LOS ANGELES – Today, the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education approved a resolution recognizing August 26, 2026, as Women’s Equality Day, honoring the generations of women who have advanced equal rights and opportunities while celebrating the contributions of female students, educators, and staff across the District.
The resolution commemorates the 19th Amendment, which granted women the constitutional right to vote, while recognizing the continued importance of advancing gender equity, educational opportunity, civic engagement, and leadership.
“Women’s Equality Day is both a celebration and a call to action,” said Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill. “In Los Angeles Unified, our female students are graduating, pursuing higher education, and leading in ways that reflect the strength and promise of our community. Our educators and staff, many of them women, continue to inspire and uplift the next generation. As we honor the legacy of the suffrage movement, we also reaffirm our commitment to ensuring every girl in LAUSD has the opportunity to learn, lead, and succeed.”
The resolution encourages L.A. Unified schools to promote educational programs, civic engagement, and leadership opportunities that empower young women and support gender equity across all disciplines.
“Women’s Equality Day is an opportunity to recognize the generations of women who fought to expand opportunity, representation, and equality, while also acknowledging the work that remains,” Superintendent Andrés E. Chait said. “In Los Angeles Unified, we want every student to see that leadership and opportunity have no gender. By honoring the contributions of women and ensuring our students have the opportunity to learn from their experiences, we help prepare the next generation to build a more equitable future.”
The resolution was authored by Board Member Hendy Newbill and reaffirms the District’s commitment to ensuring every student has the opportunity to learn, lead, and succeed.
“The progress of the nation is closely attached to the progress made by women in this country. Today, women outnumber men when it comes to college participation and voting; a symbol of the hard work done to expand equal rights. These rights did not just happen on their own, and it is why our students must learn about the important women, the movements, and the labor done to ensure that equal rights are the standard in this nation and not a privilege.” Board President Scott M. Schmerelson
"Women’s Equality Day reminds us how far we’ve come and how much work remains. We must continue creating opportunities for every girl to learn, lead, and dream without limits and double standards." Board Vice President Dr. Rocío Rivas
“Our schools should empower every student to see themselves as a future leader, and that means ensuring our girls know from an early age that they can do anything and achieve anything. We recognize the importance of Women’s Equality Day as a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of the women and girls across LA Unified and reaffirm our commitment to breaking down the barriers that still stand in the way of full equality and opportunity.” Board Member Nick Melvoin
“Happy Women’s Equality Day to all who celebrate! Today, I’m proud to be part of a school board where women are the majority, however there is still a lot more work to do to close the gender gap. We will continue to advocate for a future where every young girl has the opportunity to play, learn, lead, and dream big.” Board Member Karla Griego
“This Women’s Equality Day is an opportunity to highlight and uplift young women in our schools, and it’s a reminder to continue the fight for women’s equality. We all benefit when women are celebrated and supported.” Board Member Kelly Gonez
“At a time when the fight for women’s rights and equality can feel like it is being pushed backwards, we must remember the courage and determination of the generations of women who came before us and paved the way for where we are today. In LA Unified, we remain committed to that work, improving our own policies and practices, advocating for gender equity at the state and federal levels, and ever-more committed to ensuring public education and public institutions support women, children and families.” Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin
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CONTACT: Dr. Krishna Y. Smith, Chief of Staff | Board Member Sherlett Hendy Newbill | District 1 | (213) 241-6382
Published August 25, 2026