The month of March has been designated by Presidential proclamation as Women’s History Month to honor the contributions and accomplishments of women in American history, and the City of Riverbank has followed suit.

At its meeting on Tuesday, March 12, the city council issued a proclamation recognizing the role women have played in the city’s progress through the years, with Mayor Richard O’Brien signing an official proclamation to that effect.

At the meeting, O’Brien recognized members of the Riverbank Federated Women’s Club, bringing a group of them forward as he read the proclamation.

Women’s Club members receiving the certificate included past president Marilyn McRitchie, former city council member Leanne Jones-Cruz, current vice mayor Darlene Barber-Martinez, and Janet Vacarro.

The city’s presentation cited the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County Commission of the Status of Women which originated the recognition in Santa Rosa, California as a week-long celebration during the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day, city officials wrote.

The movement gained notoriety by other communities across the country and after successful lobbying by women’s groups and historians for national recognition, in February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation and declared the week of March 8, 1980 as National Women’s History Week.

In 1987, Congress designated the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”

Subsequent resolutions were passed from 1988 to 1994 and since 1995, presidents have endorsed the yearly proclamation of Women’s History Month.