Senate Concurrent Resolution 635

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION DESIGNATING MARCH 2011 AS "WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH IN MISSISSIPPI" WITH ITS THEME "OUR HISTORY IS OUR STRENGTH."

WHEREAS, March 2011 is National Women's History Month; and

WHEREAS, in National Women's History Month, we honor all women who have touched this nation's history and our own personal history, women who contribute to the people and ideals of this great country; 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, 2011 will be the 31st Anniversary of the National Women's History Project. President Carter issued a Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as the first National Women's History Week, and then, in 1987, Congress expanded the week into a month, and March is now National Women's History Month. For 2011, the theme is "Our HISTORY is Our Strength." This year, instead of recognizing national honorees, local communities, organizations and institutions throughout the country are asked to honor women within their own communities or organizations. Our HISTORY is Our Strength pays tribute to the millions of women who helped create a better world for the times in which they lived as well as for future generations. Knowing the challenges these women faced, grappled with and overcame can be an enormous source of strength to all of us. During today's difficult times, Our HISTORY is Our Strength can serve as an important reminder to our nation that adversity can be overcome; and

WHEREAS, the stories of women's achievements are integral to the fabric of our history. Learning about women's tenacity, courage and creativity throughout the centuries is a tremendous source of strength. Until relatively recently, this sphere of women's history was overlooked and undervalued. Women's achievements were often distorted, disdained and denied. But, knowing women's stories provides essential role models for everyone. Role models are genuinely needed to face the extraordinary changes and unrelenting challenges of the 21st Century. The knowledge of women's history provides a more expansive vision of what a woman can do. This perspective can encourage girls and women to think larger and bolder; 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, 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:

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 2011 as "Women's History Month in Mississippi" with its theme "Our HISTORY is Our Strength."

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be forwarded to the Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women to observe appropriate programs, ceremonies, activities and a copy be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.