Senate Resolution 25-007

SENATE RESOLUTION 25-007

BY SENATOR(S) Cutter and Winter F., Gonzales J., Amabile, Ball, Bridges, Danielson, Daugherty, Exum, Hinrichsen, Jodeh, Kipp, Kolker, Marchman, Michaelson Jenet, Mullica, Roberts, Rodriguez, Snyder, Sullivan, Weissman, Coleman.

CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF MARCH 2025 AS "WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH" IN COLORADO, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, ACKNOWLEDGING THE COUNTLESS CONTRIBUTIONS THAT WOMEN HAVE MADE IN HISTORY AND TO CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY.

WHEREAS, Women's History Month is an annual celebration in March to recognize and honor the profound and enduring contributions that women have made throughout history in every sphere of life; women have been leaders every step of the way, securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity; and

WHEREAS, Through their contributions to the abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement, the industrial labor movement, the civil rights movement, and especially the peace movement, women have worked to create a more fair and just society for all; and

WHEREAS, March 8 is International Women's Day, a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and a call to action for advancing gender equality worldwide; and

WHEREAS, Women have played a critical role in shaping history, from warriors to world leaders, artists to activists, educators to entrepreneurs, and scientists to social reformers, and their stories are often untold or underrepresented; and

WHEREAS, March 25 is Equal Pay Day, and is used to raise awareness about the ongoing gender pay gap and how the pay gap varies significantly among different communities, particularly for women of color; and

WHEREAS, Women and girls contribute to every sector of society and deserve to have their rights and opportunities protected and enhanced regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, or socioeconomic background; and

WHEREAS, Throughout history, women have fought tirelessly for equal rights, justice, and recognition, often overcoming systemic barriers, prejudice, and inequality to create lasting social change, and have exemplified extraordinary courage and resilience, breaking barriers and leaving legacies that continue to inspire generations of women around the world, and working tirelessly to ensure that the doors opened by those who came before us remain open for the next generation of women leaders, thinkers, and changemakers; and

WHEREAS, Women have made significant strides in economic empowerment, establishing businesses, securing wealth, and leading industries, while challenging societal norms and expanding economic opportunities for women of all races and backgrounds, and have demonstrated leadership, ingenuity, and persistence in achieving success; and

WHEREAS, Colorado was the first state to give women the right to vote through a popular election, and the first state to swear women into the General Assembly, and Colorado women have always been at the forefront of political and civic engagement, advocating for the rights of all people and shaping state policy. The first women elected to the Colorado General Assembly were Clara Cressingham, Frances S. Klock, and Carrie C. Holly; and

WHEREAS, Past women of distinction and honorable mention within the Colorado General Assembly include Arie Parks Taylor, the first African American woman elected to the Colorado General Assembly; Polly Baca, the first minority woman and first Latina elected to the Colorado State Senate, the first Latina in the nation to serve in both the House of Representatives and the Senate of her state legislature, and the first Latina to serve in leadership in any state legislature within the United States; and Norma Anderson, the first woman to serve as Majority Leader in both the Colorado House of Representatives and the Colorado State Senate; and

WHEREAS, Women legislators play a vital role in addressing difficult social and economic issues and helping our country and the state of Colorado prepare for the future, and Colorado currently has 52 women serving in the General Assembly, which is the largest number of women in the legislature in Colorado's history; and women make up almost 60% of the membership of the House of Representatives; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Seventy-fifth General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

(1)  That we, the Colorado Senate, hereby honor the achievements, contributions, and resilience of women throughout history, celebrating the strength, wisdom, and courage of all women who have shaped our world; and

(2)  That we encourage the continued celebration of Women's History Month as a means to reflect on the achievements of women past, present, and future, and to inspire ongoing efforts toward a future in which gender equality is fully realized, in which every woman has the opportunity to succeed, and in which the power of women's voices is valued and respected in every corner of Colorado; and

(3)  That we commit to advancing the goals of women's empowerment, education, and equality by continuing to support policies that eliminate barriers to opportunity, recognizing the indispensable role that women play in building thriving economies, vibrant communities, and peaceful societies; and

(4)  That we recognize that while we have made significant progress, there is much work left to be done to create a world where every woman, regardless of her background, race, or circumstance, has the opportunity to reach her fullest potential, and that we commit to a future in which the contributions of women are valued, celebrated, and reflected in every aspect of society-today, tomorrow, and always.

Be It Further Resolved, That we, the Colorado Senate, recognize the month of March 2025 as ''Women's History Month" in Colorado and invite the people of this state to explore the critical economic, cultural, and social roles that women have played and continue to play in every sphere of life in Colorado and in the United States.