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Charleston issues three proclamations and hears Commission on Women proposals on Oct. 28 recognition and breastfeeding pods
Summary
Mayor William S. Cogswell proclaimed March observances including Women's History Month, Women in Construction Week and Lights Out Charleston nights; the City's Commission on Women asked council to recognize Oct. 28 as Equal Credit Opportunity Day and to champion breastfeeding pods in public spaces.
Mayor William S. Cogswell issued three proclamations at the March 11 council meeting: March 2025 as Women's History Month, Women in Construction Week (Palmetto chapter of NAWIC) and a Lights Out Charleston nights proclamation encouraging reduced nighttime lighting during spring and fall bird migration.
Representatives of the City of Charleston's Commission on Women presented to council and requested two initiatives for council consideration: (1) that the city officially recognize Oct. 28 as Equal Credit Opportunity Day (marking the 1974 federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act) and (2) that the city champion the installation or availability of breastfeeding pods in public spaces including parks, libraries and city buildings to support nursing mothers. Trish Curie (chair, Commission on Women) outlined the commission's mission to promote pay equity, affordable childcare and programs supporting women-owned businesses and asked council to consider the two items as part of the city's family-friendly initiatives.
Separately, the mayor read a Lights Out Charleston proclamation, which noted that research indicates approximately 80% of migratory songbirds travel at night and that eliminating nonessential interior and exterior lighting between 11 p.m. and dawn during migration months can reduce bird collisions. Jen Tyrell, an ornithologist with the National Audubon Society (South Carolina), spoke in support and said turning lights out during migration "saves energy" and "helps our personal health and mental health," and noted the benefits to bird populations and to stargazing.
The council accepted the proclamations; those are ceremonial recognitions and do not impose regulatory requirements. The Commission on Women requested that council consider the October recognition and a breastfeeding-pod program; council members invited the commission to return with implementation proposals and details on costs and sites.
Details from presentations: the Women in Construction Week proclamation recognized the Palmetto chapter of NAWIC (SC Chapter 385) and volunteers; a representative (Rebecca Mitchell of Sunbelt Rentals, NAWIC board) thanked council for the recognition. The Lights Out proclamation covers March through May and August through October and encourages residents and businesses to reduce lighting from 11 p.m. to dawn during migration months.
