Today marks Women’s Equality Day, honoring the date in 1920 when the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted women the right to vote. However, we know that right did not extend to all women, including Black womenimmigrant women, and Trans women. There’s still much progress to achieve for all women. In San Diego, several organizations are working toward the advancement of women’s rights, safety, and equity. Highlights include: 

An initiative of the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, JWF is a network of women that pool funds to collectively enhance the lives of Jewish women and girls in San Diego and Israel. Since it began in 2002, JWF has granted over $1m address needs such as domestic violence prevention/intervention, support for isolated seniors and the food insecure, as well as promoting positive self-esteem in teens. Find out more here: https://jcfsandiego.org/funds-foundations/jewish-womens-foundation/  

Girl, Inc. of San Diego County inspires underserved young girls to be “strong, smart, and bold” through research-based programming aimed at enhancing all aspects of their lives – academics, social life, gender, and physical well-being. Activities are provided at no cost to participants and include career exploration in fields where minority women are underrepresented such as science, technology, engineering and math.  Find out more here: https://girlsincsd.org/  

The League of Women Voters aims to encourage women to stay informed and actively participate in government through education on major public policy issues. Formed from the suffragette movement, this grassroots organization supports every member with opportunities to learn, educate, and act for public policy. Supporting the League gives women greater possibilities for civic engagement and helps develop them into leaders. Check out their website here: https://my.lwv.org/california/san-diego/about  

Through its virtual and place-based exhibitsthe Women’s Museum of California shares the collective and individual stories of women Exhibits such as “Women Activists” and “Women in U.S. Politics” feature LGBTQ+ women, Black women, indigenous women, and women of color. Learn more here: https://www.womensmuseumca.org/  

These organizations are only a few working towards creating a more just, equitable, and diverse society in San Diego and across the country. It’s evident that the path toward equality needs to be intersectional and involve all identities of womenIt needs to be intergenerational, a partnership between young women leading the work and older women who’ve been doing it for decades. By following these formulaswe can realize the ultimate goal of making equality inevitable.