Florida Senate - 2009 (NP) SR 224 By Senator Joyner 18-00159-09 2009224__ 1 Senate Resolution 2 A resolution recognizing the month of March 2009 as 3 “Women's History Month.” 4 5 WHEREAS, women have made historic contributions to the 6 growth and strength of this state in countless recorded and 7 unrecorded ways, and 8 WHEREAS, women have played and continue to play a critical 9 economic, cultural, and social role in every sphere of life by 10 constituting a significant portion of the labor force working 11 inside and outside the home, and 12 WHEREAS, women have played a unique role throughout the 13 history of the nation by providing the majority of our volunteer 14 labor force and were particularly important in the establishment 15 of early charitable, philanthropic, and cultural institutions, 16 and 17 WHEREAS, women of every race, class, and ethnic background 18 served as early leaders in the forefront of every major 19 progressive movement to improve society, and 20 WHEREAS, women have been leaders, not only in securing 21 their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity, but also in 22 the abolitionist movement, the industrial labor movement, the 23 civil rights movement, the environmental justice movement, and 24 other social justice campaigns, especially the peace movement, 25 creating a more fair and just society for all, and 26 WHEREAS, despite these contributions, the role of women has 27 been consistently overlooked and undervalued in literature and 28 in the teaching and study of history, and 29 WHEREAS, in recognition of the contributions of women, 30 Congress has passed a resolution each year since 1987 31 designating the month of March as “Women's History Month,” and 32 WHEREAS, the theme of Women's History Month in 2009 is 33 “Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet” and the month of 34 March presents special opportunities to celebrate the wisdom and 35 tenacity of generations of women who have come before us and 36 those who will follow, and to acknowledge the courage, 37 determination, and steadfastness needed to move history forward, 38 NOW, THEREFORE, 39 40 Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: 41 42 That March 2009 is recognized as “Women's History Month” 43 and the residents of this state are called upon to observe this 44 and every March by participating in programs, ceremonies, and 45 activities to foster an awareness of and appreciation for the 46 contributions made by women which have benefited and improved 47 society.