Today marks the 87th anniversary of United States' women having the right to vote, earned through the 1920 passing of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. In celebration, Congress has designated the day Women's Equality Day.

The day was designated in 1971, following urging from the late Rep. Bella Abzug, D-New York.

"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex," the amendment reads.

Hanford resident Winnie Furrer, 79, recalls her grandmother being very outspoken about not having the right to vote. But rather than let it discourage her, Furrer's grandmother expressed her political opinion to her brothers and father -- those she knew who could vote.

Furrer herself always had the right to vote. But, she did face gender-based issues through the Great Depression, World War II and the Vietnam War.

In 1954, Furrer was promoted to an office supervisor position in San Diego. It was a clerical title -- falling into the limited category of jobs that women could hold at that time, Furrer said. At that time, many unions had male jobs defined and female jobs defined, Furrer said. Following her promotion, she was earning $2 an hour. Her husband was earning $4 or $5 an hour, as a garage mechanic. Because of his gender, her husband got higher pay.

Furrer never worried about being paid less at that time.

"I didn't even think about it," Furrer said. "You just felt kind of lucky that you had a job. Until one day, when I looked at his paycheck."

Several years later, in the late 1970s, Furrer became the first woman to have a male job as an installation foreman for Pacific Bell, she said. The new position required her to climb telephone poles and lower herself into manholes. Furrer was in her mid-forties at that time.

"I felt the responsibility of succeeding because if I didn't I might disallow any other female the job that I had," Furrer said. "I took off my high heels and skirts, and got pants. Somebody had to do it, and I was there and given the opportunity."

Furrer says young girls now talk as though it's not their job to vote.

"I feel deep concern about the number of people that are voting," Furrer said.

She also mentioned some of the topics of current political importance.

"If those had been done in the '70s, we would be marching in the streets," Furrer said. "I see no one marching in the streets. Now they are more interested in who has a boob job. Now I see a group of kids who are disenchanted with politics."

Joye May, an 84-year-old Hanford resident, said she didn't believe her mom felt voting was in her domain. As a child, May felt she was not treated equal to men.

"But it never bothered me," May said. "In school, the boys always said 'oh, you're just a girl.' But I could take on a boy if he got too smart."

Suffragists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott put on a convention in Seneca Falls, N.Y. in 1847, to discuss the rights of women. At the convention, 100 people -- men and women -- signed a declaration which said that women should be allowed the same rights as men.

Every year, the president proclaims Aug. 26 as Women's Equality Day. In last year's proclamation, President George W. Bush said the courage of the suffragists "made our nation a more stronger and more hopeful place," according to the White House's government Web site.

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(Aug. 26, 2007)