Women’s Equality Day, celebrated on August 26th, commemorates the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920 which ensured that most white women were no longer barred from voting due to their gender. The day also honors ongoing efforts toward full gender equality.
First celebrated in 1971 following the 1970 nationwide Women’s Strike for Equality, it was established by Congress in 1973 after a resolution was introduced by New York Congresswoman Bella Abzug (1920-1998).
Here are a few events scheduled for the commemoration:
Glens Falls: 250 Years of Marching Toward Equality
August 25, 2026, 6:30 pm, Crandall Public Library, Free
Patricia Nugent will present “We Were Never Part of Their Plan: Women’s March toward Equal Rights in the U.S.” The program will provide an overview of women’s struggle for equality in the United States, the driving forces behind the various movements for women’s rights and the legal status of women today.
This event is presented by the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County, and co-sponsored by the Crandall Public Library, Adirondack Branch of the American Association of University Women, Zonta Club of Glens Falls and Soroptimist International of the Adirondacks. Registration required here.
SHEratoga: Saratoga Springs Trolley Tour
August 26, 2026, 10:30 to Noon, Saratoga Spring Visitor Center, $35 Per Person
Led by renowned historian Nancy Baird Brown, this special 90-minute guided experience shines a light on the stories of area women who fought for equality and the right to vote.
The event begins aboard the trolley for a 45-minute guided tour through Saratoga Springs, visiting locations connected to the people and events that helped shape this important chapter of American history.
The event continues with a 45-minute guided visit inside the Saratoga Springs History Museum at the historic Canfield Casino in Congress Park. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring women’s suffrage, abolition, civic reform, and local history while gaining a deeper appreciation for individuals who helped transform Saratoga into a center of progress and social change. Get tickets here.
NYS Museum Revolutionary Women and 250 Years of the Pursuit of Equality
August 26, 2026, 11 am & 1 pm, NYS Museum South Lobby, Free
Marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, the exhibit “Revolutionary New York” explores how the ideas of the American Revolution have continued to shape our nation.
In honor of Women’s Equality Day, Senior Historian and Curator of Social History Ashley Hopkins-Benton will present a special gallery tour examining the women who helped transform those revolutionary ideals into action—from the nation’s founding through the Women’s Suffrage Movement and beyond.
Participants can learn how New York has remained at the center of the continuing Revolution, as generations of women challenged injustice and fought to make the promises of liberty and equality a reality for all. Presented in partnership with Monumental Women, an organization committed to making women’s history visible and honoring the women whose contributions have shaped New York and the nation.
Ausable Chasm: African American Women and the Struggle for Equal Voting Rights
August 26, 2026, at 1:30 pm, Ausable Chasm Gazebo, Clinton County, Free
North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association President Jacqueline Madison will explore the determination of Black women who fought simultaneously against racial discrimination and gender inequality to secure the right to vote. This presentation examines literacy tests, voter intimidation, racial violence, and
discriminatory laws that sought to silence their voices.
Focusing on the experiences of African American women in the North, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of their vital role in the long struggle for voting rights and the lasting impact of their activism on American democracy.
Refreshments will be served. RSVP to Helen Nerska at allenhomestead@gmail.com
Chenango County Historical Society
August 26, 2026, 6:30 to 8 pm, 43 Rexford St., Norwich, NY, Free
The Chenango County Historical Society is holding a program from 6:30 pm to 8 pm focused on Haudenosaunee heritage and how its traditional matriarchal structures inspired early American suffragists and influenced the 1920 adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment.
It includes “Hidden Roots of Democracy” from the PBS series Rematriated, exhibitions showcasing local history and cultural connections, and traditional crafts highlighting regional Haudenosaunee heritage and artistic traditions.
Queens: Women’s Equality Day at Hangar 11
August 26, 2026, 7 pm, 119-11 Metropolitan Avenue, Kew Gardens, $24
Hangar 11 Burgers & Brews is hosting a Women’s Equality Day Tasting Event featuring a networking event with a two-hour open bar and a complimentary wine tasting curated by the woman-owned importer Grapevine Merchants. Music by @imdj kassy. Get tickets here.
Read about Women’s History in New York State.
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