Proclamation for Women's Right to Vote and Equality Day, August 26, 2024
WHEREAS, on August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Consitution gave most women the right to vote; and
WHEREAS, in 1893 Colorado had already secured the right to vote for women; and
WHEREAS, on this 104th anniversary of the 19th Amendment and the 131st anniversary of the right of women to vote in Colorado, we celebrate the progress that has been made towards guaranteeing the right to participate in our democracy regardless of gender; and
WHEREAS, in 2022 nationally 84.4% of women were registered to vote compared to 77% of men, and 82.2 million women voted during the 2020 presidential election compared to 72.5 million men; and
WHEREAS, Colorado is ranked 3rd in the nation for percentage of legislators that are women, averaging 43.4% since 2014; and
WHEREAS, only 26 statewide officers elected in Colorado have been women, and 12 of the 26 served only as Superintendent of Public Instruction until 1950; and
WHEREAS, only 33% of current County Commissioners are women out of 220 who hold office; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the work that still needs to be done to overcome the gender in quality that affects women's representation in elected office and leadership across both public and private sectors; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics reports that Colorado women earned 87 cents for every dollar a man earned in 2022; and
WHEREAS, Larimer County women continue to face disproportionate challenges to economic prospects, affordable and accessible health care, and safety; and
WHEREAS, Larimer County women still struggle to achieve economic security for themselves and their families due to lack of affordable and accessible childcare and unequal pay; and
WHEREAS, today we recognize the accomplishments that so many women fought so hard to achieve, and rededicate ourselves to tackling the challenges that remain and expanding opportunity and representation for women and girls in Larimer County and Colorado; and
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Board of County Commissioners for Larimer County, do hereby proclaim the 26th of August as "Women's Equality Day" encouraging equity, access, and opportunity of women's work for democracy.
Dated this 13th day of August, 2024
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF LARIMER COUNTY, STATE OF COLORADO
John Kefalas, Chair