To: County of Sonoma Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Commission on the Status of Women
Staff Name and Phone Number: Meira Bowcut 707-565-1851
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Recommended Action:
Title
Adopt a Gold Resolution proclaiming March 2024 as Women’s History Month in Sonoma County
End
Executive Summary:
The Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women requests Board adoption of a Gold Resolution proclaiming March as Women’s History Month in Sonoma County. The 2024 Women's History Month theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion”, which recognizes the women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely for our lives and institutions.
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. The 2024 Women's History Month theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion”, which directly recognizes the women throughout the country who understand that, for a positive future, we need to eliminate bias and discrimination entirely for our lives and institutions. This is the time to highlight stories of American women of all ages, races and cultural backgrounds who led campaigns for equality and civil rights, advanced professional and educational opportunities, founded entirely new enterprises, and contributed significantly to the arts, sciences, and humanistic causes.
Prior Board Actions:
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.
2023-0344: Adopt a Gold Resolution proclaiming March 2023 as Women’s History Month in Sonoma County
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
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Attachments:
Gold Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
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