On the centennial of the #NineteenthAmendment and womxn’s suffrage, we must acknowledge that even with the persistence of brave womxn who fought for this right, womxn of color still did not gain the right to vote until decades later.
/1
#WomensEqualityDay #WomensEqualityDay2020

These brave and courageous womxn sacrificed so much for ALL womxn to have the right to vote.

Our vote is puts our voice into action. Our vote has the power to transform society and if we want to see the change we know needs to happen, we need to use the power we have.

I came here as an immigrant from India in 1981 as a young child. Dad came to America to use his skills as an engineer to serve his community and to afford a better life for his family. Growing up, I remember how he always spoke so highly of our rights here in America.

I didn’t understand as a child why he would praise the US so much. As we grew older, he would tell us stories of corruption back home and how the average person didn’t have the rights that people here in America had.

I didn’t fully appreciate all his words until much later in my life. Truth be told, I took so much for granted until 2016. I voted, yes, but not with the informed intention that I know now is so critical.

I certainly ignored down ballot candidates and midterms elections, so ignorant of their crucial importance.

Our vote has power. Every single vote matters. Our lives literally depend on our ability to exercise our right to vote. Those womxn who fought for this knew this.

So on this 100th anniversary of womxn’s suffrage, take 2 minutes and register to vote. Exercise your power, help push our country forward.

https://register.vote.org/?partner=664184&campaign=WomxnVote100

And if you need an absentee ballot, click here: https://www.vote.org/absentee-ballot/

I know now how critically important it is to not take our rights for granted.

I truly understand what dad meant all those years.

The freedoms and privileges many of us enjoy can be taken away in an heartbeat.

And as we have seen time and time again, the racial injustice and violence directed against Black Americans is proof that these freedoms and privileges are still not afforded to everyone.

THIS is why we must vote.

Until freedom and the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is available for all of us, our country is not one of true freedom.

Use your rights. Register to #vote. Then go vote and make your voice heard!

END/
https://register.vote.org/?partner=664184&campaign=WomxnVote100