Women's History Month, 2020

Proclamation 9990 of February 28, 2020

Women's History Month, 2020

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Women have influenced and advanced every facet of
American life and culture. The strength, ingenuity, and
spirit of our female leaders, innovators, and pioneers
shape our Nation's character, government, industry,
families, and communities. During Women's History
Month, we honor the women who have changed our Nation
and the world, and we reaffirm our commitment to
supporting the next generation of female trailblazers
and dreamers as they carry forward this distinguished
legacy.

This year marks the centennial anniversary of the
ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution,
securing the right to vote for women. This milestone in
our country was made possible by the devotion,
leadership, and perseverance of pioneers like Elizabeth
Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. The ratification of
the 19th Amendment enabled women to finally have their
voices counted in voting booths, paving the way for
greater female participation in all levels of
government. Heroes emerged like Frances Perkins, who,
as Secretary of Labor, was the first woman to hold a
cabinet-level position in the Federal Government, and
Clare Boothe Luce, an influential journalist,
playwright, Congresswoman, and the first woman
appointed to a major ambassadorial post abroad.

Throughout our history, women have also been pioneers
in fields like science, medicine, and engineering.
Bessie Coleman, the world's first civilian licensed
African-American pilot, and Marie Luhring, the first
female truck designer, changed the way we think about
aviation and transportation. Saint Katharine Drexel
selflessly served those in need and left an indelible
mark on nursing and education. NASA mathematician
Katherine Johnson, who passed away just a few days ago,
was behind some of the brilliant work that made
possible the first manned spaceflights by United States
astronauts. And just last year, two brave American
astronauts, Flight Engineers Christina Koch and Jessica
Meir, made history by conducting the first all-female
spacewalk outside of the International Space Station.

My Administration is committed to empowering all women
across the Nation and around the world to continue
pursuing their dreams and lifting humanity to new
heights. As President, I have championed policies that
create economic prosperity and opportunity, enabling
women to thrive as workers, parents, consumers,
innovators, entrepreneurs, and investors. In 2019,
women comprised 71 percent of the net increase in
employment, the female unemployment rate reached near
historic lows, and women for the first time made up the
majority of the college-educated labor force. I have
also signed into law legislation securing historic
levels of funding for child care so that both women and
men can better provide for their families, secure in
the knowledge that their children are being well-cared
for. In addition, we secured the first tax credit for
employers who offer paid family leave for those earning
$72,000 or less and doubled the child tax credit,
benefitting nearly 40 million American families, who
received an average of $2,200 in 2019. In December
2019, I was also pleased to sign legislation providing
for 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all Federal
employees. To drive

this effort further, I have also called on the Congress
to pass a nationwide paid family leave program.

On the international front, last year I signed a
National Security Presidential Memorandum to direct my
Administration to prioritize global women's economic
empowerment through the first ever whole-of-government
effort dedicated to this issue: the Women's Global
Development and Prosperity (W-GDP) Initiative. To date,
W-GDP has reached 12 million women through United
States Government programs and partnerships, with a
goal of reaching 50 million women by 2025. W-GDP's
efforts help secure a place for women to thrive and to
lead their families, communities, and nations into new
arenas of excellence.

This month, we pause as a Nation to pay tribute to the
women who strengthen and enrich our society through
civic action, devotion to family, and tireless
dedication to community, innovation, peace, and
prosperity. We pledge also to continue fighting for the
further advancement of women in our society and around
the globe, living up to the promise of our Nation's
founding.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 March 2020 as Women's
History Month. I call upon all Americans to observe
this month and to celebrate International Women's Day
on March 8, 2020, with appropriate programs,
ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord
two thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
fourth.