Celebrated annually on August 26th, Women’s Equality Day, commemorates the passage of the women’s suffrage in the United States – a historical marker for the challenges faced to drive the women’s movement forward.
THE HISTORY
The women’s movement spring boarded in the early 19th century, a time where American women couldn’t inherit property or earn more than half of a man’s wages in the jobs that were available to them. Tired of their circumstances, women nationwide began organizing to gain political rights and representation.
While other countries had begun to legalize voting for women at that time, in the United States the 19th Amendment to the Constitution (first introduced in 1878) failed to gain traction. In fact, it wasn’t until American women’s involvement in World War I that their efforts were recognized.
Did you know the 1920 adoption of the 19th Amendment prohibited states and the federal government from denying the right to vote to American citizens on the basis of sex?
MOVING FORWARD
The 19th Amendment gave American women the right to vote in 1920, but it did not mark the end of the women’s movement. This movement can still be found today where women of all backgrounds advocate for access, inclusivity, and fair representation.
OUR COMMITMENT
At BioReference, we celebrate all women. We are enriched by their diverse contributions, thought leadership, and creativity. Jane Pine Wood, our Chief Legal Counsel shares that, “Women need to be in leadership positions not only to bring the experiences and perspectives of slightly over 50% of the world’s population to the table, but to show our daughters and sons that women can get it done!”
Did you know at BioReference, 56% of executive leadership and 60% of front line manager positions are held by women?
Merve Ozkus has been with our organization for more than ten years and was recently appointed Chief Information Officer. When asked what representation in the workplace means to her, she shared, “It means that all elements of who we are can be exemplified; it is the intersection between diversity and inclusion.” She continues, “At the end of the day we are all patients and our healthcare services should reach patients of all backgrounds.”
Today and always, we’re committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where all can thrive.