SR0977 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0977 LRB103 40575 LAW 73163 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The rebozo, a traditional Mexican garment that is a hybrid of a scarf and a shawl, is a respected sight within the Latino community, serving as an icon of the indigenous culture in Mexico while representing the strength, resilience, and loving nature of Mexican women; and

WHEREAS, The rebozo is not only a symbol of national identity and religiosity, representing Mexico on an international level, but is also a symbol of love transmitted from a grandmother or a mother to a daughter as a physical embodiment of safety, courage, and love for the family and the country; and

WHEREAS, Rebozos are traditionally worn by women in the Latin American community; its origins come from the colonization of Mexico, being predominantly worn by the lower, mestizo classes in contrast to the Spanish mantilla being worn by upper class Spaniards during the colonial era; the garment's evolution eventually led to it being worn by the upper class during special events; and

WHEREAS, The rebozo came to further express the different indigenous lifestyles of Mexico, as its fabric was dependent on the region of Mexico in which it was made; for example, it was traditionally made out of warm sheep wool in Oaxaca's chilly mountains, of cotton in the valley, and of beautiful silk combinations in towns that relied on the use of silk worms to produce such fibers; and

WHEREAS, During the 20th century in Mexico, the rebozo came to be seen as a sign of modesty, tradition, and fashion, which represents the growth of women in society and gives them a unifying element to express their national identity throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, The rebozo has been prominently worn by such notable women as Frida Kahlo, actress María Félix, and former First Lady of Mexico Margarita Zavala, and the item remains popular in all areas of Mexico and the United States and throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, Rebozos are mainly produced in and exported by Mexico, although some are produced in Spain and Portugal; and

WHEREAS, On average, a traditionally woven rebozo takes 30 to 60 days to produce and involves anywhere from 15 to 200 different steps, depending on how complicated the design is and the type of fiber being used; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare May 8, 2024 as Day of the Rebozo in the State of Illinois.