HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-06-2025; 4-a - Women’s History Month Proclamation 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 6, 2025
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Women's History Month Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Office of Equity and Inclusion
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Paul Slack, (919) 245-2317
Color Me Bad Event Flyer
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating March 2025 as Women's History Month in
Orange County.
BACKGROUND: The celebration of Women's History Month traces its roots to the socialist and
labor movements in New York City. The first Women's Day took place on February 28, 1909,
marking the one-year anniversary of the garment workers' strikes in which thousands of women
marched for economic rights. This strike followed another in 1857, when garment workers took to
the streets demanding equal rights and a 10-hour workday. Within two years, the movement grew
into an international event. In 1975, the United Nations officially recognized International Women's
Day, which will be celebrated on March 8, 2025.
When Women's History Month was first established, feminists in the United States saw it as an
opportunity to highlight the contributions of women — contributions that had been largely
overlooked in American history. The celebration began as a national observance in 1981, when
Congress authorized and requested that President Jimmy Carter proclaim the week of March 7,
1982, as "Women's History Week." In 1987, the Women's History Month Project successfully
petitioned Congress to expand the celebration to the entire month of March. President Ronald
Reagan was the first to issue a proclamation declaring March as Women's History Month.
Today, local, state, and federal government agencies continue this tradition, recognizing March
as Women's History Month with events, programs, and celebrations.
Attached is a flyer to the County-sponsored Color Me Bad Event, a Women's Retreat examining
rest as resilience and resistance. Tricia Hersey, an American poet, performance artist, and
activist, popularized this concept, arguing that rest is a direct challenge to systems of oppression
that demand constant productivity, especially from women. The Color Me Bad event will occur on
March 22, 2025.
County staff are also in the process of completing planning for a film and panel discussion
centered around the life and work of Pauli Murray. This event is being planned in collaboration
with the Pauli Murray Center.
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FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
proclamation.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 5: PUBLIC EDUCATION/ LEARNING COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 1. Foster collaborative relationships with formal and informal educational
organizations and agencies to provide opportunities for community members to meet,
connect, and learn together.
• GOAL 6: DIVERSE AND VIBRANT ECONOMY
OBJECTIVE 1. Provide family-oriented and inclusive programming or other cultural events
for residents and visitors.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the proclamation.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, American women of every race, class, and background have shaped our
nation through their innovation, creativity, and leadership — successfully rewriting the narrative for
a nation that has not always recognized their contributions; and
WHEREAS, American women have played and continue to play vital economic, cultural,
and social roles in every sphere of the life of the nation — excelling in academics, the arts, politics,
medicine, sports, and beyond — while navigating challenges both seen and unseen; and
WHEREAS, women have been at the forefront of every major progressive social change
movement, often advocating for justice when their own struggles were overlooked, including the
suffrage movement, the abolitionist movement, the industrial labor movement, the Civil Rights
Movement, and many more; and
WHEREAS, the courage of countless trailblazing American women has shattered barriers
and glass ceilings, inspired countless people regardless of their gender, sparked groundbreaking
discoveries, and generally propelled America to a more just and equitable society; and
WHEREAS, despite critical contributions, women's stories have been too often
marginalized in the teaching and retelling of history, making it our collective responsibility to uplift
and honor the women who have shaped our past and continue to shape our future; and
WHEREAS, Orange County is committed to fostering True Community, which Reverend
Dr. Pauli Murray defined as "being based upon equality, mutuality, and reciprocity," and will
continue to elevate the dialogue on women's history and their collective power in shaping a more
just and equitable society;
NOW, THEREFORE, do we, the Board of Commissioners of Orange County, North
Carolina hereby proclaim March 2025 as "Women's History Month" and commend this
observance to Orange County residents and call upon them to recognize the women in their lives
with appropriate programs, activities and celebrations.
THIS THE 6th DAY OF MARCH, 2025.
Jamezetta Bedford, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
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Celebrate Women's History Mont with.
Creativity& Connection!
Join us for a vibrant and relaxing Women's History
Month event designed for women to unwind, express
creativity, and connect over a delightful brunch. IF
We invite women of all backgrounds to tap into their -
joy and free artistic expressions. Come color, brunch
and celebrate the contributions of woman with us! -_
Reserve yo-br spot . orangeco u ntynLgov/Co lorMe Bad
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Saturday, March 10am - lpm
1 Arts Mill, 437 DimmocksRd, Hillsborough,
Equity@orangecountync.govORANGE COUNTY OFFICE of
ECU11QZ& 7 RAtiNG G�E COUNTY919-245-2594 (4000CINCLUSI
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