Proclamation
Whereas, in March , we celebrate W omen’s History Month , and honor the contributions of women in American history, despite hardship, discrimination, and exclusion; and
Whereas, we also celebrate more than 200 years of women bravely serving in the U.S. military. Today, more than 200,000 women represent 16% of our nation’s armed forces, and we honor more than 2 million women veterans; and
Whereas, while we honor the contributions of women throughout American history, wage and opportunity gaps continue to exist. W omen earn $.84 for every dollar earned by a man, more than $400,000 over her 40-year career, and women of color earn even less ; women are less likely to have professional and technical jobs or hold leadership positions; and women spend more time than men performing unpaid household work and providing child and elder care; and
Whereas, at the current pace, women are not expected to reach pay parity until 2059. Efforts to close wage and opportunity gaps must address the systemic barriers to full participation and the multitude of biases that hold women, particularly women of color, LGBTQ women, and women with other diverse identities, and their families, back; and
Whereas, despite relentless obstacles, women continue to march forward and represent the City of Alameda in the United States Senate, United States Congress, California State Senate, and California State Assembly; women make up the majority of members on the Alameda City Council and Alameda Unified School District Board of Education; 62% of Alameda’s appointed Board and Commission members are women, and 37% of City employees and more than half of City department heads are women.
Whereas, the 2022 Women’s History Month theme is "Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope ," a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both heal ing and hope throughout history; and
Whereas, here in Alameda, we stand in solidarity with Ukrainian women, who are severely impacted by Russia’s war, and along with their children represent most of the millions of refugees who are forced to flee their country, homeless, helpless, and reversing important gains on gender equality and women’s rights.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that I, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Mayor of the City of Alameda, hereby declare March 2022 as
Women’s History Month
in the City of Alameda and encourage our community to observe and celebrate trailblazing women, past and present, and take action now to reverse continued inequities and ensure gender equality for future generations of girls.
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft
Mayor