County Executive David Crowley Statement on Women’s Equality Day 

MILWAUKEE, WI – Today marks 101 years since adoption of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote. The following is the statement of Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in observance of Women’s Equality Day: 

“Over a century ago, the 19th amendment gave women the right to vote after generations of suffragists fought and marched for the right to enjoy full participation in our democracy. Unfortunately, that right was not initially granted to all women throughout our nation and 
women of color were tasked with carrying on the fight for access to the ballot box. It would be another forty-five years before Black, Latina, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Indigenous women enjoyed full voting rights. 

“It is in the spirit of these groundbreaking women who shaped our nation that Milwaukee County commits itself to advancing racial equity through our strategic focus area of intentional inclusion. County government should reflect the full diversity of the residents it serves not only to make sure the voices and perspectives of all our communities are heard, but also so the next generation of leaders can imagine themselves serving their community. I’m proud to say that more than half of our department heads are women, and that we’ve taken a similar approach to diversifying our boards and commissions. 

“Just like the fight for equality continued after the 1920 adoption of the 19th amendment, the fight for equity and the right to vote continues today as certain individuals continue to fan the flames of division and invalidate the votes of women and people of color. The growing gender pay gap and the disparate economic impacts of the pandemic are proof that our work is not done to achieve gender and racial equity. At this critical moment in our history, Milwaukee County is committed to advancing racial equity and supporting gender equality as we work to rebuild from the last year of health and economic devastation.” 

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