Day 238: 8/26/13- Women's Equality Day
New Thing: Read the Presidential Equality Proclamation
Inspiration: Women's Equality Day
Time: A few mins.
Bottom Line: Votes for Women!!
Reflection: Today is Women's Equality Day! Here is the wiki description:
Women's Equality Day is a day proclaimed
each year by the United States President to commemorate the granting of
the vote to women throughout the country on an equal basis with men.
Women in the United States were granted the right to vote on August 26,
1920, when the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution
was certified. The amendment was first introduced many years earlier in
1878. Every president has published a proclamation for Women's Equality
Day since 1971 when legislation was first introduced in Congress by Bella Abzug.This resolution was passed designating August 26 of each year as Women's Equality Day.
So, today, in honor of all those brave women who fought for the right to vote, I proudly read the President's Proclamation. Here it is:
Presidential Proclamation -- Women's Equality Day, 2013
WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY, 2013
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
On August 26, 1920, after decades of
organizing, agitating, and demonstrating, our country achieved a major
victory for women's rights and American democracy. The 19th Amendment
was certified, extending the vote to women and advancing our Nation's
long journey toward full equality for all Americans. The ratification of
the 19th Amendment paved the way for more women to participate in
American politics -- as leaders, candidates, voters, and volunteers.
Today, women make up the majority of the electorate, and last year a
record number of women were elected to the United States Congress. On
Women's Equality Day, we celebrate the progress that has been made, and
renew our commitment to securing equal rights, freedoms, and
opportunities for women everywhere.
From the beginning, my Administration
has been committed to advancing the historic march toward gender
equality. We have fought for equal pay, prohibited gender discrimination
in America's healthcare system, and established the White House Council
on Women and Girls, which works to ensure fair treatment in all matters
of public policy. In March, I signed a reauthorization of the Violence
Against Women Act, which provides better tools to law enforcement to
reduce domestic and sexual violence, strengthens support systems, and
extends protections to even more women. And earlier this year, the
Department of Defense announced plans to remove roadblocks that prevent
women from serving the country they love at the highest levels their
extraordinary valor and talent will take them.
Yet we have more work to do. A fair
deal for women is essential to a thriving middle class, but while women
graduate college at higher rates than men, they still make less money
after graduation and often have fewer opportunities to enter well-paid
occupations or receive promotions. On average, women are paid 77 cents
for every dollar paid to men. That is why the first bill I signed was
the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. It is also why I established the
National Equal Pay Task Force, which is cracking down on equal pay
violations at a record rate. And it is why I issued a Presidential
Memorandum calling for a Government-wide strategy to close any gender
pay gap within the Federal workforce. To build on this work, I will
continue to urge the Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill
that would strengthen the Equal Pay Act and give women more tools to
challenge unequal wages. My Administration will also continue our
campaign to engage women and girls in science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics careers, and we will broaden our efforts to empower
women and girls around the world.
As we reflect with pride on decades of
progress toward gender equality, we must also resolve to make progress
in our time. Today, we honor the pioneers of women's equality by doing
our part to realize that great American dream -- the dream of a Nation
where all things are possible for all people.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA,
President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do
hereby proclaim August 26, 2013, as Women's Equality Day. I call upon
the people of the United States to celebrate the achievements of women
and promote gender equality in our country.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand this twenty-third day of August, in the year of our Lord two
thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of
America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.
BARACK OBAMA
