The first time candidate marks the 19th Amendment with an ask for Floridians to vote
Democratic candidate for Florida State House District 47 Anna V. Eskamani is known across the state and country as an advocate for women’s rights and empowerment. This Sunday is Women’s Equality Day, which marks the passage of the 19th Amendment that granted women the right to vote in 1920.
Like all equality movements, guaranteeing women the right to vote in America was no easy feat. The movement gained momentum with the first woman’s rights convention of 1948. Hosted in New York, it was here when suffrage leader Elizabeth Cady Stanton, 68 other women, and 32 men signed the Declaration of Sentiments, a document outlining the alienation of women and the call for “the institution of a new government” where women have equal rights.
In the following decades, women across the country began organizing and pushed for their right to vote with picketing, demonstrations, and hunger strikes that even led to jail time. Finally, on August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified.
Anna’s video highlights this history, and lifts up the importance of voting to honor the women who fought so hard for our right to vote.
“Women’s Equality Day serves as a powerful reminder of what it takes to have your voice be heard,” said Anna. “We must never forget the sacrifice of our suffragettes, and honor their work through voting, and advocacy.”
Anna added:
“In Florida and across the country, women are making great strides. Yet, disparities in our state still exist, and they are deep. A closer look at data reveals that too many women and girls live in poverty with limited access to education, health care, affordable housing, and other important support systems that would allow them to achieve economic stability. Improving the status of women is essential to Florida’s future, and I cannot wait to get Tallahassee so we can find common ground to better the lives of women and girls across our great state.”
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More About Anna
Anna V. Eskamani is an Orlando native and daughter of immigrants who has worked relentlessly her entire life to protect all members of our community through effective advocacy, bold leadership, and strategic management. A community organizer with a proven track record in building consensus while fighting unapologetically for progressive values, for the last six years Anna served as the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Communications for Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida. She managed a team of six across 22 counties and is known in the legislature and across the nation as an advocate for women’s health and equality. Anna is also a PhD student in Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida and serves as an Adjunct Professor teaching Intro to Women’s Studies. Tough, authentic and unafraid, Anna is a progressive who has proven herself as a leader who works hard, delivers results, and gets things done.
Anna has earned the endorsement of over 60 community leaders and organizations, including an early endorsement from Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. She was also one of the 48 women featured on the cover of Time magazine. When elected, Anna will be the first Iranian-American to serve in the Florida legislature.