San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed today kicked off Women’s History Month with a celebration in City Hall. The 2020 San Francisco Women’s History Month theme is “Valiant Women of the Vote.” The San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women and the Department on the Status of Women co-hosted the event.

Mayor Breed spoke about the need to include everyone’s voice in the public process, and the importance of supporting programs and resources that assist women, families, children, and
San Francisco’s most marginalized residents. She presented certificates of honor to the women of the Women’s March and Nadia Rahman, in recognition of their efforts to register women to vote and make San Francisco a more equitable place.

“Today, we honor the women who are helping women find their voice and get involved in government,” said Mayor Breed. “These Valiant Women of the Vote are fighting for the voting rights of others—especially women, but also people of color, low-income people, and people from underserved communities. I want to thank the awardees for their contributions to our City, and I look forward to celebrating Women’s History Month and continuing to lift up the achievements of all women in our community.”

A certificate of honor was presented to Nadia Rahman, a Muslim American woman of color and child of immigrants who came to the United States to seek a better life for themselves and their children. She works as a digital communications expert, activist, and organizer. She uses her expertise as a marketer and storyteller to motivate and inspire others to show up and get involved in volunteer and civic engagement opportunities.

Mayor Breed also honored the co-founders of the Women’s March of San Francisco for their role in organizing the march and working year-round to help women register to vote, get involved in local government, and inspire women to run for office. Women’s March co-founders Anne Mercogliano and Women’s Commissioner Sophia Andary accepted the certificate on behalf of all the members of the Women’s March of San Francisco.

Breanna Zwart, President of the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women stated: “The strong leadership of Mayor London Breed, the first African American woman Mayor of San Francisco, demonstrates the importance of women’s full participation in our democracy. During this time when we see our democracy increasingly under attack, this month’s honorees have shown tremendous commitment and courage.”

“Newly uncovered historical sources put together by the Glen Park Neighborhoods History Project indicate that San Francisco was the site of the first ever suffrage march, in 1908,” said Dr. Emily Murase, Director of the San Francisco Department on the Status of Women. “We must not forget the suffragettes who, over 100 years ago, picketed the White House, went to jail, and endured intense personal suffering in order to secure the vote.”

“In the year we are marking the centennial of the 19^th Amendment, we are delighted to showcase the efforts of today’s suffragettes, Nadia Rahman, Anne Mercogliano, Commissioner Sophia Andary and the entire Women’s March of San Francisco,” said Linda Calhoun, President of the Friends of the Commission the Status of Women.

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