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Women’s Equality Day 2025 marks its 52nd celebration. First recognized in 1973, the day commemorates the ratification of the 19th Amendment granting U.S. women the right to vote.
Celebrate with quotes that inspire. Use powerful words from influential women — past and present — to spark conversations and honor the meaning behind Women’s Equality Day.
Host educational workshops or webinars. Bring employees together to explore the history of gender equality, learn about current challenges, and identify ways to drive progress in your workplace.
Share employee stories to spotlight impact. Feature the voices and experiences of women within your organization to recognize achievements and inspire others through relatable, real-life contributions.
Create interactive engagement moments. Use quizzes, polls, or social media discussions to educate and involve employees in a fun, inclusive way.
Extend the celebration year-round. Embed gender equity into your culture through ongoing stories, recognition, and inclusive programming beyond August 26, 2025.
In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution gave women in America the right to vote. Today, Women’s Equality Day commemorates the ratification of the U.S. of this pivotal law, which was designated by a joint resolution of Congress in 1971 and passed in 1973. Although not a national holiday, Women’s Equality Day has been celebrated on August 26 every year since then.
This landmark legislation banned the federal government and individual states from denying voting rights based on sex. In so doing, it empowered women across the nation by granting them a fundamental democratic right. With the ability to vote, women have gained a powerful voice in shaping the political landscape, forcing candidates to address women’s issues and paving the way for female representation in government.
Women’s Equality Day 2025 promises to be a significant occasion that will celebrate the hard-fought achievements of women in their continued journey toward equality. It’s a day wheren we can all recognize and honor the significant progress that has been made. But it’s also important to acknowledge the work that still needs to be done. So, how do you plan to celebrate Women’s Equality Day 2025 to make it meaningful? Not sure? We’ve got some ideas for you.
Without a doubt, engaging in conversations about women’s rights, empowerment, and equality is a good way to start. But we can take this a step further in 2025. We have the opportunity to celebrate Women’s Equality Day 2025 in an especially meaningful way by embracing internal communication strategies that inspire, educate, and empower.
Here are some ideas for you to embrace. Also consider bringing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) into the conversation. DEI communications will help to promote an inclusive, equitable workplace by:
Recognizing differences
Providing fair opportunities
Ensuring employees feel respected
Why Women’s Equality Day Matters
Many stories about American suffragettes are legendary. Many women were arrested and force-fed in prison in 1917 after peacefully picketing the White House for the right to vote. It wasn’t a new story. Women had been protesting since 1848 for the right to be heard.
But Women’s Equality Day 2025 and previous “equality days” aren’t only about voting rights. They are a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality in all aspects of life. They are also a commemoration of some of the accomplishments women have achieved en masse, including:
Growing political participation, with an ever-increasing number of women taking their place in public office. A good example is Kamala Harris, who, on January 20, 2021, became the first woman vice president and highest-ranking female official in U.S. history.
Increased education that gives women opportunities to compete, very often successfully, with men.
Opportunities to participate in the workplace that have increased in ways many women never dreamed possible. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the rapid rise in women’s labor force participation was a major development in the labor market during the second half of the 20th century. However, there’s still progress to be made. Although women’s labor force participation peaked at 60% in 1999, it declined dramatically in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. While men were also negatively impacted, the discrepancies have continued post COVID. In March 2024, the BLS revealed that women’s earnings were 83.6% of men’s in 2023. Not only are fewer women employed, they are also paid less on average.
There are exceptions worth noting. In a handful of occupations, women are earning equal to or more than their male counterparts. For example, median weekly earnings for women surpassed men in roles such as producers and directors (122.6%); production, planning, and expediting clerks (99.9%); other physicians (99.6%); and social and human service assistants (99.5%). These cases show progress — but they remain outliers in a workforce where inequality is still the norm.
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In 2025, more than half a century after Women’s Equality Day was legally immortalized, it’s crucial to highlight the continued need for progress and the role each individual plays in promoting equality. Much has been achieved, but there are still gender pay gaps, gender gaps in education, and far more men versus women in leadership roles. One way to overcome these inconsistencies is to raise understanding and widespread awareness throughout the nation.
There is no doubt that for many, Women’s Equality Day 2025 will be a crucial reminder of the progress made in the fight for gender equality. It will also be a powerful call to action for continued efforts.
One of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals is to, “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
“Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. There has been progress over the last decades, but the world is not on track to achieve gender equality by 2030.”
United Nations
Their facts and figures tell the story:
In 2024, legal barriers to gender equality persist:
61 countries out of 131 surveyed (47%) still restrict women from doing the same jobs as men
38 countries (29%) set 18 as the minimum marriage age with no exceptions
63 countries (48%) define rape based on lack of consent.
In nearly 80% of countries with data, fewer than half of women have ownership or secure rights to agricultural land, which are vital for empowering rural women and strengthening agrifood systems.
As of January 1, 2025, women held only 27.2% of the seats in national parliaments. This is up 4.9% from 2015 but only 0.3% from 2024.
Harnessing the Power of Internal Communication
Internal communication is a potent tool that can be used to effectively foster awareness, understanding, and support for Women’s Equality Day 2025. Here are six effective ways to celebrate the day through internal communication:
1. Women’s Equality Day Quotes
Quotes have a remarkable ability to inspire and capture the essence of important concepts. An excellent way to do this is to incorporate impactful Women’s Equality Day quotes into your internal communications. For instance, you could share quotes from historical figures, contemporary leaders, or even your own colleagues reflecting on what equality means to them.
Women’s Equality Day Quote Examples
“On Women's Equality Day, we celebrate the brilliant, resilient women who came before us, determined to build a better, more inclusive America for all of us. Let's be clear: we won't go back. I refuse to let my daughters grow up with fewer rights than I had.”
U.S. Senator for Illinois, Tammy Duckworth
“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contribution of half its citizens.”
Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States
“Let us not forget that our fight for equality is not over. It is not only about the right to vote. It is about equal pay, equal access to healthcare, and equal opportunities in every aspect of life.“
Kamala Harris, former Vice President of the United States
“Freedom cannot be achieved unless women have been emancipated from all kinds of oppression.”
Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid activist and the first president of South Africa
“Equality is not just a lofty goal — it's a practical necessity. When women have equal opportunities, entire societies thrive.”
Melinda French Gates, American philanthropist and Founder of Pivotal
“The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”
Gloria Steinem, American journalist and social-political activist
I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.
Audre Lorde, American writer, professor, philosopher, radical feminist, and civil rights activist
“Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others.”
Amelia Earhart, the American aviation pioneer who disappeared over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 while attempting to become the first female pilot to circumnavigate the world
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Organize virtual workshops or webinars that delve into the history of Women’s Equality Day and the broader feminist movement. Address the challenges women continue to face and discuss actionable steps to promote gender equality in the workplace and beyond. Invite experts to share insights and facilitate discussions with them.
Then share reports and outcomes of these discussions.
3. Highlight Employee Stories
Give voice to the experiences and achievements of women within your organization. Share stories of women who have broken barriers, shattered glass ceilings, and made significant contributions to your workplace, both big and small. This not only celebrates their accomplishments but also serves as an inspiration for others.
Just be aware that you are going to have to ask employees to share their experiences. So, communicate with employees in your workplace to let them know you want ideas from them on how to celebrate Women’s Equality Day in the best way possible.
4. Women’s Equality Day Social Media Posts
Utilize your company’s internal social media platforms to share informative and engaging Women’s Equality Day posts. You can share historical facts, infographics showcasing progress, and anecdotes that emphasize the importance of equality. Encourage employees to join the conversation and share their thoughts.
5. Interactive Quizzes and Polls
Create fun and interactive quizzes, polls, or employee engagement events centered around women’s achievements and milestones. These activities encourage employees to learn while actively participating in the celebration. Questions can range from historical trivia to modern-day challenges women still face.
The bottom line here is that you might learn a lot, too! You could even offer a prize for devising how to celebrate Women’s Equality Day and then use the advice to up your game in 2025.
6. Virtual Film Screenings and Book Clubs
Host virtual screenings of documentaries or films that highlight women’s struggles and achievements. Alternatively, initiate a book club focusing on literature authored by women or tackling themes of gender equality. Consider raising money for a worthwhile charity by selling books at your own Women’s Equality Day 2025 function.
Why Not Celebrate Women’s Equality Day Every Day?
As we celebrate Women’s Equality Day 2025, remember that promoting gender equality is not limited to a single day. It’s an ongoing effort that requires continuous commitment.
Through thoughtful internal communication strategies, we can make strides toward a more inclusive and equitable workplace. Strategies we can embrace include hosting educational events throughout the year, amplifying employee stories in News Digests, and leveraging social media posts. In this way, we can inspire change and foster a culture of equality that extends far beyond this day of celebration.
How Broadcast Can Help You Recognize Women’s Equality
Women’s Equality Day is more meaningful when paired with the right tools to engage, educate, and inspire your workforce. Cerkl Broadcast makes this easy by helping internal communicators organize and amplify women-focused initiatives across every channel.
With the new Calendar Invite feature, you can seamlessly schedule and promote Women’s Equality Day workshops, panel discussions, or webinars that put gender equity in the spotlight. Email Blasts ensure important messages land in every inbox, while News Digest curates personalized content highlighting quotes, employee stories, and key milestones in women’s progress. Broadcast’s omnichannel delivery ensures employees see and engage with your content where they work best — whether in email, mobile, intranet, or other connected platforms.
By leveraging these features, you not only mark the 52nd celebration of Women’s Equality Day but also reinforce a lasting culture of inclusivity and recognition.
What’s Next?
Our internal communication software, Cerkl Broadcast, has helped hundreds of companies personally engage their employees. Access a free DEI communication checklist to share within your organization. Review the types of content your team creates and distributes across your channels and find the best way to celebrate Women’s Equality Day in 2025.
Free DEI Communications Checklist to Foster Inclusion
Ensure your company's communications promote diversity, equity, and inclusion
Why is August 26 called Women’s Equality Day? Women’s Equality Day has been celebrated on August 26 every year since 1973. It commemorates the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which in 1920 gave women in America the right to vote.
When and where did Women’s Equality Day start? Women’s Equality Day originated in the United States. Congress designated August 26 as Women's Equality Day through a joint resolution in 1971, which was officially enacted in 1973.
Why is gender equality important in 2025? Gender equality is important in 2025 and beyond because it ensures fairness, justice, and the full realization of human potential by breaking down barriers that limit opportunities and rights based on gender.
How can employees get involved in promoting Women’s Equality Day 2025? Employees can contribute to Women's Equality Day in many ways, from learning about the history of women’s rights to raising awareness about gender equality issues on social media. They can also participate in company-sponsored events, attend company-organized workshops on gender equality, or become a mentor to young female colleagues, sharing their knowledge and experience to help them succeed.
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