Aug-18-08 DCA Hosts Women's Equality Day Event & Mayors Day of Recognition
|
DCA HOSTS WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY EVENT & MAYORS DAY OF RECOGNITION |
PRINCETON, N.J. – In commemoration of the 88th anniversary of Women’s Equality Day on August 26th, the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) today honored New Jersey’s women mayors at Drumthwacket. The ceremony, sponsored by DCA’s Division on Women and the New Jersey Advisory Commission on the Status of Women, celebrated the anniversary of women winning the right to vote in the United States with a special presentation of proclamations by Governor Jon S. Corzine establishing August 18, 2008 as, “Mayors Day of Recognition.”
“New Jersey and its citizens are enriched by the strength, courage and leadership of women mayors across our state,” said Governor Corzine. “On this milestone anniversary of granting American women the right to vote, I am honored to recognize the economic, cultural and community contributions of our women mayors.”
Following over seventy years of civil rights protests, the United States Congress finally ratified the 19th Amendment in 1920 and granted women the right to vote. In 1971, the Joint Resolution of Congress established August 26th as Women’s Equality Day in recognition of women winning the right to vote in the United States.
“Women’s Equality Day is an occasion to acknowledge the accomplishments of the outstanding women leaders that oversee New Jersey’s townships,” said DCA Commissioner Joseph Doria. “The work of New Jersey’s women mayors improves the lives of all New Jerseyans.”
August 26, 2008 also marks the 34th anniversary of the New Jersey Division on Women. In 1974, the New Jersey Division on Women (DOW) was established as a pioneering state agency for women’s advocacy throughout the State.
“Susan B. Anthony asked for justice, equality, and civil and political rights for all United States’ citizens,” said DOW Director Janice L. Kovach. “Women’s Equality Day symbolizes the continued fight for equality, justice, peace and development for women from various nationalities, ethnicities, cultures, religions, economic and political backgrounds.”
For more information on the DOW, call 609-292-8840, or log on to http://www.state.nj.us/dca/dow/.
