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Vice Mayor Cesar Zepeda
District 2
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Mayor Eduardo Martinez
City of Richmond
July 28, 2026
Recognizing Women's Equality Day
August 26, 2026
WHEREAS, Congress has designated August 26, the date the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was certified in 1920, as Women's Equality Day. This observance commemorates the extension of voting rights to women and celebrates the achievements of women throughout history while recognizing the ongoing pursuit of gender equality; and WHEREAS, although the Nineteenth Amendment marked a historic milestone, many women of color continued to face barriers to voting until the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Women from diverse racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds played essential roles in advancing the movement for equal rights and expanding democratic participation; and WHEREAS, the 1970 Women's Strike for Equality, held on the fiftieth anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment, brought national attention to the continued fight for equal opportunity in employment, education, childcare, and political representation, helping pave the way for the formal establishment of Women's Equality Day; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond recognizes the invaluable contributions of women who have strengthened our community through leadership in public service, education, healthcare, business, labor, arts, culture, environmental stewardship, and civic engagement, enriching the City's history and shaping its future; and
WHEREAS, Richmond also celebrates Women's Equality Day through community events and initiatives that uplift and empower women and girls, including the City's annual Sisters in Solidarity / Hermanas en Solidaridad celebration, which brings residents together to recognize women's achievements and promote equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Eduardo Martinez, and the Richmond City Council do hereby formally recognize August 26, 2026, as Women's Equality Day in the City of Richmond and encourage all residents to honor the achievements of women, reflect on the progress made toward gender equality, and continue working together to build a community where every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive.