Dear Friends and Neighbors,
On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified granting women in the United States the right to vote after decades of organizing, marching, and enduring threats and violence in their fight for a voice in the democratic process. Though the amendment barred sex-based discrimination, many Black women remained disenfranchised until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 due to Jim Crow-era suppression tactics like poll taxes and literacy tests, especially in the South.
Even after landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, voter suppression tactics persisted. 105 years later they still do! In 2025, we continue to see court battles over the Voting Rights Act and openly racially-motivated partisan gerrymandering aimed at silencing women and communities of color.
Today, on Women’s Equality Day, women’s rights are facing new and serious challenges under the Trump Administration:
● Reproductive freedom has already been swept away in many states and is under attack in others, with efforts to limit access to birth control and fertility treatments.
● Workplace protections and pay equity have stalled or have been rolled back, keeping too many women from economic security. This Administration is running a concerted attack on women in leadership positions across the federal government. These actions extend to state and local governments, slashing federal support and grants that our communities and essential institutions rely on every day.
● Legal protections for survivors of violence are being decimated, while disparities in representation and political power continue to grow.
Here in Maryland, we are fortunate to have tools and ways to fight back.
In Maryland, we made real progress by amending the state constitution to protect reproductive health care, expanding paid family leave, and advancing fairer wages. But, even as we honor and celebrate past victories, we must remember today is a powerful call to action. Women have always been at the heart of movements for justice. Women's voices and our votes have the power to shape the future. Now more than ever, we must stand up together. We can do this!
As your Delegate, I will continue fighting for these values and for the women of Maryland. Because knowledge is power, I’m committed to keeping you informed about events, programs, and resources that support and empower our communities.
Here are a few valuable resources to explore:
Join my campaign. My next campaign event is on Sunday, September 14th from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm in Potomac, MD. Hope to see you there. Scroll down to register and check out other exciting events and ways to get involved in our community.
Wishing you all a Happy Women's Equality Day!
With heart and purpose,
Tazeen Ahmad
Candidate for Delegate
MD District 16
tazeen@tazeenformaryland.com
Leading with Heart, Delivering with Purpose
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