[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 28, 2002)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 55317-55318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-22163]



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Part II





The President





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Proclamation 7584--Women's Equality Day, 2002
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 167 / Wednesday, August 28, 2002 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Proclamation 7584 of August 23, 2002

                
Women's Equality Day, 2002

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Today, American women enjoy unprecedented opportunities 
                in business, education, politics, and countless other 
                aspects of our society. Historically, however, women 
                suffered grave inequalities and were denied some of the 
                most fundamental benefits of citizenship.

                Each year on August 26th, we mark the important 
                anniversary of the day on which women gained the right 
                to vote. In celebrating Women's Equality Day, we 
                remember the brave and determined individuals who 
                worked to ensure that all women have the opportunity to 
                participate in our democracy. Their dedication to the 
                suffrage movement improved our society, and continues 
                to inspire women today.

                When the first Women's Rights Convention was convened 
                in Seneca Falls in 1848, women in the United States had 
                limited financial, legal, and political power. In 
                addition to being denied the right to vote, they also 
                could not own property, control their wages, or claim 
                custody of their children.

                Courageous heroes like Carrie Chapman Catt, Alice Paul, 
                Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony refused to 
                accept women's status, and began a determined struggle 
                to gain suffrage for women. Leading active and vocal 
                groups like the National American Woman Suffrage 
                Association and the National Woman's Party, these women 
                risked attack and arrest to organize marches, boycotts, 
                and pickets, while mobilizing an influential lobbying 
                force of millions. Finally, on August 26, 1920, the 
                women's suffrage movement accomplished its goal through 
                the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the 
                Constitution, guaranteeing women the right to vote.

                In Afghanistan, the Taliban used violence and fear to 
                deny Afghan women access to education, health care, 
                mobility, and the right to vote. Our coalition has 
                liberated Afghanistan and restored fundamental human 
                rights and freedoms to Afghan women, and all the people 
                of Afghanistan. Young girls in Afghanistan are able to 
                attend schools for the first time.

                As we celebrate this day, I encourage all Americans to 
                learn about our important achievements in equality. 
                Looking to the future, we must remain diligent as we 
                work to ensure the rights of all of our citizens, and 
                to support those who struggle daily for life's basic 
                liberties.

                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, 2002, as Women's 
                Equality Day. I call upon the people of the United 
                States to observe this day with appropriate programs 
                and activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-third day of August, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand two, and of the

[[Page 55318]]

                Independence of the United States of America the two 
                hundred and twenty-seventh.

                    (Presidential Sig.)B

[FR Doc. 02-22163 Filed 8-27-02; 8:45 am]
Billing Code 3195-01-P