Title: International Women's Day

Summary: Recognizes March 8, 2020, as International Women's Day and encourages Floridians to celebrate this day by honoring the achievements and accomplishments of women.

Full Text:
WHEREAS, on February 28, 1909, the first Nat ional Women's Day was observed in the United States, and WHEREAS, on June 26, 1945, the Charter of the United Nations was signed, marking the first affirmation of equality between women and men by international agreement, and WHEREAS, the United Nations celebrated International Women's Day for the first time on March 8, 1975, and two years later, declared a day for international peace and women's rights by resolution in the United Nations General Assembly, and WHEREAS, every year, approximately millio ngirls worldwide are married before they reach the age of 18, and WHEREAS, according to the International Labor Organization, percent of the estimated 40.3 million victims of modern slavery in 2016 were women and girls, and WHEREAS, according to UNIC EF, an estimated one out of three women around the world has experienced some form of physical or sexual violence, and WHEREAS, currently, percent of the members of the Florida Legislature are women, including representatives and senators, and WHEREAS, women also occupy statewide leadership positions including Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and WHEREAS, in continuing the tradition of honoring Florida women, Doris Mae Barnes, Dr. Judi th Ann Bense, and Mildred Wilborn Gildersleeve were added to the Florida Women's Hall of Fame for making significant contributions in the life of women and residents of Florida, and WHEREAS, the Florida Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission, led by women,will ensure the statewide observance of the centennial of the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, and WHEREAS, the 2019 Presidential Memorandum on Promoting Women's Global Development and Prosperity states that the United States supports "efforts to advance women's equality, protect the rights of women and girls, and promote women and youth empowerment programs," and WHEREAS, the theme of International Women's Day 2020 is "I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women's Rights," NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Florida: That March 8, 2020, is recognized as "International Women's Day" in Florida and residents of the state are encouraged to celebrate the day by honoring the achievements and accomplishments of women.