[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 4, 2020)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 12719-12720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04550]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 85 , No. 43 / Wednesday, March 4, 2020 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 12719]]


                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

[[Page 12720]]

                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.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2020-04550
Filed 3-3-20; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F0-P