As our world continues to evolve, it’s more important than ever to recognize holidays like Women’s Equality Day and the incredible achievements they represent. Women’s Equality Day is celebrated each year on August 26th to commemorate the anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment, which gave women the right to vote in 1920.
Of course, 1920 wasn’t that long ago—and though we have much to celebrate on Women’s Equality Day, it is also an important time to examine the state of women in today’s world and to look ahead to developing a better future.
These thoughtful Women’s Equality Day journal prompts are a great tool to get your high school students thinking about these essential issues. With questions ranging from topics like feminist icons to the Bechdel test to the meaning of advocacy, there are plenty of prompts that both girls and boys can engage with. Some topics will be familiar to students while others will challenge them to expand their minds—but they will all give teens the opportunity to learn and grow in their awareness of the issues that women face today.
Use these Women’s Equality Day journal prompts with your students to mark this important occasion!
35 Journal Prompts for Students to Celebrate Women’s Equality Day
- How can you be a positive force for feminism?
- What does it mean for women to support women? Do you believe that’s something that is important? Why or why not?
- Is it okay for women to criticize other women? Why or why not?
- In what ways have you seen women’s equality evolve throughout your lifetime?
- What are some things that teenage boys might struggle to understand about the issues that teenage girls face?
- How can girls help their male peers to better understand the issues women face?
- What does it mean to be an advocate? Write about a man who is a great advocate for women’s issues.
- Why does feminism sometimes get a bad rap? Explain and discuss what this means for women.
- Have you ever met someone who didn’t believe women were equal to men? Describe your experience.
- What are some issues that women face today that previous generations didn’t have to deal with?
- What advancements in women’s equality do you hope to see in your lifetime?
- Who is the greatest female role model in your life? Describe what you admire about her.
- Why is feminism important? And who is feminism important to?
- What benefits can feminism have for men?
- What would it mean to see a female president in the United States?
- Discuss how the US is more advanced in some ways—and less advanced in other ways—than other countries when it comes to women’s issues.
- Does your family fit into traditional gender roles? Describe the way you’ve seen your family members conform to or break gender norms.
- In your mind, what is the goal of feminism? Do you feel like others would agree with you? Why or why not?
- Write about a time when you witnessed a woman receiving lesser treatment because of her sex.
- Can a woman still be a feminist if she also adheres to traditional gender roles? Why or why not?
- Why is the subject of equal pay so controversial? Do you believe the wage gap exists? Why or why not?
- What is “rape culture”? Why are its effects so damaging on women and men alike? Give examples of problems that women and men may each face as a result of rape culture.
- What do people mean when they say “women’s rights are human rights”? Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
- Write about a feminist icon you admire.
- Do female celebrities have a responsibility to act as role models to young girls? Why or why not? Are their responsibilities any different than those that male celebrities have to young boys?
- Why is it so important for women to have greater representation?
- Do you feel like women are well represented in your favorite books, movies, and TV shows? Why or why not?
- Research the Bechdel test. Then, watch your favorite movie or TV show and see if it passes the test. Discuss what you noticed.
- Write about a time when you saw two girls or women supporting each other.
- Should fields that are traditionally dominated by men make an effort to recruit, train, and hire women? Why or why not?
- What is one thing you would want to teach your daughters and granddaughters about feminism?
- Why do you think we, as a society, treat boys and girls so differently from one another from the time they are born?
- What is the best thing about being a woman in today’s world?
- What is the hardest thing about being a woman in today’s world?
- Do you believe women’s rights are in danger of regressing? Why or why not?
Until next time, keep on writing!
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