R 169
2020 -- H 7972
Enacted 03/05/2020

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N
RECOGNIZING MARCH 8, 2020, AS "INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Donovan, Mattiello, Ajello, Ackerman, and Carson
Date Introduced: March 05, 2020

     WHEREAS, International Women's Day has been observed since the early 1900s, at a
time when women's oppression and inequality were causing women to become more vocal,
active, and demanding of change; and
     WHEREAS, The first National Women's Day was observed in the United States on
February 28, 1909, where women protested and demanded shorter hours, better pay, and voting
rights; and
     WHEREAS, The first countries to honor International Women's Day in 1911 were
Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland, with more than one million women and men
attending International Women's Day rallies, demanding women's rights including the right to
work, vote, to hold public office, and an end to discrimination in general; and
     WHEREAS, In 1977, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 8th as
International Women's Day throughout the world, a day that is celebrated in the United States and
globally; and
     WHEREAS, International Women's Day has grown exponentially, nationally and
internationally, in developed and developing countries alike; and
     WHEREAS, The United Nations declared the 2020 theme for the International Women's
Day to be #EachForEqual, exalting the fact than an equal world is an enlightened world in which
gender inequality, pay inequality, sexual harassment and sexual violence will no longer be
tolerated in business, in boardrooms, in State Houses or the White House, and not even in
Hollywood; and
     WHEREAS, In a world where gender parity and equality remain elusive, the world will
continue to see sweeping and revolutionary movements like #TimesUp and the #MeToo
Movements; and
     WHEREAS, Although those statistics can be daunting and dim, there are nonetheless
numerous bright spots which we can now recognize and celebrate. Today, the Rhode Island
General Assembly recognizes International Women's Day 2020 by celebrating "Doctors of
Distinction," honoring seven Doctors of Distinction who, in particular, have changed the world
through their advocacy, care, passion and diligence. They are: Doctors Jody Underwood, Angela
Anderson, Maryellen Butke, Megan Ranney, Iris Tong, Lindsay Orchowski, and Carolina
Fonseca-Valencia; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations hereby recognizes these seven prestigious, smart, elite and distinguished
women who have blazed educational trails and broken glass ceilings to land at the top of their
institutions. This House furthermore encourages all citizens to celebrate and pay tribute to the
contributions of these women, and all women, nationally and in the State of Rhode Island; and be
it further
     RESOLVED, That this House hereby recognizes March 8, 2020, as "International
Women's Day" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further
     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the first woman Governor of the State of Rhode
Island, the Honorable Gina Raimondo.
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LC005187
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