Women Explain Why It's So Important For Them To Vote In Empowering Video
Less than a hundred years ago, on August 26, 1920, American women won the right to vote. Now, we celebrate August 26 as Women's Equality Day.
Women's Equality Day is supposed to recognize the progress women have made in America while acknowledging we've still got a way to go.
In 1920, women were given a voice in politics. That voice was hard fought, and it requires protection, particularly for women of color. Legislators are constantly finding new ways to make it difficult for women to use their vote -- and subsequently have their own voice through it.
Rock the Vote is celebrating women's voices in a series of videos for Women's Equality Day. The videos feature a group of women with different backgrounds talking about why they vote and what the importance of it is.
Carolyn DeWitt, president of Rock the Vote, said the organization wanted the videos "to highlight the power of their voice and use women who are already active to empower those who might watch the videos themselves."
Issues that predominately affect women, like equal pay, reproductive rights and family leave, are now at the forefront of political discussions. DeWitt told Elite Daily,
The only way that [young women] can make sure they have an impact this November is to make sure that they use their voice voting.
Many young women are feeling discouraged by the political system, thinking it may not represent them and there is not a presidential candidate who fully embodies their values. DeWitt acknowledges this, but, she said,
The way to change the system is to show up and vote to change the system. Young people are incredibly passionate about the issues. I don't believe in the myth that young people are disengaged. On the contrary, they're very much engaged, very passionate.
Using this passion, DeWitt said, young people should use the issues they are passionate about to drive their voices and their votes.
There may not be a campaign or a candidate that a young person is passionate about, but there are issues.
This has already been a historic year for women as Hillary Clinton became the first female presidential nominee for a major political party.
Clinton may not be everyone's cup of tea, but her presence could encourage more young women to run for office. Women are less likely than men to run for political office, and women are drastically underrepresented in our politics.
DeWitt said while voting is a vital way to get women's voices heard, the next step is to get more female representation in the government. She hopes Clinton's run will encourage women to make their own campaigns.
