It's Women's Equality Day 2023—here's how to celebrate

Today, August 26, is Women’s Equality Day. Separate from International Women’s Day in March, Women’s Equality Day celebrates strides in furthering the equality of women everywhere. The day was created to commemorate women gaining the right to vote in America on August 26, 1920. While there have been many strides in equality in the 83 years since women have gained the right to vote in this country, there is still work to be done and part of Women’s Equality Day is acknowledging this fact. Here’s everything you need to know about the holiday, including its history and various ways to celebrate it.

When is Women's Equality Day 2023?

The female-forward holiday occurs annually on August 26th. This year, it falls on a Saturday.

History of Women's Equality Day

Women’s Equality Day’s history as a holiday goes back to 1971 when Rep. Bella Abzug introduced Women’s Equality Day to Congress. This proposed holiday would be observed on August 26, the same day women gained the right to vote in America in 1920 thanks to the 19th Amendment. This would not have been possible if not for the women’s rights movement, which traces its origins back to Seneca Falls, New York in 1848, where the first women’s rights convention was held. The proposal for Women’s Equality Day was passed in 1973. Since its 1973 designation, it has been proclaimed each year by the president.

Ways to honor Women’s Equality Day 2023

There are many ways to commemorate and celebrate Women’s Equality Day. For one, you can take the time to honor an important woman in your life, such as by writing her a thoughtful letter or giving her a gift to show how much they mean to you and inspire you. If you identify as a woman, you can use the day as an excuse to give yourself well-earned rest or to reflect on the ways you are strong and valid.

Women's Equality Day owes its existence to the various suffrage movements that populated the early twentieth century. While great strides have been made to improve women’s rights since the early 1900s, there's still a lot of work to be done. Consider dedicating your time to helping a woman-related cause you care about or learning about important and influential women figures. What’s more, educate others about the groundbreaking women of our past and present. Finally, you can support women-owned businesses and products by purchasing from them, as solidarity is power.

Products to celebrate Women’s Equality Day

Biographies of amazing women

As she had to overcome the difficulties brought on by her blindness and deafness, Helen Keller is a prime example of the power of perseverance. In addition to advocating for those with disabilities, Helen Keller was a staunch supporter of women's suffrage and other freedoms considered radical at the time. One of the best books to learn about this larger-than-life woman is The Radical Lives of Helen Keller by Kim E. Nielson as it delves into the aspects of Helen Keller that are often sanitized or glossed over.

If we're talking about larger-than-life women from the early twentieth century, we'd be remiss to leave out Amelia Earheart, the record-breaking pilot extraordinaire who opened the door for many female pilots after her. Her death was as notable as her life, with the mystery surrounding it remaining unsolved to this day. If you'd like to learn more about Earheart, 27 years later, her eponymous biography by Doris L. Rich continues to be a great, comprehensive read about her life.

Rosa Parks is another woman who deserves to be remembered on Women’s Equality Day thanks to her dedication to civil rights. While many know of her famous role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Rosa Parks led a long life of activism beyond that. In Jeanne Theoharis' award-winning biography, Rosa Parks' life and philosophy are laid bare to give readers a better, fuller sense of who she was.

Greeting cards

While a card may seem like a throwaway gift to some, here at Reviewed we don't believe there's such a thing. A card can be a simple, yet effective way to show someone you care. Etsy has all the cards you can think of to show your appreciation towards a woman in your life. The site features various, lovingly created designs from independent sellers. Better yet, many of them are immediately available for print after purchase, meaning you'll be able to have your card ready for your recipient even if you're buying at the last minute. Shop Etsy

Fox & the Knife pasta

Looking to satiate your hunger and support a woman-founded business in one fell swoop? You're in luck. Chef Karen Akunowicz's sells homemade pasta and sauces from her Boston restaurant, Fox & the Knife. The package serves four people and for an additional price, you can include add-ons such as olives to really bring the meal together. Our mouths are watering just looking at the pictures.

Sh*t that I Knit accessories

Sh*t That I Knit certainly has a bold name; fitting for a brand that wants to make sure winter caps and gloves are not only warm, but stylish, too. While winter may seem frustratingly far away for many of us, others know the nippy temperatures can sneak up on you. So why not get your winter-knit fix early by supporting a woman-founded business that supports mothers in Peru with a fair, livable wage? Shop Sh*t That I Knit

Zelie for She clothing

Women come in all different shapes and sizes, despite the boxes that society wishes to put them in. In light of this, Zelie for She is an amazing brand to shop as it's a woman-owned brand that empowers plus-sized women to be confident and rock the most stylish of clothes whether those are leggings, maxi dresses, or crop tops. Shop Zelie For She

Sigma Beauty

Another woman-owned brand to shop is Sigma Beauty, which offers high-quality makeup brushes at budget-friendly prices. Founded in 2009 by Simone Xavier, Sigma Beauty was created to provide quality makeup tools for those in Xavier's home country of Brazil. No matter where you are, we're sure you'll love using these top-of-the-line brushes that make your skin look and feel great. Shop Sigma Beauty

Songs by female artists

Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Rhianna, SZA; many of the hottest musical artists of the decade are women. Celebrate Women’s Equality Day by listening to their tunes. To do so, you’ll want only the best speakers and fortunately for you, we’ve tested them out. We found the best portable Bluetooth speaker to be the Sonos Roam thanks to its excellent sound, intuitive controls, and stylish design.

Mejuri jewelry

If you like jewelry, consider supporting a woman-founded brand this Women’s Equality Day like Mejuri. Founded in 2015 by Noura Sakkijha and her husband Majed Sakkijha, the jewelry company is committed to making beautiful pieces that last. We tried various pieces of jewelry from the millennial-focused brand and loved what the company had to offer.

Shop Mejuri

The Mirror

For a cool way to support an invention made by a woman, we recommend checking out The Mirror. No, not a mirror, but The Mirror. Created by Brynn Putnam in 2016 to help those who can't get a good gym workout in (including those who are pregnant), The Mirror projects a virtual fitness coach on a mirror to help guide you through your workout. We gave it a go and found it well worth its price tag.

Shop The Mirror

The Sill

The Sill is another wonderful company founded by a woman. In 2012, Eliza Blank would use a tiny, borrowed office space to start the company, which delivers a variety of both real and fake plants straight to your door. We've bought a few plants from The Sill and were impressed by the care that went into shipping them. Whether you're looking for a ponytail palm or a bird's nest fern, you can't go wrong by shopping from The Sill.

Shop The Sill

The Olive Oil

The Olive Oil comes from the women-founded Pineapple Collaborative. Each person who had a hand in making Olive Oil is paid equitably as per the Pineapple Collaborative's mission. This smooth, bright and delicious olive oil is well worth the price and will enhance a wide variety of dishes.