United States of America

In cities across the United States, black activists are denouncing state-sanctioned violence and demanding radical changes to American policing. Black women leaders occupy a central role in these movements. Utilizing public spaces—such as city parks and streets—they are advocating for equality and justice and giving voice to historical truths many Americans find uncomfortable.

Many associate the early women’s suffrage movement with suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Stanton gained prominence with her commitment to abolition and the passing of the 13th Amendment, and quickly recognized the need for a women’s equality movement when barred from many abolition conventions and meetings on the basis of her sex. Partnering with Lucretia Mott, Susan B Anthony, and other progressive women, Stanton organized the first Women’s Rights Convention in 1848, the famed convention would later become known as the Seneca Falls

The year 1917 was highly consequential for the suffrage movement. Having lost the chance to defeat the reelection of President Woodrow Wilson, who had initially been lukewarm toward suffrage, activists set their sights on securing voting rights for women by the 1920 presidential election.

In April 1922, Roxie Dunn announced that she was running on the Democratic ticket for county treasurer. In his endorsement, Oat Bryson stated, "Much has been said about the desirability of the woman voter, if we have the women voter, logically we must have the woman office holder."

“Gender in this race?” Senator Elizabeth Warren said outside her home on Thursday. “You know that is the trap question for every woman. If you say, ‘Yeah! There was sexism in this race,’ everyone says, ‘Whiner!’ And if you say, ‘No, there was no sexism, about a bazillion women think, ‘What planet do you live on?’”

She added: “I promise you this. I will have a lot more to say on that subject later on.”

Nevada made history when it became the first state in the US with a female-majority legislature, with women holding 51% of the seats, in December 2018.

The moment was hailed as a great victory for women - but did having more women in power make a practical difference?

Here are five areas Nevada legislated on in 2019 - which commentators say were helped by the fact there were more women at the table.