ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A measure to officially change the way Maryland translates an old family motto in the state seal has been passed by the Maryland Senate out of concern the old translation was sexist.
Senators voted 40-6 Wednesday to translate the motto as "strong deeds, gentle words," instead of "manly deeds, womanly words."
When Maryland codified the motto "fatti maschii parole femine" in the seal in 1959, it was translated by statute with the gender connotations.
Sen. Bryan Simonaire says the state has moved away from the old translation in other places, but he wanted to make the translation removing references to gender official.
Lawmakers changed the bill so that it avoids making the new translation a state motto, as the bill initially proposed. The bill now goes to the House.
