[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 132 (Thursday, September 8, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5448-S5449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, on August 26, 2011, we recognized the 40th 
anniversary of Women's Equality Day. It is on this day that we 
celebrate the many contributions of women in advancing our society by 
fighting for equality and justice. This day also marked the 91st 
anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which 
guaranteed women the right to vote in 1920. Wyoming was the first in 
the world to allow women to vote and own property. Wyoming adopted it 
in 1820. That was 50 years before the nation adopted women's suffrage.

[[Page S5449]]

  Wyoming has a long history of advancing women's rights and actually 
refused to become a state when the option was women losing their 
rights. Wyoming became the first State to elect a female Governor, 
Nellie Tayloe Ross, just 5 years after the 19th amendment was ratified 
by the U.S. Congress. We also had the first female Justice of the 
Peace, Esther Hobart Morris and her commemoration is one of only a few 
female statues displayed in the U.S. Capitol today.
  While we are certainly proud of our past, I am honored to currently 
serve in Wyoming's congressional delegation alongside U.S. 
Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis who has been a remarkable leader for 
Wyoming as she continues the proud tradition of leadership of women in 
our state. Speaking of firsts, Congresswoman Lummis became the youngest 
woman ever elected to the Wyoming State Legislature. She was also the 
first woman to serve on the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo Board. Cynthia 
has taken on a variety of roles ranging from a lawyer and rancher to a 
legislator and Wyoming State treasurer. Now in her role in the U.S. 
House of Representatives, her work continually impresses me as she does 
an outstanding job serving her constituents and fighting for their 
interests in Congress.
  Without a doubt, the ratification of the 19th amendment to our 
country's Constitution was a landmark in our need to recognize the 
voices of women and recognize their contributions to our country. While 
there is no doubt we are a better country for offering full franchise 
to women, it needs to be recognized that on Equality Day our Nation 
recognizes a turning point for progress and civil rights, a watershed 
moment in our ongoing pursuit of liberty and justice for all.
  Women serve as a pillar of strength in our country. I am proud to 
recognize the 141st year of Wyoming women voting and this 91st 
anniversary of women gaining the right to vote and look forward to 
welcoming their achievements and contributions in the years to come and 
assuring that equality is not just a word.

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