THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
COUNTY OF SAN MATEO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA

PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING AUGUST 26, 2008 AS

Women’s Equality Day

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WHEREAS, since 1971, the date of August 26 has been set aside nationally to commemorate the 1920 ratification of the 19^th Amendment to the US Constitution, recognizing and guaranteeing women their voting rights, and to highlight women’s continuing efforts toward full equality; and

WHEREAS, universal suffrage was the culmination of a massive, peaceful civil rights movement, with roots in the July 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, the first women’s rights convention in the United States and often credited as the birthplace of feminism; and

WHEREAS, over the past 88 years, women have made significant strides towards equality, including the Equality Pay Act of 1963 that promised wage equality; the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that outlawed gender-based employment discrimination; and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 that ensured American women equal opportunities in educational and athletic programs; and

WHEREAS, in 2008 women continue to achieve milestones and to distinguish themselves as leaders in government, corporations, academia and across the disciplines, as evidenced by a woman serving as speaker of the US House of Representatives, a woman being a major contender for the White House and locally with women serving as presidents of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors for two consecutive years; and

WHEREAS, despite historic changes in laws, beliefs and attitudes, true equality remains elusive, underscored by the significant pay gap of a woman’s wages averaging some 24 percent less than a man performing the same work, with even greater disparities for women of color; women continue to suffer from violence and isolation; and women and girls are still being enslaved globally and even within the United States; and

WHEREAS, Women’s Equality Day is an opportunity for everyone to remember and to teach youth that the rights and privileges women enjoy today were hard-won and that such progress requires protection and vigilance, both at the ballot box and by continuing to work for true equality at all levels.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of the County of San Mateo, State of California, hereby designates August 26, 2008, as Women’s Equality Day in recognition of the importance of continued efforts to improve the status of women in San Mateo County, across California, the United States and around the world.

Dated: AUGUST 12, 2008

SUPERVISORS:

ADRIENNE J. TISSIER, PRESIDENT

MARK CHURCH

JERRY HILL

RICHARD S. GORDON

ROSE JACOBS GIBSON

Attest:

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Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors