6.2. SR 08-17-2020
Request for Action
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 6.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Presentations, Awards, August 17, 2020 Jessica Miller, Deputy Clerk
and Recognition
Item Description Reviewed by
Proclamation: Women’s Equality Day Cal Portner, City Administrator
Reviewed by
Action Requested
Mayor to read the proclamation recognizing August 26, 2020, as Women’s Equality Day.
Background/Discussion
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The year 2020 marks the 100 anniversary of the passage of the 19Amendment guaranteeing and
protecting women’s constitutional right to vote. The Women’s Vote Centennial Initiative, a collaboration of
women-centered institutions, organizations, and scholars from across the United States, works to ensure that
this anniversary, and the 72-year fight to achieve it, are commemorated and celebrated throughout the
United States.
We have attempted to contact the local Girl Scouts to have representation to receive the proclamation. We
had not made contact at the time the packet was published. If we are unable to get a representative to
participate, staff will find another opportunity to present the proclamation to them.
Financial Impact
N/A
Mission/Policy/Goal
N/A
Attachments
Proclamation
The Elk River Vision
A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity
Proclamation
Designating August 26, 2020, as Women’s Equality Day
WHEREAS, on January 10th, 1918, a Constitutional Amendment allowing women's suffrage was passed by
the United States House; and
WHEREAS, on June 4th, 1919, the United States Senate passed the Nineteenth Amendment and sent it out
to the states for ratification; and
WHEREAS, on September 8, 1919, Minnesota ratified the 19th Amendment to the United States
Constitution; and
WHEREAS, on August 26, 1919, the Nineteenth Amendment was certified as part of our Constitution,
assuring that "the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United
States or by any State on account of sex"; and
WHEREAS, the 19th Amendment did not guarantee suffrage for all women, including Native Americans
who did not gain the right to vote in every state until 1962. For Asian Pacific Islander Americans it was 1952.
And many African-American and Latin Americans did not gain their voting rights until passage of the Voting
Rights Act of 1965 and 1975; and
WHEREAS, Women of every race, class, and ethnic background have made historic contributions to the
growth and strength of our Nation and our community in countless recorded and unrecorded ways; and
WHEREAS, Women have been leaders, not only in securing their own rights of suffrage and equal
opportunity, but also in the abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement, the industrial labor
movement, the civil rights movement, and today, in other important movements; and
WHEREAS, communities across the state are celebrating the passage and ratification of the 19th
Amendment, providing for women's suffrage, to the Constitution of the United States; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, John J. Dietz, Mayor of Elk River, do hereby
proclaim Women’s Equality Day and do hereby call upon the people of Elk River to safely observe August
26th, as “Women's Equality Day” with appropriate ceremonies and activities to honor the those who fought
for promoting the values of our Republic and women suffrage. We further urge all our residents to use this
occasion to reflect on the importance of achieving equal rights and opportunities for women and to dedicate
themselves anew to that great goal. For the cause of equal rights and opportunities for women is inseparable
from the cause of human dignity and equal justice for all.
John J. Dietz, Mayor
ATTEST:
Tina Allard, City Clerk