BILL NUMBER: SCR 84	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  164
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  SEPTEMBER 8, 2015
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  AUGUST 24, 2015
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  SEPTEMBER 2, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Jackson
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Cristina Garcia)

                        AUGUST 17, 2015

   Relative to Women's Equality Day.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 84, Jackson. Women's Equality Day.
   This measure would recognize August 26, 2015, as Women's Equality
Day and its historic importance to women's rights, including the
battle to attain those rights in the past, present, and future.




   WHEREAS, The first women's rights convention on July 19, 1848, was
called by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott to win equal
rights for and expand the role of women in society, and it was then
that the fight for women's rights came together as an organized
effort; and
   WHEREAS, In 1851, abolitionist and women's rights activist
Sojourner Truth delivered her renowned extemporaneous speech "Ain't I
a Woman?" at the Ohio Women's Rights Convention in Akron; and
   WHEREAS, The addition of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United
States Constitution on August 26, 1920, secured for women the right
to vote; and
   WHEREAS, The passage of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964
barred employment discrimination against women; and
   WHEREAS, The enactment of Title IX of the federal Education
Amendments of 1972 guaranteed equal opportunity for women in all
aspects of education; and
   WHEREAS, Many women have planned, organized, lectured, written,
marched, lobbied, canvassed voters, staged parades, become candidates
for political office, argued court cases, and more, in order to
irrevocably change for the better the world of today's women and
girls; and
   WHEREAS, Despite the many efforts of policymakers and advocates,
both women and men, toward ensuring equality for women, gender
inequality persists in many areas, as evidenced by the ongoing
struggle for fair pay and equal job opportunities, job training
opportunities, access to child care, family friendly workplaces, and
against poverty, especially among women and children; and
   WHEREAS, Despite important steps to achieve equal access in the
workplace and to educational opportunities, women face barriers in
education and employment that are not experienced at the same
magnitude by men, including, the presence of historical male
privilege and gender bias; sex discrimination, harassment, and sexual
violence in the workplace and on campus; the complications of having
caregiving duties in the unpaid economy; and being undervalued for
their work in the paid economy; and
   WHEREAS, Women are critical to a strong and vibrant California
economy and play a pivotal role in spurring economic growth in
California; and
   WHEREAS, Women comprise almost one-half of the workforce in our
state and are primary income earners in many households; and
   WHEREAS, The lack of affordable, quality child care and affordable
housing makes it hard for women to provide safe and secure
environments for their families; and
   WHEREAS, Women's earnings are still far too low compared to men's
in California, and women are disproportionately employed in jobs that
pay the minimum wage; and
   WHEREAS, Women are also disproportionately disadvantaged by the
stresses of poverty and the constraints of the social services
system; and
   WHEREAS, Ensuring the economic security of all California women
and their families will benefit all communities, including men,
children, and families who count on public policies to meet their
basic needs, earn a decent living, and care for their families; and
   WHEREAS, The women of the United States have designated August 26
as a symbol of the continued fight for equal rights; and
   WHEREAS, The United States Congress recognizes that August 26 of
each year is designated as Women's Equality Day and the President of
the United States annually issues a proclamation commemorating August
26, 1920, as the day when the women of the United States were first
given the right to vote and recognizes that same date in 1970 when a
nationwide demonstration for women's rights took place; now,
therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That upon the anniversary of the Nineteenth
Amendment to the United States Constitution, the Legislature
recognizes August 26, 2015, as Women's Equality Day and its historic
importance to women's rights, including the battle to attain those
rights in the past, present, and future; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.