By Senators Darneille, Conway, Nelson, Kuderer, Cleveland, Dhingra, Rolfes, Wellman, Chase, and Saldaña

WHEREAS, Judith (Judie) Fortier was born on October 24, 1948, in Tacoma, Washington; she was known as a forceful, giving, and open-hearted woman; and

WHEREAS, Judie was the daughter of a Union organizer and a public school music teacher; and

WHEREAS, Judie grew up in South Tacoma where she attended Arlington Elementary School and was spirited and outspoken from a young age until the end of her days; and

WHEREAS, As a defender of human and women's rights, Judie became the coordinator in the Women's Rights Division of the Human Rights Department for the City of Tacoma from 1974 through 2004; and

WHEREAS, Judie Fortier led the women's movement in Tacoma, and supported women's movements around the world; and Judie was tireless in her work to advance causes affecting women; and

WHEREAS, Judie Fortier voiced the rallying cry against some of the major challenges of our lives, including domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault, gun violence, the mass deportation policies that rip families apart, sexual exploitation, trafficking, and rape; and

WHEREAS, The women's movement has changed the course of history; and fierce women like Judie Fortier have been leaders in this constant battle speaking up and speaking out, often unseen and uncelebrated, but none have affected a community like Tacoma quite like Judie has; and

WHEREAS, Judie recognized that 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced violence in their lifetime and she was committed to raising awareness and changing public policy that affects these women; and

WHEREAS, Judie was a warrior for many causes from health access for all women and girls particularly those affected by breast cancer; economic equality, racial justice, to LGBTQ rights, and was an early advocate for gender equality in Title IX protections and the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment; and

WHEREAS, Judie once said: "You can't be what you can't see," and was dedicated to encouraging the next generation of women leaders; and

WHEREAS, Judie was a mentor who never tired of telling women and girls to recognize their power and challenged them to change the world; she fought for equality in sports, education, business, community and nonprofit leadership, and in public service, especially working to elect women to public office; and

WHEREAS, Judith Fortier passed away on January 5, 2018, leaving an enormous sense of loss among her friends, her neighbors, her community, and the women's movement in Tacoma and across the country and beyond; and

WHEREAS, In her final tweet on November 29, 2017, Judie Fortier wrote: "Your life is better because of the millions of women who believe in you and the leadership of people like Secretary Clinton, Maya Angelou, Delores Huerta, Ramona Bennett, and others"; and

WHEREAS, Our lives are better because Judie Fortier changed our lives;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate celebrate and honor Judith Fortier the woman, the mentor, the friend; acknowledge her invaluable contributions; and recognize her dedication, tenacity, passion, and sacrifice to give strength to women for generations to come.