Agenda 4-a - Women's History Month

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1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 7, 2019 Action Agenda Item No. 4-a SUBJECT: Women's History Month DEPARTMENT: Human Rights and Relations ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Proclamation Annette M. Moore, 919-245-2317 PURPOSE: To officially recognize March 2019 as Women's History Month in Orange County. BACKGROUND: Celebration of Women's History Month had its roots in the socialist and labor movements in New York City. The first "Women's Day" took place on February 28, 1909. The day honored the one year anniversary of the garment worker's strikes that had taken place in New York, where thousands of women marched for economic rights. That strike followed another strike that occurred in 1857 when garment workers marched for equal rights and 10- hour work days. Within two years the event grew into an international event. In 1975, the United Nations officially began International Women's Day; which will be celebrated on March 8t" this year. At the inception of Women's History Month, feminists in the United States saw the designation of the month as a way to celebrate a history that had largely overlooked the contributions of women in America. Women's History Month has its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress authorized and requested President Jimmy Carter proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as "Women's History Week." In 1987, the Women's History Month Project petitioned congress to designate the month of March as "Women's History Month." President Ronald Reagan was the first president to proclaim March as Women's History Month. Currently, local, state and federal governments annually proclaim March as "Women's History Month." Each year the National Women's History Project declares a theme. The 2019 theme is "Visionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence." FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this proclamation. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to this item: • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND INEQUITY The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic status. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Proclamation.