Women’s Equality Day celebrates the court decision that gave women the right to vote in 1920. Much has changed since then, but there are still things to fight for. Through time, women have been powerful activists. Cis and transgender women have paved the way. Let’s learn more about four women activists who might inspire you.
Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha “Pay It No Mind” Johnson is known as the leader of the Gay Pride movement. She was a Black transgender activist who was also a very successful drag queen. Marsha was a force behind the Stonewall Riots and a pioneer for LGBTQ rights. Along with Sylvia Rivera, she co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR). STAR provided shelter and other services to homeless LGBTQ people in Lower Manhattan.
Audre Lorde
Audre Lorde was a Black lesbian author and activist. She fought for civil rights through her essays, poems, and speeches. She began her career as a librarian for New York Public schools in the 1960s. Lorde became one of the most important writers in American history. She believed in that women are powerful and dangerous.
Shirley Chisholm
Shirley Chisholm was a Brooklyn native and the first Black woman to be elected to congress. She was also the first Black woman to run for president. Chisholm was a bold feminist who did not shy away from topics like racism and sexism. People called her “Fighting Shirley”.
Miss Major Griffin-Gacy
Miss Major is a community leader and Stonewall veteran. She is a survivor of Attica State Prison and a former sex worker. Miss Major is a fierce advocate for girls and transgender women of color who have survived police brutality and prison. After more than 40 years of activism, Miss Major still has more to teach us about fighting back against the systems that harm us.
These women are just a handful of examples among thousands of leaders that have made a difference. We hope that you are inspired by those that are fighting for change. We all have the power to be activists in our own lives.