WHEREAS, American women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made historic contributions to the growth and strength of our Nation 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 of the home; and WHEREAS, American women have played a unique role throughout the history of the Nation by providing the majority of the volunteer labor force of the Nation; and WHEREAS, American women were essential in the establishment of early charitable, philanthropic, and cultural institutions in our Nation; and WHEREAS, American women of every race, class, and ethnic background served as early leaders at the forefront of every significant progressive social change movement; and WHEREAS, American women have served our country courageously in the military; WHEREAS, American women have been leaders not only in securing their rights of voting 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, which create 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 history:
WHEREAS, the theme for 2023 is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” the Women’s History Month theme is designated by the National Women's History Alliance; and WHEREAS, this year’s timely theme honors women in every community who have devoted their lives and talents to producing art, pursuing truth, and reflecting the human condition decade after decade; and WHEREAS, women have long been instrumental in passing on our heritage in word and print to communicate the lessons of those who came before us. Women’s stories, and the larger human story, expand our understanding and strengthen our connections with each other.
WHEREAS, the Costa Mesa Women’s Club was founded in 1910 as a sewing circle, known as “The Friday Afternoon Club,” in the home of Alice Plummer, and WHEREAS, a philanthropic and social organization, the Costa Mesa Women’s Club sponsors several educational for young adults, and WHEREAS, the Costa Mesa Women’s Club was established to offer its members all areas of general culture, and to promote community interests, and support social and educational organizations.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, John B. Stephens, Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa, do hereby proclaim the month of March 2023 as Women's History Month and call upon all Costa Mesa residents to observe this month and pay tribute to the women who continue to tell our stories, and recognize their dedication and shared desire to give voice to the voiceless.
DATED this seventh day of March 2023.
______________________________________________
John B. Stephens, Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa