PRINTER'S NO. 376
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
74
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY DAVIS, NEUMAN, WHEATLEY, FRANKEL, COHEN, KIRKLAND,
O'NEILL, C. PARKER, KOTIK, HENNESSEY, CORBIN, LONGIETTI,
TOEPEL, ACOSTA, KIM, V. BROWN, SCHLOSSBERG, DiGIROLAMO,
VEREB, GOODMAN, WATSON, DeLUCA, MILLARD, BISHOP, MACKENZIE,
FARINA, SANTARSIERO, O'BRIEN, HARHART, SCHWEYER, MARSICO,
STURLA, EVERETT, CALTAGIRONE, CONKLIN, MURT, ROSS, READSHAW,
BROWNLEE, SABATINA, MAJOR, DONATUCCI, MAHONEY, McCARTER,
ROEBUCK, GIBBONS AND ROZZI, FEBRUARY 9, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
FEBRUARY 9, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing March 8, 2015, as "International Women's Day" and
the month of March 2015 as "National Women's History Month"
in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Women of every race, class and ethnic background
have made historic contributions to the growth and strength of
the nation and the world in countless recorded and unrecorded
ways; and
WHEREAS, American women have played and continue to play a
critical economic, cultural and social role in every sphere of
the life of the nation by constituting a significant portion of
the labor force, working inside and outside the home; and
WHEREAS, American women were particularly important in the
establishment of early charitable, philanthropic and cultural
institutions in the nation; and
WHEREAS, American women have been leaders, not only in
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securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity, but
also in the abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement,
the industrial labor movement, the civil rights movement, and
other movements, especially the peace movement, each of which
created a more fair and just society for all; and
WHEREAS, Despite these contributions, the role of American
women in history has been consistently overlooked and
undervalued in the literature, teaching and study of American
and world history; and
WHEREAS, After the American Revolution, the notion of
education as a safeguard for democracy created opportunities for
girls to gain only a basic education; and
WHEREAS, Pioneers of secondary education for young women
faced arguments from physicians and others who claimed that
females were incapable of intellectual development equal to men
and that they would be harmed by striving for it; and
WHEREAS, The commitment of women to educational equality
throughout the entirety of academia has resulted in the
ascension of women in politics and government; and
WHEREAS, The year 2015 marks the 35th anniversary of the
National Women's History Project; and
WHEREAS, The National Women's History Project began with a
proclamation by President Jimmy Carter that declared the week of
March 8, 1980, as the first National Women's History Week; and
WHEREAS, This year, the theme for National Women's History
Month is "Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives," which presents
the opportunity to weave women's stories individually and
collectively into the essential fabric of our nation's history;
and
WHEREAS, Against social convention and often legal
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restraints, women have created a legacy that expands the
frontiers of possibility for generations to come and have
demonstrated their character, courage and commitment as mothers,
educators, institution builders, relief workers, CEOs and
leaders in business, politics, religion and the community; and
WHEREAS, The lives of these women and their work inspire
girls and women to achieve their full potential and encourage
boys and men to respect the diversity and depth of women's
experience; and
WHEREAS, The first International Women's Day was held in 1911
and now each year International Women's Day is celebrated on
March 8; and
WHEREAS, Annually on International Women's Day, thousands of
events are held throughout the world to inspire women and
celebrate the social, political and economic achievements of
women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further
action; and
WHEREAS, The 2015 theme of International Women's Day is
"Equality for Women is Progress for all," emphasizing how gender
equality, empowerment of women, women's full enjoyment of human
rights and the eradication of poverty are essential to economic
and social development; and
WHEREAS, The vast array of communication channels, supportive
spokespeople, equality research, campaigns and corporate
responsibility initiatives means everyone can be an advocate
inspiring change for women's advancement; and
WHEREAS, Thousands of events occur to mark the economic,
political and social achievements of women and organizations,
governments, charities, educational institutions, women's
groups, corporations and the media celebrate the day; and
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WHEREAS, National Women's History Month and International
Women's Day are ideal venues for all Pennsylvanians to reflect
and recognize women's struggle to obtain equal educational
rights and to highlight the numerous contributions of women
across this Commonwealth and the nation; and
WHEREAS, The recognition of March 2015 as National Women's
History Month and March 8, 2015, as International Women's Day
highlights the numerous contributions of women across this
Commonwealth and the nation who helped create a more fair and
just society for all people; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of March 2015 as "National Women's History Month" in
Pennsylvania and March 8, 2015, as "International Women's Day"
and invite the women, men and children of this Commonwealth to
continue to explore the critical economic, cultural and social
roles women have played and continue to play in every sphere of
life in this Commonwealth and the nation.
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