Women's Equality Day: August 26, 2026
Issue #20
Today is the 53rd (or 55th, unofficially) Women's Equality Day, first celebrated in 1971 and designated by Congress in 1973. The holiday is recognized in the United States every year on August 26 to commemorate the 1920 adoption of the 19th Amendment, which prohibits the states and federal government from denying the right to vote on the basis of sex. But its true spirit is much broader, encompassing all facets of equality.
Did you know that Petaluma Voice was founded by two women and currently has an all-women board?
Want to come to our launch party on the afternoon of Saturday, Sept. 19? Enjoy free beer, wine, and snacks; meet the team and other community members including past 5Qs interview subjects and city officials; and ask us all your questions about launching a hyper-local news nonprofit! Become an Incubator to attend one free Petaluma Voice event per year, and we'll put you on the list!
This week's issue
Talk of P-Town is jam-packed with Petaluma news, information, events, and yarns – including the story of these Skillman Lane sheep who snuck out and stopped traffic, requiring a neighborly effort to bring them home.
Meet Jill Olson, a fourth-generation Sonoma County resident who co-founded Beautify Petaluma in 2025. With help from local sponsors and volunteers, the organization seeks to dress up downtown Petaluma through small projects with big aesthetic impact.
At the Waugh School District in east Petaluma, recent administrative pay raises have drawn scrutiny from non-teaching staff and the union that represents them. Reporter Jennifer Sawhney has the story.
In our monthly outdoors column Get Out, editor Nate Seltenrich shares the stories of four Petaluma runners who are preparing for the Clo Cow 5K, 10K, or half-marathon on Sunday, Oct. 11, in downtown Petaluma.
Also in local sporting news: Petaluma High School sophomore Niko Podesta and his father Ryan will travel to France next week to compete in the Paintball World Championship.
Finally, check out Scene & Herd for a few photos from Aqus Community's unique "The Big Social" event on Saturday, Aug. 22, featuring live music by the Casa Grande High School Jazz Combo.
In case you missed it: Mother's Day and Father's Day
For both Mother's Day and Father's Day this year, we published themed stories and interviews addressing parenthood and valuable local resources.
Mother's Day aligned with our fourth issue, on May 6, 2026. Our main story profiled Petaluma nonprofit Mothers Care, which helps parents work through pregnancy and the first few years of their little one's life. And 5Qs featured an interview with Sierra Dator, mom and founder of Wise Girl Workshops.
For our Father's Day issue on June 17, 2026, we introduced you to three Petaluma dads who are making a difference in the lives of other local men and teens. In 5Qs, we shared a moving conversation with Dom Gizzi Jr. and Joelle Whalen, who lost their father, Domenic Anthony Gizzi, last May.
Do you like our work? Support us with a tip.