Women’s Equality Day celebrates suffrage; Oregon official cites need for more progress

By Eric Tegethoff, Oregon News Service

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Women's Equality Day, observed on Monday, commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. More than a century later, women have made progress, but an Oregon official says more work needs to be done.

Women have made major gains in elected positions across the country. In Oregon, they make up more than 40% of the seats in the Legislature, the 13th-highest percentage in the country.

Libra Forde, co-chair of the Oregon Commission for Women, said the 19th Amendment, signed into law on August 26, 1920, was a big accomplishment, but did not end the push for women's progress.

"As they saw a need during their time for us to have availability and access to things that they didn't have, I think most of the women -- especially the women of the commission -- we see a need to do the same thing for things that maybe women have not had access to yet, and kind of taking the torch that's been passed to us," Forde explained.

Forde highlighted some of the issues where Oregon lawmakers could go further, such as being more vigorous in protecting women from domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

On Aug. 26, 1920, the U.S. Secretary of State completed the ratification process for the 19th Amendment, ensuring women the right to vote.

Forde acknowledged Oregon lawmakers and groups across the state are doing a good job advocating for women's rights, but added that it is going to take a greater effort to protect rights for the next generation.

"We're going to need more than just women to do that work," Forde emphasized. "We need everyone to come together, kind of like they did 104 years ago, and say, 'Hey, this is important to all of us, and if we all came in on this, then I think we all can also succeed.'"

The Oregon Commission for Women is among the state's four advocacy commissions. It pushes for policies to support and protect women.