The Santa Ana City Council has proclaimed August 26, 2016 as “Women’s Equality Day”. This day commemorates the U.S. Congress’ designation at the behest of Rep. Bella Abzug (D-NY), in 1971.
The date was selected to commemorate the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. This was the culmination of a massive, peaceful civil rights movement by women that had its formal beginnings in 1848 at the world’s first women’s rights convention, in Seneca Falls, New York.
The observance of Women’s Equality Day not only commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also calls attention to women’s continuing efforts toward full equality. Workplaces, libraries, organizations, and public facilities now participate with Women’s Equality Day programs. This year Santa Ana will have an active Voter Registration campaign with focus on women voters and youth participation.
At the last City Council Meeting, Mayor ProTem Sarmiento and Councilmember Martinez presented Maria Huizar, Clerk of the Council, a Proclamation recognizing August 26th as "Women's Equality Day."
All residents are encouraged to celebrate all this month by registering to vote at www.ocvote.com, checking and updating your voter registration status, and requesting election material in your language from the Orange County Voter Registrar’s Office before the next General Municipal Election to be held on November 8, 2016.
For more information please contact the Santa Ana Clerk of the Council Office at (714) 647-6520, during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday and every other Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Joint Resolution of Congress, 1971
Designating August 26th of each year as Women’s Equality Day
WHEREAS, the women of the United States have been treated as second-class citizens and have not been entitled the full rights and privileges, public or private, legal or institutional, which are available to male citizens of the United States; and
WHEREAS, the women of the United States have united to assure that these rights and privileges are available to all citizens equally regardless of sex; and
WHEREAS, the women of the United States have designated August 26th , the anniversary date of the certification of the Nineteenth Amendment, as symbol of the continued fight for equal rights: and
WHEREAS, the women of United States are to be commended and supported in their organizations and activities,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that August 26th of each year is designated as “Women’s Equality Day”, and the President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation annually in commemoration of that day in 1920, on which the women of America were first given the right to vote, and that day in 1970, on which a nationwide demonstration for women’s rights took place.
