Jill Lewis-Spector. PhD, et al | Published on 8/11/2025
Women’s Rights and Education
Warning Signs Point to Decline in Women’s Equity
The U.S. Congress designated August 26, 1973, as “Women’s Equality Day,” a date chosen to commemorate the 1920 certification of the Constitution’s 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote. In 1974, the Women's Educational Equity Act, a US federal law, was enacted, promoting educational equity for women and girls.
Unlike millions of other young women worldwide, American girls have the right to free public education and to choose their education paths, whether it ends with high school or a bachelor’s degree and beyond. Notably, American women have made significant strides in the past few decades, increasing their enrollment and attainment rates across all levels of education. More women in America now graduate from high school, enroll in college, and earn master’s and doctoral degrees than men (U.S. Census Bureau, NCES).
Such accomplishments weren’t always possible. During America’s Colonial period, girls’ education was basic, varying greatly based on region, social class, and cultural context. Most didn’t attend any school. Later, and throughout the mid-1800s, education received more attention, and increasingly, young women could attend “female academies.” As women’s literacy rates climbed, many sought greater influence in their communities. The early 1900s witnessed significant changes in women’s educational opportunities, including increased access to primary and secondary education with broader courses of study, such as math and science, and the transformation of female academies into women’s colleges.
The suffrage movement grew in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Women became increasingly educated and felt more empowered to advocate for their rights. They began unifying in grassroots campaigns for such critical societal issues as social justice and voting rights. The 20th century saw their growing influence in government policy, along with their presence in the workforce. Organizations such as the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and League of Women Voters (LWV) formed and gradually became more diverse, inclusive, and equitable.
Recently, momentum has slowed, and we wonder whether the influence of organizations such as AAUW and the League can continue in the current political environment. Will support for women’s independence continue through the 21st century? Warning signs suggest that it will not.
Today we are experiencing a backlash against gender equality; women’s freedoms are threatened. Some legislators claim that women’s rights have gone too far; women should stay home, have children, and provide their care. Congress recently enacted legislation incentivizing having babies while simultaneously removing childcare support. At least 24 states, including Florida, have enacted measures defunding or restricting funding for Planned Parenthood and similar organizations thereby limiting women’s abortion access, birth control, cancer screenings, and other sexual and reproductive health care. Fourteen states recently banned abortion, some without exceptions for rape or incest. Multiple state and federal programs that once rewarded diversity, equity, or inclusion, providing opportunities for women, have been eliminated.
Women today must once again rise and unite in a 21st-century suffrage movement. We must oppose limits being placed on our personal and family decisions. Having children and staying at home with them is a choice for some; others opt for full-time careers. Neither is right nor wrong. But the decision must not be made for us and certainly not by legislators. In the United States, women must continue to have the right to decide, defying those who would take away our rights and restrict our freedom to choose.
Jill Lewis-Spector, Ed. D
Director, League of Women Voters of Florida
Co-Chair, LWVFL & Chair, LWVSRQ Education Action Teams
Chair, Public Education Network (PEN) Sarasota
Professor Emerita, Literacy Education, New Jersey City University
Merrie Lynn Parker, Ed.D.
Education Issues Action Team Chair, League of Women Voters of Manatee County
Meg Newsome
President, Manatee County Branch of the American Association of University Women
Lois A. Fisch
President, AAUW Sarasota
Debbie Blackwell
Public Policy Director, AAUW Venice
As we commemorate the 19th amendment, the Women’s Resource Center is partnering with the Leagues of Women Voters of Sarasota and Manatee counties to host an Equality Day Breakfast on Monday, August 26, from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at WRC’s Sarasota location. This free event features a community conversation with guest panelists and a continental breakfast.Space is limited and registration is required at www.mywrc.org/equalityday .