HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-17-2014 - 6c1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 17, 2014
SUBJECT: Proclamation — Women's Eaual
DEPARTMENT: Housing, Human Rights, and
Community Development
Action Agenda
Item No. 6 -c
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
HRC Proposed Proclamation James E. Davis, Jr. 919 - 245 -2488
PURPOSE: To officially recognize August 26, 2014 as Women's Equality Day.
BACKGROUND: On June 4, 1919 Congress passed the 19th Amendment which guarantees all
American women the right to vote. This Amendment was ratified by a majority of the States on
August 18, 1920 and was declared effective law on August 26, 1920. The passing of this law
was the culmination of a national peaceful civil rights movement by women that began as early
as the 1840's.
First proclaimed in 1971, the U.S. Congress designated August 26 as "Women's Equality Day"
to commemorate the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. 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 and
equity in all areas of life, including politics and the workplace.
The Orange County Human Relations Commission (HRC) recognizes that the equitable
treatment of women is paramount and hopes that the acknowledgment of Women's Equality
Day will encourage Orange County residents to take a stand against gender inequities.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board adopt and authorize the Chair
to sign the Women's Equality Day Proclamation.
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
Women's Equality Day
WHEREAS, women have been leaders in securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity,
and have played an instrumental role in the foundation of the United States of America;
and
WHEREAS, historically the role and importance of women has been overlooked and otherwise not
granted the same gravity and respect as their male counterparts; and
WHEREAS, women have been denied equal access, opportunities and rights granted to their male
counterparts under the laws governing the United States resulting in discrimination and
inequitable treatment; and
WHEREAS, the 191' Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granting women the right to vote was ratified
on August 18, 1920 and was effective on August 26, 1920; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Congress first proclaimed "Women's Equality Day" on August 26, 1971 to
commemorate the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and to promote
the continuing efforts of women to achieve full rights and privileges, public or private,
legal or institutional, which are available to male citizens of the United States; and
WHEREAS, gender discrimination and inequity are persistent in wages and earnings where women in
North Carolina earn 83 cents for every dollar earned by men, earn 79 cents in the North
Carolina Triangle area, and nationally women earn 77 cents for every dollar earned by
men; and
WHEREAS, women in the North Carolina Triangle with some college education or an associate's
degree earn less than men with only a high school education; and
WHEREAS, on January 29, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of
2009, the first bill that he signed into law to amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and
WHEREAS, the residents of Orange County support the equitable treatment of women, their right to
equal access, and that opportunities for women should not be denied or abridged;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim August 26,
2014 as Women's Equality Day in Orange County and encourage residents and businesses to promote
the equitable treatment of women.
This the 17h day ofJune 2014.
Barry Jacobs, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners