The Pima County Board of Supervisors proclaimed August 26, 2012 as Women’s Equality Day earlier this month. See the entire proclamation below. Alison Hughes, Chair of the Pima County/Tucson Women’s Commission accepted the proclamation from District 3 Supervisor Sharon Bronson. Alison reminded women of the struggle to attain the 19th Amendment, allowing American women the right to vote in 1920. Being as 2012 is an Election Year, she encouraged women to register and to vote, and not take this right “for granted”.

In celebration of Women’s Equality Day the Women’s Commission is hosting an executive reception at their office, 240 N. Court Ave. from 5 to 7 p.m.on August 26. Invited special guests are Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, Supervisor Sharon Bronson, and Lisa Lovallo, VP of Cox Communications (guest speaker).

Cover artwork courtesy of Maria Jimenez, 2012 PCTWC Art Contest winner. Please RSVP by August 19 to 520-624-8318.

WHEREAS, on August 26, 2012, we honor the hard work and perseverance of those who helped to secure women’s suffrage in the United States, in Arizona, and in Pima County. We reflect also on the sacrifices made by those visionaries so that our daughters and granddaughters will build on the achievements of our past and move forward as one people, one Nation, and one State; and

WHEREAS, the first women’s rights convention, held on July 13, 1848, in Seneca Falls, New York, witnessed the early defenders of women’s rights, such as Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Mary Ann McClintock and Frederick Douglas, signing the Declaration of Sentiments, declaring all women and men created equal and, in one of the accompanying resolutions that called for universal women’s suffrage. After a 72-year struggle, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was ratified on August 26, 1920, giving women the right to vote; and

WHEREAS, in 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed the first Presidential Proclamation declaring August 26 as Women’s Equality Day, a precedent followed by every U.S. President who followed him; and
WHEREAS, as we look to the future, we honor the resilience, accomplishments and history of women in the United States and Arizona, and celebrate their extraordinary accomplishments.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Pima County Board of Supervisors hereby proclaims August 26, 2012, to be:
“WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY”
and call on all residents of Pima County to celebrate these accomplishments, and to renew our commitment to empower women and girls with full equality in all aspects of life.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 7th day of August, 2012.
_Ramon Valadez__________________________________
Chairman, Pima County Board of Supervisors
ATTEST:
_Robin Brigode__________________________________
Clerk of the Board

I would like to add also that many women now hold elected public office and are candidates in the upcoming elections. Consider your choices & vote wisely on or before the August 28 AZ Primary.

On December 21 Marian Bustillos, 16, a 10th grader at Salpointe High School, was awarded $150 first prize for her sculpture Women Engineers — in the 1st Annual Pima County/Tucson Women’s Art Competition open to girls in grades 6-12.

1st Place wnner Marian Bustillos, with her sculpture

Carolina Martinez O’Daly, a 12th grader at Salpointe High School, won 2nd prize of $125 for her sculpture representing women’s challenges with work, home and health, reflecting physical disabilities.

Maria Jimenez, a 12th grade pupil at San Miguel High School, won the 3rd prize of $100 with a painting of women who have made a difference.

The purpose of the contest was to create art that represents a woman or women making a difference, or who have made a difference on behalf of other women.

The 13 additional winners were lauded for their artistic achievements in photography, digital art, recognition of the importance of mentoring and teaching by women, best revision of myth, sculpture installation, painting, ceramics, composition, portraiture and representation of gender challenging roles.

The competition was judged by a panel of artists and competition financial supporters, including the EVIA Foundation, whose purpose is to “ignite and support youth voice, infusing the community with the unique perspectives of young people” and a private foundation supporting justice and equality initiatives.

Congratulations to the three high school winners for their inspiring & creative art pieces. And thanks to the Women’s Commission for sponsoring this annual art competition.

Info on the Pima County/Tucson Women’s Commission: www.pimatucsonwomen.org.

Contact: Maxine Goodman
maxinegoodman17@yahoo.com
Media Director
Pima County/Tucson Women’s Commission
(520) 622-0905