HomeMy WebLinkAbout02 - Proclamation - Women's History Month - 3/2/2021
As we celebrate Women’s History Month 2021, let us remember the women across America and here locally whose suffrage,
determination and sacrifice secured opportunities, reforms and acceptance for women at work, to the highest offices in public
service, in our military, in faith based leadership, as scientists and medical professionals, at home and more. Silence is not an
option, so women, while diverse in backgrounds and experiences, will continue to join together using our unique voices to bring
about change, justice and equal opportunities for all.
Whereas, Despite the interruption by the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrations of women’s historic achievements and
sacrifices in winning the 19th Amendment will not be silenced. Suffragists also faced a deadly virus - and a war- while trying to
secure for women the right to vote. Let their strength, perseverance, and determination be our inspiration; and
Whereas, the roots of National Women’s History Month traces its origins back to March 8, 1857, when women from
various New York City factories staged a protest over working conditions; and
Whereas, in February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of
March 8th 1980 as National Women’s History Week; and
Whereas, in 1987 the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to pass Public Law 100-9, designating
the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month,” and between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions
and authorizing the President to proclaim March of every year as Women’s History Month; and
Whereas, the National Women’s History Alliance is extending the annual theme for 2021 to “Valiant Women of the
Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced;” and
Whereas, the City of Costa Mesa is committed to recognizing the achievements of our City’s women trailblazers, such
as former Mayor Norma Hertzog- Wagner, who was the first Councilwoman and Mayor for the City of Costa Mesa in 1977;
Libby Cowan as the first LGBTQ+ woman selected as Mayor from 2000-2001; Karen Robinson as the first African-American
woman selected as Mayor in 2003; Mayor Katrina Foley the City’s first and only pregnant Planning Commissioner and directly
elected woman Mayor; Arlis Reynolds and Andrea Marr as the first elected Latina Councilwomen with special recognition to
Mayor Pro Tempore Marr as the first woman Veteran on City Council; Kim Barlow as the first woman appointed as City
Attorney; Lori Ann Farrell Harrison first woman appointed to the City Manager position since 1953; Costa Mesa Police
Department Officer Joyce LaPointe as the first woman to reach the rank of Captain; Costa Mesa Fire Department Engineer
Cinnamon Basco as the first woman hired as a firefighter. We will continue to support the advancement of future generations
of women leaders in our community; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Katrina Foley of the City of Costa Mesa, do hereby proclaim the
month of March 2021 to be Women’s History Month in the City of Costa Mesa, and call upon all Costa Mesa residents to
observe this month and pay tribute to the women who enrich our society through civic action and dedication to community,
innovation, peace, and prosperity.
PRESENTED this 2nd day of March, 2021
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Katrina Foley, Mayor of the City of Costa Mesa