RESOLUTION FOR BOARD MEETING OF MARCH 5, 2026
Title
RESOLUTION sponsored by the Board of Commissioners recognizing the month of March as Women's History Month
Body
WHEREAS, March is celebrated as Women’s History Month worldwide in acknowledgement of the vast contributions that women have made throughout history; and
WHEREAS, the commemoration of Women’s History Month in the United States began in 1978 in Santa Rosa, California. The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women organized a Women’s History Week event. The week of March 8th was chosen as a way of incorporating International Women’s Day into the celebration; and
WHEREAS, the weeklong celebration in Santa Rosa gained popularity, and in February of 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8th as National Women’s History Week. In 1981, the first Congressional Proclamation was issued; and
WHEREAS, Women’s History Month was officially recognized in 1987 when Congress passed Public Law 100-9. Since that time, Presidential Proclamations have become an annual tradition; and
WHEREAS, each year the National Women’s History Alliance selects a theme for Women’s History Month. The theme for 2026 is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future”; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (District) proudly salutes the hundreds of women that work tirelessly at the District to protect our water environment. These women bring a wealth of talent and skills to the agency and are instrumental to our success; and
WHEREAS, the District will celebrate Women’s History Month on March 12 with an event celebrating the leadership and innovation of women driving sustainability and environmental progress; and
WHEREAS, speakers include Sunny Nelson, Vice President Conservation & Science at the Lincoln Park Zoo; Barbara Hickey, Director of Operations at Willis Tower; and Angela Tovar, Commissioner and Chief Sustainability Officer at the City of Chicago’s Department of Environment; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we, the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, on behalf of ourselves and our staff, do hereby recognize the month of March as Women’s History Month; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this Resolution be spread upon the permanent Record of Proceedings of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
Dated: March 5, 2026