TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft a resolution in support of "Women's Equality Day," on August 26, 2015, commemorating the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
DISCUSSION
In 1971, Congress passed a Joint Resolution declaring August 26 of each year Women's Equality Day. This year marks the 95th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, extending the right to vote to women. This courageous campaign, which formally began with the first women's rights convention at Seneca Falls, New York, in 1848, spanned seventy-two (72) years and was carried out by tens of thousands of persistent women and men.
The women's suffrage amendment was introduced for the first time to Congress on January 10, 1878. It was re-submitted numerous times until finally receiving approval from both the United States House of Representatives and the Senate in June 1919. Bya one-vote margin, the State of Tennessee approved the amendment in August 1920, providing the final vote needed for ratification. The amendment officially became law on August 26, 1920.
Today, workplaces, libraries, civic organizations, government bodies, and public facilities participate in Women's Equality Day with special programs, displays, and other activities.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
STACY MUNGO, COUNCILWOMAN
FIFTH DISTRICT
LENA GONZALEZ, COUNCILWOMAN
FIRST DISTRICT
VICE MAYOR SUJA LOWENTHAL, COUNCILMEMBER
SECOND DISTRICT
SUZIE PRICE, COUNCILWOMAN
THIRD DISTRICT