Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Proclamations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montgomery County Council proclaims Mom-and-Pop Small Business Day and recognizes Equal Pay Day
Summary
The County Council honored long-running family businesses with a Mom-and-Pop Small Business Day proclamation and read an Equal Pay Day proclamation spotlighting pay gaps—citing Maryland figures and the county's 2019 Pay Equity Act, which county officials say eliminated the pay gap for new hires.
The Montgomery County Council on March 25 presented a proclamation recognizing Mom-and-Pop Small Business Day and read a separate proclamation marking Equal Pay Day.
Councilmember Sales opened the morning ceremonial segment by inviting several longtime local business owners to introduce themselves. Maria Ayers, who identified herself as co-owner of Touchless Car Wash, described three generations of family ownership on Shady Grove Road and North Frederick Avenue: "We've been in the business for 38 years...very grateful to be a 3rd generation in the community." Terry Hogan, executive director of the Olney Chamber of Commerce, said small family businesses are the backbone of the local economy and praised the council for the recognition.
The council then turned to Equal Pay Day. Councilmember Glass recited national and Maryland pay-gap figures cited in the proclamation and described the county's work to close disparities: "Here in the state of Maryland, women on average get paid 86¢ for every dollar a man make," Glass said, noting larger gaps for Black women (67¢) and Latinas (50¢). Glass credited the Montgomery County Pay Equity Act of 2019, which prohibited asking applicants about salary history, with eliminating the gender pay gap for new county hires.
Tracy Anderson, Montgomery County's chief human resources officer, said county work to implement pay equity is far along: "In 2023, Montgomery County virtually achieved pay equity," she said, adding that the county will continue work to address remaining disparities.
Advocates from local organizations and unions spoke in support of the proclamation. Astra Diaz, representing a national Latina sorority, urged continued attention to pay fairness for students and young professionals; speakers from Local 1994 (MCGEO/UFCW) and the Montgomery County chapter of the National Organization for Women thanked the council for the county's policy steps.
Councilmember Glass read the Equal Pay Day proclamation and noted it was presented and signed on March 25, 2025. The council encouraged local employers and leaders to pursue practices that promote equitable pay.
The proclamations were ceremonial actions and do not impose legal requirements; the county will take up related policy and budget discussions in future sessions as needed.
