PRINTER'S NO. 2885
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
701
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY DAVIS, COHEN, ROZZI, SIMS, VEREB, MILLARD, CORBIN,
KIRKLAND, THOMAS, SANTARSIERO, DRISCOLL, BOBACK, KOTIK,
O'BRIEN, MARSICO, DiGIROLAMO, BIZZARRO, CALTAGIRONE,
MACKENZIE, SCHREIBER, KAVULICH, WATSON, DONATUCCI, TOOHIL,
GODSHALL, WHEELAND, KINSEY, LONGIETTI, DEAN, SCHWEYER,
McNEILL, ROSS, PHILLIPS-HILL, CONKLIN, MURT, ROEBUCK,
GOODMAN, YOUNGBLOOD, GROVE, READSHAW, PETRI, PAYNE, KIM,
NEILSON, MAJOR, MAHONEY, PASHINSKI, D. COSTA, SCHLOSSBERG,
BULLOCK, DAVIDSON, R. BROWN, BURNS, D. PARKER, P. COSTA,
HARHAI, FRANKEL, PICKETT, ELLIS, HARHART, QUINN, MUSTIO,
GINGRICH, SACCONE, KAUFER, STAATS, HAHN, KLUNK, SCHLEGEL
CULVER, WARD, KORTZ, EVERETT, HEFFLEY AND BRADFORD,
FEBRUARY 24, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
FEBRUARY 24, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of March 2016 as "National Women's History
Month" and March 8, 2016, as "International Women's Day" 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
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establishment of early charitable, philanthropic and cultural
institutions in the nation; and
WHEREAS, American women have been leaders, not only in
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 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 "Working to Form a More Perfect Union," which honors
women who have strengthened our democracy through public service
and government leadership by championing human rights and by
ensuring access and equal opportunity for all Americans; and
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WHEREAS, Against social convention and often legal
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
WHEREAS, "International Women's Day" is now celebrated
annually on March 8; and
WHEREAS, 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 2016 theme of "International Women's Day" is
"Pledge for Parity," emphasizing the need for both men and women
to take concrete steps to advocate within their spheres of
influence pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity; 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 as 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 for equal educational rights and
to highlight the numerous contributions of women across this
Commonwealth and the nation; and
WHEREAS, The recognition of March 2016 as "National Women's
History Month" and March 8, 2016, as "International Women's Day"
highlights the numerous contributions of women across this
Commonwealth and the nation who created a more fair and just
society for all people; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of March 2016 as "National Women's History Month" and
March 8, 2016, as "International Women's Day" in Pennsylvania
and invite the women, men and children of this Commonwealth 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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