Designates February 4th of each year as "Women and Girls in Sports Day" in New Jersey.

SJR136

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 136

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MAY 11, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� MICHAEL L. TESTA, JR.

District 1 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland)

Senator� ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT

District 31 (Hudson)

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates February 4th of each year as �Women and
Girls in Sports Day� in New Jersey.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution
designating February 4th of each
year as �Women and Girls in Sports Day� in New Jersey.

Whereas,

Sport and physical activity play critical roles in the lives of all people and
are essential for good physical and emotional health; and

Whereas,

Opportunities in sports were traditionally open to men only, however the 20th
and 21st centuries saw women and girls strive to increasingly participate in
sports despite societal obstacles; and

Whereas,

Gender disparities continue to exist in sports and less prize money,
sponsorships, facilities, equipment, and athletic opportunities are allocated
for women and girl sports; and

Whereas,

Sports are essential to teaching girls important life skills which are drivers
of gender equality such as confidence, resilience, initiative, self-reliance,
self-discipline, leadership, and teamwork; and

Whereas,

Physical activity is key to the development of healthy bodies and minds and
sports encourage women and girls to become and remain physically active; and

Whereas,

Women�s sports have produced successful and inspiring athletes who serve as
good role models to fans of all ages and genders such as New Jersey natives
Carli Lloyd and Laurie Hernandez; and

Whereas,

The considerable achievements of women and girls in sports deserve recognition
and women�s fight against gender inequality deserves awareness; and

Whereas,

February 4th is nationally recognized as �National Girls and Women in Sports
Day�; and

Whereas,

The State of New Jersey can recognize women and girls� contribution to sports
and further encourage women and girls to participate in sports and physical
activity and promote gender equality by designing February 4th as �Women and
Girls in Sports Day� in New Jersey; now, therefore,

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

���� 1.��� February 4th of each
year is designated as �Women and Girls in Sports Day� in the State of New
Jersey to recognize and celebrate women and girls� contribution to sports.

���� 2.��� The Governor is
respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing February
4th as �Women and Girls in Sports Day� in New Jersey, and call upon public
officials and citizens of this State to observe the day with appropriate
activities and programs.

���� 3.��� This joint resolution
shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This joint resolution
designates February 4th of each year as �Women and Girls in Sports Day�.
Opportunities in sports were traditionally open to only men and women were
discouraged from participating in and taking an interest in sports. The 20th
and 21st centuries saw women strive to increasingly participate in sports,
however gender disparities continue to exist as less support and resources are
provided to women�s sports in comparison to men�s sports. This lack of
investment has led to issues such as pay disparities and the unequal allocation
of facilities and equipment for women�s sports. In spite of these inequalities,
women have contributed significantly to sports and inspiring athletes such as
New Jersey natives Carli Lloyd and Laurie Hernandez make excellent role models
to fans of all ages and genders. Women and girls deserve recognition for their
contributions to sports and an awareness of their fight for gender equality.

���� It should be further
acknowledged that sports are essential in the lives of girls because
participation in sports teach important life skills, which later empower them
as women to stand up against gender inequalities both in sports and in their
daily lives. Physical activity is necessary for good overall health and sports
are important because they

encourage women and girls to become
and remain physically active.