Women's Equality Day, 2006

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Part VII

The President

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Proclamation 8040--Women's Equality Day, 2006

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Title 3--
The President

Proclamation 8040 of August 21, 2006

Women's Equality Day, 2006

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The ratification of our Constitution's 19th Amendment
on August 26, 1920, marked a turning point for America
as women were guaranteed the right to vote. On Women's
Equality Day, we celebrate this milestone and pay
tribute to the inspiring individuals who stepped
forward and asked our Nation to live up to its founding
principle of equality for all.

The struggle for women's rights is a story of strong
women joining together to break down the barriers to
equality. With courage and determination, Lucretia
Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and
other suffragists inspired generations of women and
helped change the path of our Nation's history. The
Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 sparked a mass movement
for women's voting rights that gained support from
women of all ages and backgrounds. In 1890, Wyoming
became the first State whose constitution allowed women
to vote, and by 1918, women could vote in 14 additional
States. Two years later, women secured nationwide
suffrage with the passage of the 19th Amendment. By
demanding participation in the democratic process,
these visionaries helped spread freedom, justice, and
hope for generations to come.

Women today are continuing the suffragists' legacy of
leadership and strength. They are shaping the future
through their contributions to all aspects of American
life, including science, law, business, education,
athletics, and the arts. They are serving our Nation
with honor and distinction in our Armed Forces.
American women have served as examples for women in
other countries in their efforts to increase their
participation in civic and political life. Our Nation
remains committed to advancing the equality of women in
the world's newest democracies and fighting threats to
women around the globe.

The courage of American suffragists made our Nation a
stronger and more hopeful place, and we will continue
to build an America where the dignity of every person
is respected and where opportunity is within reach of
all our citizens. On Women's Equality Day, we honor the
contributions and accomplishments of women throughout
our history, and we pay tribute to all those who helped
bring equality to women in America.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim August 26, 2006, as Women's
Equality Day. I call upon the people of the United
States to celebrate the achievements of women and
observe this day with appropriate programs and
activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord two
thousand six, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.