FROM GIRL TO LEADER A CELEBRATION OF WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY

On Tuesday, August 26, members of our section gathered at Bergen Community College with YWCA of Bergen County, The League of Women Voters, The Women’s Rights Information Center, Bergen County Human Services, Girl Scouts, elected Bergen County officials and many other men and women of all ages, to celebrate Women’s Equality Day.

Women’s Equality Day was established in 1971 in both houses of Congress by Congresswoman Bella Abzug to commemorate the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution on August 26, 1920, granting women the right to vote. Her mission for its observance was also to raise awareness for the ERA and pay equity.

The opening ceremony was conducted by Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey Color Guard. Dr. B. Kaye Walter, President of Bergen Community College, then gave a warm welcome address.

The first inspiring speaker was Lucy Beard, Executive Director of the Alice Paul Institute, who presented a stirring movie about the legacy of Alice Paul (1885 – 1977) and her life’s work for gender equality. Alice Paul led the final, successful fight to get women the right to vote, and was author of the ERA. A suffragist* from New Jersey, she had the courage and tenacity to advocate for her beliefs, causing her to go on a hunger strike and be painfully force-fed in a jail cell. Furthering her legacy is The Paulsdale Institute in Mount Laurel, NJ, with its vibrant menu of leadership development programs to inspire young people to make a difference in their schools and communities.

Liz J. Abzug, President and Co-Founder of the Bella Abzug Leadership Institute spoke passionately and powerfully about the life, work and influence of her mother, Congresswoman Bella Abzug (1920 – 1998). The Congresswoman was born in New York City, just one month before women secured the right to vote. From a young age, Bella understood the importance of social justice and activism, leading to a successful career in civil rights law. At age 50, Bella made her first run at political office, defeating a 22-year incumbent for a seat in the US House of Representatives. She was the first Jewish woman elected to Congress. Liz, a self-proclaimed equalist**, continues her mother’s legacy. Liz is a lawyer, national consultant, professor at Barnard College, lobbyist and was a candidate for New York City elective office.

She informed us that currently there are a mere 20 women in the Senate and 79 women in the House of Representatives. She stressed that we must continue the fight to pass the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment). She closed with some words, addressed to the young women in the audience:
1) Be who you are and know who you are.
2) Have compassion.
3) Have a sense of humor.
4) Have courage.

Bravo to our illustrious passionate leaders who are paving the way for the next generation to carry the torch!

Roselyn Altman
Carole Benson

Suffragist*: a woman who was in favor of women having voting rights. That is the preferred term, rather than “suffragettes” used in the UK, which has a less positive connotation.
Equalist**: the preferred term used today (rather than “feminist,” which could be construed to undermine femininity.)

Photograph of NCJW Bergen County Section Advocacy Table
L-R: Peggy Kabakow, Roz Altman, Elaine Pollack, Bea Podorefsky, Carole Benson