MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Dawkins, Blackmon, Jackson (11th), Simmons (12th), Witherspoon, Turner-Ford, Frazier, Norwood, Horhn, Jolly, Browning
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING MARCH 2019 AS "WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH IN MISSISSIPPI" WITH ITS THEME "VISIONARY WOMEN: CHAMPIONS OF PEACE AND NONVIOLENCE," CELEBRATING THE 39TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WOMEN'S HISTORY MOVEMENT.
WHEREAS, during Women's History Month, we celebrate the countless women whose courage and resolve have contributed to the character and success of our nation and the entire world. The equal opportunity of women in every facet of daily life is an essential feature of a free and prosperous society. This month, we honor women who have fought for equality and against the status quo, and who have broken the bonds of discrimination, partiality and injustice for the benefit of all. These women created a legacy that continues to inspire generations of women to live with confidence, to have a positive impact on their communities, and to improve our nation every day; and
WHEREAS, the 2019 theme for Women's History Month is "Visionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence." As the National Women's History Alliance website explained, "This year we honor women who have led efforts to end war, violence and injustice and pioneered the use of nonviolence to change society"; and
WHEREAS, in keeping with their tradition, the National Women's History Alliance has selected 15 living and deceased honorees this year, who will be acknowledged at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 30, 2019. The women include Graciela Sanchez, co-founder of the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center; Deborah Tucker, President of the Board of Directors of the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence; Dr. E. Faye Williams, Human Rights Activist and President/CEO of the National Congress of Black Women; Sarah Brady, the late Gun Control Activist and Champion of the Brady Bill; and Peace Pilgrim, who logged thousands of miles in her cross-country marches for peace before her death in 1981; Catherine Brewer, who in 1840 became the first woman to earn a bachelor's degree, and Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, who graduated from medical school to become America's first recognized female physician, are in the pantheon of great American women. All pursued their passion to learn and to achieve advanced degrees in an unprecedented way. Their achievement marked the beginning of our society's move toward equality among men and women in education. They would be proud to know that, today, female students constitute the majority of undergraduates in our colleges and universities; and
WHEREAS, American women have played and continue to play a critical economic, cultural and social role in every sphere of the life of the nation by constituting a significant portion of the labor force working inside and outside of the home. American women have played a unique role throughout the history of the nation by providing the majority of the volunteer labor force of the nation. American women were particularly important in the establishment of early charitable, philanthropic and cultural institutions in our nation; and
WHEREAS, American women of every race, class and ethnic background have made historic contributions to the growth and strength of our nation in countless recorded and unrecorded ways. Women's history becomes a story of inspiration and hope, a story of courage and tenacity, and a story of possibility and purpose. Women's history is our nation's story. It is the story of how women built communities and inspired and nurtured dreams and how they will continue to do so; and
WHEREAS, to emphasize the role of women in our state, the Legislature in 2001 established the Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women to advise and consult with the Legislature and the executive branch on policies affecting the political status and other concerns of women in Mississippi; and it is with great pride that we recognize women who serve as role models in pioneering Mississippi's future; and
WHEREAS, this month, we express our gratitude for all American women who continue to strengthen our families, communities and workforce. Our future is brighter because of their contributions:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby designate March 2019 as "Women's History Month in Mississippi" with its theme "Visionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence," celebrating the 39th Anniversary of the Women's History Movement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women to observe appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.