HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 03-05-2026; 4-a - Women's History Month 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: March 5, 2026
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Women's History Month Proclamation
DEPARTMENT: Office of Civil Rights and Civic
Life
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Paul Slack, 919-245-2317
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation designating March 2026 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, 2026.
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.
The County will again be hosting the same Color Me Bad Event similar to last year. This event is
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 28, 2026.
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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 the proclamation
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 people regardless of gender, sparked groundbreaking
discoveries, and propelled America toward a more just and equitable society; and
WHEREAS, despite critical contributions, women's stories have too often been
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, the 2026 national theme for Women's History Month — "Leading the
Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future" — celebrates women who are
reimagining and rebuilding systems to ensure long-term sustainability across
environmental, economic, educational, and societal spheres, and it invites all
communities to recognize and support women's leadership in creating a future that works
for everyone; 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 2026 as "Women's History Month" and commend this
observance to Orange County residents, urging them to recognize the women in their
lives with appropriate programs, activities, and celebrations that reflect this year's theme
of leadership and sustainable change.
THIS THE 5th DAY OF MARCH, 2026.
Jean Hamilton, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners