MADISON, Wis. - Dozens of people gathered at the Capitol in the late afternoon sun on Monday both to celebrate women's suffrage and to call out the inequalities still faced, as part of an annual event to mark the occasion.

Women's Equality Day was started in 1971 by a joint resolution of Congress in recognition of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.

Local protest singing group the Raging Grannies kicked things off with a series of re-tailored numbers that largely poked fun at everything from the perceived failings of the health care system, to the so-called Republican "War on Women."

Sandra Rybachek, recognized in 2011 by UMOS as "Hispanic Woman of the Year" for her work on immigrant rights in the state, joined friend and guitarist Mary Ray Worley for a few songs, in Spanish, about change and equality.

"This is not, nor should it ever be, a partisan issue," said organizer Wendi Kent. "Women make up more than half of this country's population and yet we are still treated as second class citizens."

Kent cited the most recent findings from 2009 that show women still earning just .77 cents to every dollar made by a man. Kent also criticized modern politicians, mostly Republicans, quoting National Organization of Women president Terry O’Neill when she noted a "legislative tsunami against women.”

Emily Mills

Editor-At-Large

Emily Mills is Editor-At-Large for Dane101, as well as Editor of Our Lives Magazine. She is also a freelance writer, photographer, actor, and musician (drummer and singer in local band Little Red Wolf). Originally from several states up and down the Midwest Emily has called Madison home since 2000. Contact her at