Whereas, International Women's Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike; and,

Whereas, The growing international women's movement has helped make the commemoration a rallying point for coordinated efforts to demand women's rights and participation in the political and economic process; and,

Whereas, Over the years, United Nations' action for the advancement of women has taken four clear directions- promotion of legal measures, mobilization of public opinion and international action, training and research that includes the compilation of gender desegregated statistics, and direct assistance to disadvantaged groups; and,

Whereas, Today, a central organizing principle of the work of the United Nations is that no enduring solution to society's most threatening social, economic and political problems can be found without the full participation and the full empowerment of the world's women;

Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby proclaim March 8, 2009, International Women's Day in Michigan.  I encourage all citizens, both men and women, to observe this day and reflect on the progress made to advance women's equality, to celebrate the gains made by women, and to understand the challenges women continue to face today.