Proclaiming August 26, 2026 as Women’s Equality Day in Somerville.

Proclamation WHEREAS: Women’s Equality Day is observed annually on August 26 to commemorate the certification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1920, prohibiting the denial of voting rights on the basis of sex; and WHEREAS: The passage of the 19th Amendment followed generations of organizing, advocacy, and sacrifice by women and their allies, including leaders whose contributions were too often overlooked because of racism and discrimination; and WHEREAS: The 19th Amendment represented an important milestone, but many women-particularly Black, Indigenous, Asian American, Latina, immigrant, and low-income women-continued to face laws and systemic barriers that prevented them from fully exercising their right to vote; and WHEREAS: Women’s Equality Day recognizes both the progress made toward equality and the work that remains to ensure women and girls of every race, ethnicity, faith, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, and economic background have equal rights and opportunities; and WHEREAS: In October 1895, the Ward and City Committee of Female Voters of Somerville executed a massive municipal voter-registration campaign; and WHEREAS: Women have continued to strengthen Somerville across generations as civic leaders, educators, artists, activists, caregivers, workers, entrepreneurs, public servants, and neighbors; and WHEREAS: The City of Somerville remains committed to confronting discrimination, expanding opportunity, protecting the right to vote, and ensuring women can participate fully and equally in every part of civic, economic, and community life; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT KNOWN TO ALL THOSE PRESENT that I, Jake Wilson, Mayor of the City of Somerville, do hereby proclaim August 26, 2026, as Women’s Equality Day in Somerville and encourage all residents to honor the women who have advanced equality, recognize those continuing that work today, and recommit ourselves to building a more just and equitable community. Proclaimed on this 27th day of August, 2026 by Jake Wilson Mayor