City of San Rafael
Proclamation in Recognition of
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
MARCH 1 – 31, 2026
WHEREAS, women of every race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, and background have contributed to the growth and strength of San Rafael in countless recorded and unrecorded ways, playing critical economic, cultural, and social roles throughout the community; and WHEREAS, each year, Women’s History Month offers a vital opportunity to celebrate and reflect on the remarkable contributions of American women and girls who have shaped our nation’s history, strengthened its foundations, and inspired future generations with their resilience and achievements; and
WHEREAS, the 2026 Women’s History Month theme is “Leading the Change:
Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” which expands the
understanding of sustainability beyond environmental concerns. It encompasses financial sustainability, community resilience, leadership succession, and intergenerational equity; and
WHEREAS, throughout history, women, including transgender women and LGBTQ women, have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and ingenuity, making groundbreaking contributions across all fields, including science, medicine, technology, business, politics, entrepreneurship, and the arts, often overcoming systemic barriers and societal challenges to achieve greatness; and
WHEREAS, women in the United States of America 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, the LGBTQ rights movement, and the peace movement, which promote a fairer and more just society for all; and
WHEREAS, the celebration of Women’s History Month may be traced back to International Women’s Day in 1911 and the advocacy Bay Area women including Laura X who founded the Women’s History Research Center in Berkeley, and Molly Murphy MacGregor, Mary Ruthsdotter, Maria Cuevas, Paula Hammett, and Bette Morgan who formed the National Women’s History Project (which would later become the National Women’s History Alliance) in 1980 in Sonoma County with the goal of “writing women back into history” and expanding the concept of Women’s History Week nationally; and
WHEREAS, in 1987, the National Women’s History Alliance successfully campaigned the United States Congress to pass legislation recognizing March as Women’s History Month; and
WHEREAS, women make up nearly 51% of the U.S. population, about a third of workers in the country’s 10 highest-paying occupations (35%) are women, and women-owned businesses contribute significantly to our economy—accounting for over 39% of U.S. businesses, employing over 12 million people, and generating over $3.3. trillion in revenue; and WHEREAS, there remains a collective responsibility to support women of all ages, ensuring equitable opportunities and access to resources and fostering environments conducive to their personal and professional growth and well-being.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Rafael hereby proclaim March 1 - 31, 2026, as Women’s History Month, recognizing the many accomplishments women have historically achieved and the many ongoing contributions they make to our society and our local community across Marin County and San Rafael.
Kate Colin
Mayor