Greetings Neighbors!
What an amazing year we have before us. Never before in our nation’s history has there been a more honest representation of our diverse population on the presidential campaign level. Women, African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, members of different faiths, ages, colors and creeds, are running strong campaigns to serve in the highest office in our land. Our diverse candidates make a strong statement of how far we’ve come and offer hope for our future as we continue to our work toward economic, social, racial and gender equality.
This type of historic achievement could have never been possible without the strident work of those who came before us. The many men and women who struggled for civil rights, gender equity, religious freedom, and greater respect for diversity have shattered glass ceilings and given rise to opportunities never thought possible. These milestones in our nation’s history make celebrating African-American History Month and Women’s History Month all the more meaningful.
February and March are dedicated to recognizing the tremendous contributions that African-Americans and women have made to our nation and to honoring the heroes who have fought to realize the ideals our country was founded on. What better way to honor the memories of our great American civil rights heroes than to continue their work so that, in the in the immortal words of Martin Luther King Jr., “children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
We celebrate African-American History Month and Women’s History Month through school curriculum, church programs and community events. It allows us the opportunity to focus on learning and celebrating the lives and achievements of African-Americans and women, past and present. It also awakens our collective social conscience to the importance of giving our children a complete and accurate record of their country’s history.
During this time, I encourage you to participate in the many celebratory events that will occur in our City. I am honored to cosponsor several events including the Black History Month Kickoff Program and Reception with the San Francisco African-American Historical and Cultural Society on February 1st at City Hall. Further upcoming activities in February and March are still in formation; please feel free to contact my office for more details. Additionally, our San Francisco libraries will be holding various opportunities to celebrate, and have information on other local activities. Find out more by visiting your local branch, calling (415) 557-4400 or online at http://sfpl.lib.ca.us.
I am truly inspired to see diverse leadership on the national scene. During the months of February and March, it’s important to reflect on how far we’ve come and resolve to continue the work of visionary leaders who have helped pave our way. I hope you will join me in the celebrations.
To contact Assemblyman Mark Leno’s San Francisco District Office call 415-557-3013 or e-mail him directly at Assemblymember.Leno@asm.ca.gov
For those joining in gay marriages today, the road from outlaw status to respectability was paved in the Legislature over three decades.
From decriminalizing sex between same-sex couples, to outlawing job discrimination against homosexuals, to adding gay members to the legislative roster, the government has been taking steps, measure-by-measure, that have led to gay couples joining hands in marriage ceremonies across the state.
