DALLAS, TX (August 26, 2020) – Below is a statement by Julia A. Simon, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Diversity Officer, Mary Kay Inc., on the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th amendment establishing women’s right to vote in the United States:
100 years ago today, the collective voice of women in the United States became louder with the passing of the 19th amendment. A woman’s right to vote—to have her thoughts, ideals, and beliefs acknowledged at the ballot box—was an important step in an equal rights movement that continues to this day. This centennial is worthy of celebration, but our fight for women’s rights is far from over. According to World Economic Forum, at the current rate, it will take 140 years to achieve gender equality in top leadership positions and 99.5 years to have a gender equal world.
I encourage our peers in private and public industries to amplify women’s voices not only in business but also in their communities, country, and world. Support and accommodate your employees’ right to vote, and make conscious choices to promote and hire women at every level of the organization.
Women: I encourage you to always exercise your constitutional and human right to vote in all local and national elections. Democracy is not a spectator sport.