[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2011)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 11931-11932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-5030]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 42 / Thursday, March 3, 2011 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 11931]]


                Proclamation 8630 of February 28, 2011

                
Women's History Month, 2011

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                During Women's History Month, we reflect on the 
                extraordinary accomplishments of women and honor their 
                role in shaping the course of our Nation's history. 
                Today, women have reached heights their mothers and 
                grandmothers might only have imagined. Women now 
                comprise nearly half of our workforce and the majority 
                of students in our colleges and universities. They 
                scale the skies as astronauts, expand our economy as 
                entrepreneurs and business leaders, and serve our 
                country at the highest levels of government and our 
                Armed Forces. In honor of the pioneering women who came 
                before us, and in recognition of those who will come 
                after us, this month, we recommit to erasing the 
                remaining inequities facing women in our day.

                This year, we commemorate the 100th anniversary of 
                International Women's Day, a global celebration of the 
                economic, political, and social achievements of women 
                past, present, and future. International Women's Day is 
                a chance to pay tribute to ordinary women throughout 
                the world and is rooted in women's centuries-old 
                struggle to participate in society on an equal footing 
                with men. This day reminds us that, while enormous 
                progress has been made, there is still work to be done 
                before women achieve true parity.

                My Administration has elevated the rights of women and 
                girls abroad as a critical aspect of our foreign and 
                national security policy. Empowering women across the 
                globe is not simply the right thing to do, it is also 
                smart foreign policy. This knowledge is reflected in 
                the National Security Strategy of the United States, 
                which recognizes that countries are more peaceful and 
                prosperous when their female citizens enjoy equal 
                rights, equal voices, and equal opportunities. Today, 
                we are integrating a focus on women and girls in all 
                our diplomatic efforts, and incorporating gender 
                considerations in every aspect of our development 
                assistance. We are working to build the participation 
                of women into all aspects of conflict prevention and 
                resolution, and we are continuing to lead in combating 
                the scourge of conflict-related sexual violence, both 
                bilaterally and at the United Nations.

                In America, we must lead by example in protecting 
                women's rights and supporting their empowerment. 
                Despite our progress, too many women continue to be 
                paid less than male workers, and women are 
                significantly underrepresented in the science, 
                technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. 
                By tapping into the potential and talents of all our 
                citizens, we can utilize an enormous source of economic 
                growth and prosperity. The White House Council on Women 
                and Girls has continued to remove obstacles to 
                achievement by addressing the rate of violence against 
                women, supporting female entrepreneurs, and 
                prioritizing the economic security of women. American 
                families depend largely on the financial stability of 
                women, and my Administration continues to prioritize 
                policies that promote workplace flexibility, access to 
                affordable, quality health care and child care, support 
                for family caregivers, and the enforcement of equal pay 
                laws. I have also called on every agency in the Federal 
                Government to be part of the solution to ending 
                violence against women, and they have responded with 
                unprecedented cooperation to protect victims of 
                domestic and sexual violence and enable survivors to 
                break the cycle of abuse.

[[Page 11932]]

                As we reflect on the triumphs of the past, we must also 
                look to the limitless potential that lies ahead. To win 
                the future, we must equip the young women of today with 
                the knowledge, skills, and equal access to reach for 
                the promise of tomorrow. My Administration is making 
                unprecedented investments in education and is working 
                to expand opportunities for women and girls in the STEM 
                fields critical for growth in the 21st-century economy.

                As we prepare to write the next chapter of women's 
                history, let us resolve to build on the progress won by 
                the trailblazers of the past. We must carry forward the 
                work of the women who came before us and ensure our 
                daughters have no limits on their dreams, no obstacles 
                to their achievements, and no remaining ceilings to 
                shatter.

                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 March 2011 as Women's 
                History Month. I call upon all Americans to observe 
                this month and to celebrate International Women's Day 
                on March 8, 2011 with appropriate programs, ceremonies, 
                and activities that honor the history, accomplishments, 
                and contributions of American women. I also invite all 
                Americans to visit www.WomensHistoryMonth.gov to learn 
                more about the generations of women who have shaped our 
                history.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
                fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2011-5030
Filed 3-2-11; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P