Mother's Day, 2015

Proclamation 9278 of May 8, 2015

Mother's Day, 2015

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Each May, Americans dedicate a day to honor the
remarkable women who strive and sacrifice all year to
ensure ours is a Nation where all things are possible.
Whether married or single, LGBT or straight,
biological, adoptive, or foster, mothers are the
bedrocks of our lives and the foundation of our
society. They are our first friends and teachers,
inspiring us to reach great heights and supporting us
no matter the challenges we face or the paths we
choose. Today, we come together to celebrate the women
who raised us and who love us unconditionally--who do
whatever it takes to set us on the road to success and
want nothing more than for us to lead happy, healthy
lives.

Our Nation's mothers are breadwinners, community
leaders, and pillars of family. For generations, they
have blazed new paths--from Seneca Falls and Selma to
the boardroom, the laboratory, and the forefronts of
our military conflicts--opening up new possibilities
and widening the circle of opportunity. Today, these
pioneers show us what is possible for ourselves and our
country. They are our Nation's innovators, tireless
workers, engines of economic growth, and drivers of
progress. And through their example, they teach our
future dreamers and doers about the value of hard work,
compassion, service, and personal responsibility.

Today, women are nearly half of the American workforce,
and as a Nation, we must ensure our policies reflect
this reality because no woman should have to choose
between being a productive employee and a responsible
mother. All women deserve equal pay for equal work and
a living wage, and as President, I have fought
tirelessly to advance these commonsense measures. I
continue to call for increased workplace flexibility
and access to paid leave, including paid sick days, and
I have proposed a plan that would make quality child
care available to every middle-class and low-income
family with young children. I remain committed to
tearing down the remaining barriers to mothers' full
and equal participation in our economy and society--
because when mothers succeed, America succeeds and
policies that benefit women and working families
benefit us all.

We owe so much to our mothers, and they deserve
policies that support them, as well as our profound
love and gratitude. On Mother's Day, we give thanks to
our mothers who lift us up every day. Let us pay
respect to those who continue to offer us generous love
and patient counsel and hold fast to the memories of
all who live on in our hearts.

The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 8,
1914 (38 Stat. 770), has designated the second Sunday
in May each year as ``Mother's Day'' and requested the
President to call for its appropriate observance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 10,
2015, as Mother's Day. I urge all Americans to express
love and gratitude to mothers everywhere, and I call
upon all citizens to observe this day with appropriate
programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand
fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States
of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.