HAMPTON BEACH, N.H. — Women shed their tops and bared their breasts yesterday in the name of equality — drawing crowds of ogling men and teen boys and some admonishments, even as they got thumbs up from others on the beach.

“Men are allowed to take their shirts off — we should be able to,” said Akecia Trevisone, 23, of Newton, Mass.

“These are for nourishment and babies. The only reason they’re sexualized is because of the culture we live in,” Trevisone said, pointing to her breasts — painted to make it appear as if she wore a patriotic top.

Trevisone’s body paint was modest compared to dozens of other women yesterday who chose to sunbathe topless, as part of yesterday’s national activities during GoTopless Day, which promotes gender equality and women’s rights to bare breasts in public. The event is celebrated the Sunday closest to Women’s Equality Day, marking the day American women earned the right to vote. It also coordinated with events in other cities such as New York City and Los Angeles.

Topless women walked the white sands here and the boardwalk, drawing groups of men and boys who asked for selfies, or just started snapping away.

Adrianna Jayne, 29, of Somerville said yesterday marked the first time she’s been “topless anywhere public in my whole life.”

Jayne said she was mostly enjoying the experience except for creepy men who asked to take pictures with her and one woman who disapprovingly wagged her finger at her.

“You should be ashamed of yourself — God’s watching,” Jayne said the woman told her. But she shrugged off the criticism and enjoyed her day at the beach: “I’m not doing it for attention. I want an even tan, that’s all,” Jayne said.

A dispatcher with Hampton police said late yesterday afternoon the topless women were a non-issue, noting that police hadn’t fielded a single call on the matter.

It’s not against the law for women in the “Live Free or Die” state to be topless in public.

Patrice Hill, 57, of Manchester, N.H., said she wasn’t offended by the displays of nudity, but, “I’m just kind of shocked because there are a lot of children walking around. … I thought this was a family beach.”

Kelly Verrier, 35, also of Manchester, N.H., said she feels best in her most natural state.

“I wish more people were topless. I don’t like clothes. I don’t like to feel restricted,” Verrier said.

One man, J.R. Kachinski, 46, of Peabody, said he was wearing a floral turquoise top to promote gender equality.

“This is super uncomfortable,” Kachinski said, adding in a message to men, “I suggest you do it just to see what they go through.”

Herald wire services contributed to this report.