SJR132

A Joint Resolution designating the Monday of Manufacturing Week as Women in Manufacturing Day in New Jersey and amending P.L.2020, J.R.5.

Whereas, Throughout history, women have played a pivotal role in the manufacturing industry as laborers, leaders, and innovators; and

Whereas, Women are responsible for the invention of products that revolutionized the manufacturing industry, including the circular saw, invented by Tabitha Babbitt in 1810, safety devices for textile looms and machines to cut and assemble paper bags, both designed by Margaret Knight in the late 1800s, and Kevlar, which is used in cables and cut-resistant work gloves and was first created by Stephanie Kwolek in the 1960s; and

Whereas, Manufacturing is a critical component of New Jersey’s economy, and women comprise one-third of the manufacturing industry’s workforce and occupy 25 percent of leadership positions in manufacturing companies; and

Whereas, New Jersey is the third highest state for percentage of women working in the manufacturing industry and is among the states with the largest number of women working in key manufacturing fields like pharmaceuticals and textiles; and

Whereas, Gender diversity in a company is proven to result in an improved ability to innovate, higher return on equity, and increased profitability for manufacturing companies; and

Whereas, Organizations like the Women in Manufacturing Association and The Manufacturing Institute are working to provide mentorship and recognition to women in the manufacturing industry in order to increase the number of women entering the manufacturing industry; and

Whereas, Despite recent progress, women still constitute one of the largest pools of untapped talent in manufacturing, and closing the industry’s gender gap is critical to the evolution and expansion of manufacturing businesses; and

Whereas, The celebration of women’s contributions to the manufacturing industry would encourage more women to pursue careers in the field; and

Whereas, It is fitting that we recognize and promote the valuable role that women play in New Jersey’s manufacturing industry by designating the Monday of Manufacturing Week as Women in Manufacturing Day; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. Section 1 of P.L.2020, J.R.5 (C.36:2-398) is amended to read as follows:

1. a. The first week of October of each year is designated as Manufacturing Week in the State of New Jersey in recognition of the significance the manufacturing industry plays in the State's economy.

b. The Monday of Manufacturing Week is designated as Women in Manufacturing Day in recognition of the contributions of the thousands of women who work in the State’s manufacturing industry.

(cf: P.L.2020, J.R.5, s.1)

2. Section 2 of P.L.2020, J.R.5 (C.36:2-399) is amended to read as follows:

2. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue a proclamation annually and call upon public[,] officials, private organizations, and all citizens of this State to observe [this] the celebration of Manufacturing Week and Women in Manufacturing Day each year with appropriate events and activities.

(cf: P.L.2020, J.R.5, s.2)

3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This resolution designates the Monday of Manufacturing Week as Women in Manufacturing Day. This day recognizes the historical and modern contributions of women to the manufacturing industry in the State of New Jersey.

Throughout history, women have played a crucial role in the manufacturing industry. Since the Industrial Revolution, women have made up a significant portion of the workforce, contributing as laborers, leaders, and innovators. Women like Tabitha Babbitt, Margaret Knight, and Stephanie Kwolek revolutionized the manufacturing industry with their inventions, paving the way for increased productivity and better safety measures.

Women continue to play an important role in the manufacturing industry. Manufacturing is crucial to New Jersey’s economy and women constitute a substantial portion of the workforce in both labor and leadership positions. New Jersey is the third highest state for percentage of women working in the manufacturing industry and is among the states with the largest number of women working in key manufacturing fields like pharmaceuticals and textiles. The women who work in New Jersey’s manufacturing industry are a vital part of its success.

Women are an essential part of any plan to grow the manufacturing industry. Gender diversity in a business is proven to result in an improved ability to innovate and increases profitability, and as such helps any company to expand and evolve. One of the key components to recruiting more women to the field of manufacturing is encouraging women from a younger age, and the celebration of women’s contributions to the field would capture the interest of girls and young women.