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A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND HONORING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
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Whereas, American women have played and continue to play critical economic, cultural, and social role in every sphere of the life of the Nation by constituting a significant portion of the labor force working inside and outside of the home; and
Whereas, American women have played a unique role throughout the history of the Nation by providing the majority of the volunteer labor force of the Nation; and
Whereas, American women were particularly important in the establishment of early charitable, philanthropic, and cultural institutions in our Nation; and
Whereas, American women have been leaders, not only in securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity, but also in the abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement, the industrial labor movement, the civil rights movement, anti-war and peace movements, and others, which create a more fair and just society for all; and
Whereas, American women have made and continue to make pivotal contributions in medicine and science including in the development of the COVID19 vaccine, and according to various sources, hold over 70% of all health care jobs in America; and
Whereas, due to these monumental contributions, the role of American women in history should be consistently present in the literature, teaching and study of American history; and
Whereas, the 2022 theme of Women’s History Month as established by the National Women’s History Alliance is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” This theme is “both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history”; and
Whereas, women in Gahanna have served the community in important capacities throughout the City’s history in education, healthcare, philanthropy, historic and environmental preservation, professional, service, and civic roles; and
Whereas, due to the efforts of the “Herb Ladies,” Jane Geroux, Lucy Seeds, Ruth Rauchenstein, Trudy Miller and Ruth Wilke, our community was put on the map through their efforts and love of herbs, teaching all over the State of Ohio on these incredible plants and their uses; and
Whereas, fifty years ago, Jane “Bunny” Geroux led a successful campaign to establish Gahanna as the Herb Capital of Ohio with an official declaration on December 18, 1972 by the State Legislature, in addition to her work to preserve the history of Gahanna; and
Whereas, Lucy Seeds, dedicated to the preservation of natural resources and the establishment and protection of parkland, was the first female Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Gahanna and was instrumental in the City’s acquisition of the land that is now Gahanna Woods; and
Whereas, women serve the City as dedicated public servants in every municipal department - Public Service & Engineering, Parks & Recreation, Economic Development & Planning, Administrative Services & Finance, Public Safety & Law, and the offices of the Mayor and Council, all of whom contribute to the vibrancy, safety, and welfare of residents and visitors to the City of Gahanna; and
Whereas, women serve Gahanna and our surrounding areas as first responders in the roles of dispatchers, medics, and law enforcement officers to ensure the health and safety of members of our community, with 22 women serving as dispatchers, support staff and police officers within the Department of Public Safety and Gahanna Division of Police, making up over 27% of the Department; and
Whereas, women of Gahanna, the state of Ohio, and our nation are deserving of recognition for their historical and present contributions to the overall welfare of the community, and for their remarkable efforts over the pandemic in caregiving and frontline work.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That this Council does hereby recognize March 2022 as Women’s History Month for City of Gahanna.
Section 2. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect at the earliest period allowed by law.