On Women’s Equality Day, the U.S. commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920, which granted women the right to vote. This historic victory marked a pivotal moment for equality, but it was only the beginning. It would take decades-long advocacy, by particularly women of color, to guarantee the right to vote for all women.
An inclusive and representative democracy is not built overnight. It takes years of organizing, advocacy, and action to build a system that works for everyone. Women’s Equality Day provides an opportunity to celebrate the resilience and achievements of the suffragettes who fought for women’s right to vote– but also recognize and support continued efforts to protect and expand voting rights.
At Panorama, we believe that a thriving government must reflect the diversity of its people and enable citizens to vote for leaders who represent them. This is why The Ascend Fund, powered by Panorama Global, pools philanthropic capital to invest in nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations dedicated to breaking down the barriers that prevent women from running for office - and winning. While women make up 51% of the U.S. population, they represent only about 30% of our country's elected leaders:
The disparities grow even starker when factoring in race and ethnicity. Of the 151 women currently in Congress, 62% identify as White (94), with the remaining 38% representing Asian American/Pacific Islander (10), Black (29), Latina (19), Native American/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian (2), and (1) Middle Eastern/North African.
Elected officials who reflect our communities are essential to a thriving government. Yet, many barriers persist preventing women from running and winning. This includes misinformation campaigns, political violence on- and off-line, and lack of childcare support. To accelerate progress toward parity in elected office, The Ascend Fund works with partners nationally and at the state level in Michigan, Mississippi, and Washington to build coalitions, reduce barriers, and recruit and train women to run for office.
Research consistently shows that women in political leadership are more likely to prioritize legislation that benefits communities, more inclined to work across party lines in an already polarized environment to move issues forward, and secure more resources for their constituents.
As we approach a historic election, Women’s Equality Day 2024 serves as a reminder of the importance of exercising the right to vote. The suffragettes showed that together, progress is possible. More than 100 years later, we must continue building on that momentum until we achieve a truly inclusive and representative democracy.
Learn more about The Ascend Fund in this feature by The Giving List Women.
