To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Commission on the Status of Women
Staff Name and Phone Number: Victoria Willard, 707-565-2955
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Adopt a Gold Resolution proclaiming August 26, 2022 to be Women’s Equality Day in Sonoma County (Countywide)
End
Executive Summary:
Women’s Equality Day was established in 1971 through a Joint Resolution of Congress. The date of August 26th was chosen in commemoration of the passage of the 19th Amendment and, to celebrate and recognize the history of the United States suffrage movement that officially began in New York in 1848. Seventy-two years later, in 1920, women were finally given the right to vote, however women of color were not guaranteed the right to vote until the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
The Commission on the Status of Women strives to carry forward the legacy of the suffrage movement by providing programs that support the equality of women and girls in our community - a key component of the Junior Commissioner Project, a leadership and mentoring program for high-school age youth - and partnering with organizations that promote the participation of women in the electoral and political process.
Discussion:
The Commission believes Women's Equality Day is not only an opportunity to recognize and honor the efforts of the people who fought for equal rights for women, but that Women’s Equality Day is also an opportunity to bring attention to the reality that despite decades of progress, women have not achieved true equality beyond the voting booth. Women still face an array of gender-related disparities in many areas, including but not limited to employment earnings, economic security, personal safety and healthcare. These disparities play a major role in the lack of women in positions of corporate leadership and elected office.
The purpose of the Commission on the Status of Women is to promote equal rights and opportunities that enhance the quality of life for all women and girls, and to address issues of discrimination and prejudice that negatively affect women in Sonoma County. In support of the mission statement above and the challenges women are still faced with today, the Commission has been focusing on the following issues that affect women and girls in an effort to bring about change.
1. Impact of COVID-19 on Women in the Workforce
The purpose of the Impact of COVID-19 on Women in the Workforce Ad-hoc is to identify and advocate on behalf of women throughout Sonoma County who have been affected by job loss during the pandemic and/or the inability to return to work due to loss of childcare or preschool closures. COVID-19 has had a massive negative impact on economic growth in Sonoma County as well as the need for community support for families with young children, and especially for women caring for children on their own. Often women, specifically women of color, take on jobs in hospitality, food service, and essential jobs in our schools as health care assistants, as home heath aids, and specifically as childcare workers and providers. This impacts our businesses’ ability to stay open as well as the ability of the women to care for their families, due to their own loss of income. Many women during the pandemic have needed to stay home to care for their own children and have not been able to return to work.
2. Voices of Sonoma County Women: COVID-19 Pandemic Edition
The intention of this project is to gain a deeper understanding of the status of women of all backgrounds in Sonoma County and to respond to the specific needs and concerns they have. To these ends, a series of “Listening Sessions” were held throughout the county in 2019 and distributed a print and online survey. In the Spring of 2020, the commission created an in-depth report utilizing the data and the stories collected and distributed it widely. The 2021-22 project focuses on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted Sonoma County women and girls. The ad hoc is one of the recipients for the competitive Women’s Recovery Response Grant, which supports projects aimed at addressing the post-pandemic economic recovery of women and girls in California. With this support, they are partnering with the Center for the Advancement of Women to create the Status of Women and Girls in Sonoma County Report, scheduled to be released in Spring of 2023.
3. Sonoma County Spirit Award Project
The annual Sonoma County Spirit Award recognizes five outstanding leaders who improve the lives of women and girls in Sonoma County. Every year, the Commission selects five judges, creates the nomination process with input from the judges, and presents the winners to the public in the fall. Judges select new criteria every year based on what is happening in Sonoma County and across the world. The Commission on the Status of Women created this award to acknowledge how much unpaid work often goes unseen and uncelebrated by leaders of all kinds. Winners receive a small token of appreciation and are listed publicly on our website for years to come.
Prior Board Actions:
In 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2010, and 2006 through 2008, the Board of Supervisors passed Resolutions proclaiming August 26 to be Women’s Equality Day in Sonoma County.
Fiscal Summary
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
Adopting a resolution proclaiming August 26, 2022 to be Women’s Equality Day in Sonoma County does not have any fiscal impacts to the County.
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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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