Women's Equality Day, 2013

Proclamation 9003 of August 23, 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.