HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTIONS - 01012001 - 2001-451 ot
In the Matter of the National Women's History Project's )
Call for California to Celebrate Recognizing the )
90th Anniversary of Women in California Winning the Right to Vote ) RESOLUTION NO.2001/451
WHEREAS,the women of California won the right to vote after a decade-long effort culrr inating on October 10,1911,
when a majority of California men voted for political equality and passed the woman suf rage amendment to the state
Constitution;and,
WHEREAS, the struggle for political liberty was waged without violence or animosity, speaking to the best in
California men from all walks of life and finding,,support in all corners of the state;and,
WHEREAS,California was only the sixth state in the nation to approve'political equality,passing woman suffrage nine
years before the Nineteenth Ainendinent to the`U.S.Constitution was ratified;and
WHEREAS,with little eentral organization,supporters throughout the state worked,in federation with each other,
dividing up the sta and'the re¢p�nsibilities of.the intensive eight-month campaign to st utilize the abilities of all,
winning the supaort of editors,teachers;ministers,the governor and Legislature,andfix Lally a majority of the state's
male voters;,,and,
WHEREAS, the innovative'California campaign broke new creative ground inpro tiny'Votes for Women by
incorporating the,latest in advertising and publicity techniques;,including electric signs, automobile tours, giant
billboards,open air speeches;leaflets in five languages,colorful city-wide dispha�s and ounthess other new means of
outreach;and,
WHl?REAS,the'enfranchisement of California women was ensured by farmers busine and working men in small
"..
towns,distant counties and rural areas who responded to the call to"Give y6 girl ane 41 ehan e with your boy",
and avercame the opposition in the largest cities;and
WHEREAS;the amen went,initially thought to be defeated,triumphed,after delayed r ftirnsfrom rural areas swung
the election in tlie.women's favor,passing by less than 1%of the vote,125,037 to 121,450,an average margin of one in
every voting precinct in"site;and;
WIiuj~ AS,the victory in California doubled the number of women in the United States who could vote,offered new
hope to supporters throughout the nation and,for a time,made San Francisco the larg st city inthecountry where
women could vote;and,
WHEREAS,the intensive statewide campaign in small towns and rural-areas eallin for "Justice for California
Women"proved to be an inspiration to,supporters around the world and helped'encou ge woman suffrage in other
states;and,'
y p responsibly it of the,state,and formed
WHEREAS,women waters immediately used their new ower res onsibl and to the c ed
civic leagues and•associations for the betterment of California which.still have mfluenc 2 today;and,
WHEREAS,this suceessful,historic effort by courageous and resolute citizens of all race and origins dedicated to the
ideal of true democracy has nearly been forgotten and has for too long been denied itsr Ightful place in the history of
our state and nation;and,
THEREFORE, October 10th shall henceforth be recognized as a special day to honor nd recognize the history of
women in California with special observances and celebrations in government offices,workplaces,communities,and
schools throughout the state.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County proclaims October 10,
2001,as a day to recognize and celebrate the 90th Anniversary of Women in California Winning the Right to Vote.
PASSED by a unanimous vote of the Board of Supervismembers present thi i 2nd day of October, 2001.
L e ' '�-�'
GAYLE B. L MA
Chair f
I J
District II Supervisor
J041 IOIA DONN e4ERBER
District I Supervisor Distri I I up sor
MARK DeSAULNIER FE ERA D.GLOVER
District IV Supervisor DistrictV Supervisor