DocID #51944v1
Recognizing Women’s Equality Day on
August 26, 2025
WHEREAS, Congress has designated August 26, the date the Nineteenth Amendment was certified, as Women’s Equality Day . This day remembers the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution in 1920, as this amendment, also gave women the right to vote, and celebrates the achievements of women in history and the ongoing struggle for gender equality; and
WHEREAS, while the Nineteenth Amendment granted voting rights to women, many women of color faced continued discrimination and were unable to exercise their right to vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Women in every state, in various cultures and religious groups worked to secure women’s right to vote; and
WHEREAS, the 1970 "Strike for Equality" held on August 26 th, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment , garnered widespread national attention and served as a pivotal moment in the women's movement, paving the way for the eventual formal recognition of Women's Equality Day; and
WHEREAS, on July 25, 1972, President Richard Nixon issued a proclamation designating August 26 as Women's Rights Day, marking the first official recognition of the occasion.
The following year, in 1973, Congress passed a resolution formally establishing August 26 as Women's Equality Day; and
WHEREAS, recognizing Women’s Equality Day as a National Day of Celebration highlights the vital contributions women have made to democracy, a landmark event in the women’s rights movement, during which women across the country demanded equal opportunities in employment, education, and childcare; and
WHEREAS, in Richmond, California, Women’s Equality Day is most notably observed through the annual “Sisters in Solidarity / Hermanas en Solidaridad” event —a community gathering organized by the City of Richmond to honor and celebrate International Women’s Day. This event typically takes place in March to coincide with International Women’s Day.
DocID #51944v1
WHEREAS, The International Women's Day theme for 2025 is "For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment," emphasizing the urgency to achieve gender parity globally. This theme is also expressed as "#AccelerateAction" and focuses on taking swift and decisive steps to overcome gender inequality. The theme aims to push for equal rights, power, and opportunities for all women and girls, advocating for a feminist future where no one is left behind.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, I, Mayor Eduardo Martinez, do hereby recognize August 26, 2025, as Women’s Equality Day and extend heartfelt gratitude to Sisters in Solidarity and the City of Richmond for their continued dedication to advancing gender equality and fostering an inclusive community.
___________________________ ______________________________ Mayor Eduardo Martinez Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda
City of Richmond District 2 August 26, 2025