To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Resources Department
Staff Name and Phone Number: Janell Crane, 707-565-2885; Meira Bowcut 707-565-1851
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Adopt a Gold Resolution proclaiming March 2026 as Women’s History Month in Sonoma County
End
Executive Summary:
March has been known as Women’s History Month nationally since 1987. The 2026 Women's History Month theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” calls upon us to confront the wide range of overlapping global challenges including climate change, economic insecurity, healthcare disparities and threats to democratic participation. The Commission on the Status of Women is seeking the Board of Supervisors to recognize the significant role played by women in leading the change toward lasting sustainable solutions to these complex challenges by proclaiming March 2026 as Women’s History Month in Sonoma County.
Discussion:
The celebration of Women's History during the month of March dates to 1977, when the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women (Commission) initiated the Women's History Week project. The Commission sponsored programs for local schools to address the omission of women's history in the curriculum. In 1980, the National Women's History Project was developed by dedicated members of the Commission's Education Task Force. The Project's mission expanded on the mission of the Women's History Week project by recognizing and celebrating the diverse and historic accomplishments of women through educational materials and programs. In 1987, inspired by the work of the National Women's History Project, Public Law 100-9 was passed by Congress, expanding the celebration of Women's History to the entire month of March nationwide. Since 1979, the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has recognized Women’s History Week and beginning in 1987 has designated the month of March as Women’s History Month in Sonoma County in keeping with the National commemoration.
Prior Board Actions:
March 11, 2025 (item 32; File Number 2025-0094 <https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7249222&GUID=9082F650-CD11-4B2C-8A3E-D8D06792811C&Options=ID|Text|&Search=Women%27s+History+Month>): The Board adopted a Gold Resolution proclaiming March 2025 as Women’s History Month in Sonoma County
March 12, 2024 (item 17; File Number 2024-0161 <https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6563819&GUID=0A60A0FF-1E83-4290-8E7E-0693035E74A9&Options=ID|Text|&Search=Women%27s+History+Month>): The Board adopted a Gold Resolution proclaiming March 2024 as Women’s History Month in Sonoma County
March 21, 2023 (item 16; File Number 2023-0344 <https://sonoma-county.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6065759&GUID=067A3230-E337-4D6F-8CDD-95E8B4B8AA16&Options=ID|Text|&Search=Women%27s+History+Monthh>): The Board adopted a Gold Resolution proclaiming March 2023 as Women’s History Month in Sonoma County
1987 - 2013: Each year, the Board proclaimed the month of March to be Women's History Month.
1979 - 1986: Each year, the Board proclaimed the week containing March 8 as Women's History Week.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
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