At the behest of Rep. Bella Abzug (D-NY), in 1971 and passed in 1973, the U.S. Congress designated August 26 as “Women’s Equality Day.” The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. This was the culmination of a massive, peaceful civil rights movement by women that had its formal beginnings in 1848 at the world’s first women’s rights convention, in Seneca Falls, New York. The observance of Women’s Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also calls attention to women’s continuing efforts toward full equality.
That ongoing story is one we are proud to bring to life here at the Capitol Theatre this fall, with two deeply connected events on September 8. The first takes place at 11:30 a.m. at the historic Donald House, home of the Yakima Woman’s Century Club. Women & the Vote: A Community Conversation is a free panel discussion featuring BIPOC women leaders from our community, including Ester Huey, Maria Beltran, Magaly Solis, Briana Tamaki, and Emily Washines. Moderated by Tammy Ayer, the conversation will highlight personal stories and perspectives on what suffrage means today. The event will also include a special performance of Sojourner Truth, portrayed by Evelyn Malone. Admission is free, but seating is limited, so we encourage you to reserve your spot early.
Later that evening, the conversation shifts from community voices to the Broadway stage with the opening of Suffs, part of our Capitol Best Series. This Tony Award®–winning musical, created by Shaina Taub, tells the riveting and complex story of the American suffragists. Hailed as “emotionally stirring” by critics, Suffs is not just a retelling of history but a bold, vibrant piece of theatre that resonates powerfully with today’s audiences. Performances will take place on September 8 and 9 here at the Capitol Theatre and tickets can be purchased online.
Together, these two experiences—a community conversation and a Broadway musical—offer a unique way to reflect on Women’s Equality Day. One gives us the chance to hear directly from women in our own community who are shaping the present and future. The other transports us to the past, illuminating the courage and determination of the women who demanded the right to be heard. Side by side, they remind us that the fight for equality is both historical and ongoing, both personal and collective.
As we honor Women’s Equality Day, we invite you to join us for these events and take part in the reflection. By remembering the women who fought for the right to vote, and by listening to the women leading change today, we can better understand our place in this ongoing story—and ensure that the momentum toward equality continues for generations to come.
Posted August 26, 2025
