork for a future where even more women can follow in our footsteps”. Brinks expressed confidence that, in time, the Capitol’s hall of portraits would increasingly reflect women’s leadership achievements.

Beyond Michigan, organizations and municipalities nationwide hosted events and educational programs to mark the day. In Madison, Wis., the Wisconsin Women’s Network announced its upcoming Women’s Equality Day celebration on August 28, featuring panel discussions with advocates and an Excellence in Advocacy award ceremony. In Washington, D.C., the White House Gender Policy Council released a statement reaffirming the administration’s commitment to defend reproductive rights, close the gender pay gap, and expand women’s leadership opportunities domestically and internationally.

Grassroots groups also mobilized for action. Members of the Young Feminist Party rallied outside the Michigan State Capitol and in front of the White House for voting rights and gender equity, invoking the spirit of the 1913 suffrage march and urging continued vigilance against threats to women’s fundamental rights.

As the nation reflected on more than a century of progress since women secured the right to vote, leaders emphasized that the pursuit of equality remains unfinished. Events continued into the evening with community discussions, film screenings, and virtual workshops designed to inspire the next generation of advocates.