In honor of the 104th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, it’s crucial to consider the successes achieved by women, especially women of color, whose voices were excluded from the celebratory milestone the 19th amendment is portrayed to be. 

Ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment allowed women the right to vote in the United States. This milestone, while victorious to an extent, was exclusionary toward women of color. 

The story of women’s voting rights is often oversimplified, dismissing this period’s racist practices that prohibited women of color from a seat at the political table. While the constitution outlined that no citizen may be denied the right to participate in the ballot, the tactics used prevented people of color, that being, black, Latin and and Indigenous people, from voicing their thoughts on the future of the land in which they call home. The new legal change of 1920 maintained a white standard in the political sphere, hence only serving white women.  

Women of color relentlessly run the marathon to gender and racial equality— their perseverance is condemned with violence, harassment and imprisonment. Nonetheless, success remains the goal and ongoing result. While much is left to be undone, redefined and dismantled, women like Ida b. Wells and Marry McLeod Bethune laid foundations, inspiring the successes of modern day women of color. 

Whether protecting their homes or represnting their communities on TV screens, these women are showing us what is worth fighting for, from Byllye Y. Avery to Barbie's leading star, America Ferrera. 

Melanie Campbell

Recognized as one of Washington D.C.’s Top 40 Under 40 Emerging Leaders, Melanie Campbell is a driving force in pushing for civic engagement and social justice for Black Americans. 

As the president of the National Coalition Black Civic Participation, Melanie addresses issues including voter suppression, economic inequality and social justice. One of her most significant initiatives is “Black Youth Vote”-- a youth-focused development program empowering young Black Americans to understand their rights, express their opinions and actively participate in the democratic process. She inspired a new generation of leaders, emphasizing the importance of voting, advocacy and community involvement.

Nemonte Nenquimo

From a young age, Nemonte Nenquimo recognized the contrast between the two worlds she inhabited. In one, she was Nemonte, living among her community in the Amazon. In the other, she was known as Ines, navigating the world of oil companies and corruption. 

In 2015, Nemonte co-founded the Ceibo Alliance, a coalition of the A’i Cofan, Siekpai and Siona peoples from Ecuador, Peru and Colombia, dedicated to defending their rights and lands. Nemonte is not one to mess with; in 2019, she successfully stopped the Ecuadorian government from auctioning off half a million acres of land to the oil industry. Nemonte became the first woman chosen as the leading voice of Waorani people in Pasta Province. 

Over her career, Nemonte earned numerous awards, including the Goldman Environmental Prize, a spot in Time Magazine's 100 most influential People and a recognition as a United Nations Champion of the Earth.

Rashida Tlaib

Rashida Tlaib grew up in Detroit as the daughter of two Palestinian immigrant parents. In 2008, she made history as the first Muslim woman to serve in the Michigan Legislature. During her time in office, Rashida fought against the corporations polluting her district. In response to opposition from billionaires and corporations, she launched the “We Have a Right to Breathe” campaign, holding corporations accountable for their obligation to protect public health. 

Throughout her career, Rashida worked alongside grassroots organizations to create policies that protect her district's residents. She established the Neighborhood Service Center, assisting residents with college debt, immigration issues and their access to healthcare and housing. 

As the first Palestinian-American woman elected to Congress, she has been an outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights, unequivocally supporting their right to live freely and with dignity.

Byllye Y. Avery

In 1955, Byllye Y. Avery attended Talladega College, Alabama's oldest historical Black college, where she studied psychology and became involved in the civil rights movements. Five years later, she married Wesely Avery. Wesley’s sudden death from a heart attack impacted Byllyle, revealing her lack of health knowledge. 

This realization drove her to focus her work on reproductive rights. Witnessing the tragic death of a Black woman from a self-induced abortion, due to the inability to travel for abortion assistance, intensified Byllye’s involvement in the feminist movement, addressing the health inequalities black women face. 

Byllye realized that many black women, especially those with lower incomes, lacked basic knowledge about their bodies. In response she developed educational materials and classes to educate women on their health. 

In 1984, she founded the National Black Women's Health Project, a nonprofit offering self-help classes and policy research. In 2002, she created the Avery Institute for Social Change to educate Black Americans on health-care policy.

America Ferrera

From starring in Ugly Betty and leading in Barbie to becoming the first Latina to win an Emmy for a leading role, America Ferrera has not only been a trailblazer for Latinx representation on screen but also uses her platform to uplift underrepresented voices. 

She co-founded Harness, an organization amplifying the voices and stories of marginalized communities, focusing on social justice issues. Ahead of her 2020 elections, america launched an Instagram series that simplifies and unpacks the voting process, addressing topics like voter suppression, particularly for Black, Brown female and young voters. As the 2024 presidential elections approach, will she take on another mission to further educate on the democratic process?

We are all driven by a purpose and puruing a mission. For us, we are passionate about amplifying Muslim and Modest representation in fashion. Read more in our Founder's Note.