Montgomery County Councilmembers kicked off Women’s History Month with a breakfast, proclamation, cheering and mutual admiration Tuesday morning.
The woman-majority County Council unanimously voted to support the United Nations’ Principles of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). While this treaty was adopted in 1979 by the General Assembly of the United Nations, this is the first time Montgomery County Council has voted to support it.
The United States signed onto the treaty but did not ratify it.
Stories of Sisterhood
Looking over the council and multitudes of women leaders that gathered in Rockville Tuesday, Council Vice President Marilyn Balcombe announced, “There are so many powerful leaders in this room, most of whom just happen to be women.”
Councilmember Kristin Mink added, “There are so many different types of expertise in this room.”
So much has changed since Councilmember Dawn Luedtke finished law school and entered the workforce. She pointed to the outfit she was wearing, and said, “The red shirt definitely would not have passed muster.” She also noted that she never would have worn pants, as she was on Tuesday,
Balcombe noted, “When I started work, it was a much different world. It was a much different professional experience.” She recalled purchasing her first car and having to wait for her father to show up before they would sell it to her. She added that she sometimes “still has to wait for her husband” to conduct official business.
“So we have made significant progress, but we have so. so much more to do,” she said.
Councilmember Kate Stewart observed, “It’s not just having one woman at the table.” There is a “need for many perspectives.”
Pay Equity Still Lags
Women with the same education make 81 cents for every one dollar a man makes, according to the council’s proclamation. Black women make 66 cents, and Latino women make 52 cents for every dollar a man makes.
“We still have work to do, and I don’t think we could do it without women,” said Isabel Argoti, deputy director of programs for Community Bridges. Young women need to see that they can pursue their dreams, and it helps for them to see older role models, she said.
“It is not easy times, and it is only getting harder,” Argoti added.
County Commitment to Equality
According to the proclamation that each councilmember took turns reading, Montgomery County is committed to equality for women, regardless of race, class or sexual orientation.
The treaty the council voted to support is “an international framework to eliminate discrimination against women and advance gender equity.”
By supporting the treaty, “Montgomery County reaffirms its commitment to uplifting women and recognizes the intersectionality of the issues that affect them, including economic opportunity, education, childcare, safety, and health,” according to the resolution.
March is Women’s History Month!
Lift up the stories, strength, and impact of women everywhere.
The 2026 Girl Power Contest is open through 3/31 — share a creative piece inspired by a woman who motivates you.#WomensHistoryMonth #GirlPower@MoCoWomen@MCPL_Libraries@MoCoRec pic.twitter.com/gx5svDmCFy— Montgomery County MD Government (@MontgomeryCoMD) March 2, 2026
