[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 127, 113th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 9003--AUG. 23, 2013

Proclamation 9003 of August 23, 2013

Women's Equality Day, 2013
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On August 26, 1920, after decades of organizing, agitating, and
demonstrating, our country achieved a major victory for women's rights
and American democracy. The 19th Amendment was certified, extending the
vote to women and advancing our Nation's long journey toward full
equality for all Americans. The ratification of the 19th Amendment paved
the way for more women to participate in American politics--as leaders,
candidates, voters, and volunteers. Today, women make up the majority of
the electorate, and last year a record number of women were elected to
the United States Congress. On Women's Equality Day, we celebrate the
progress that has been made, and renew our commitment to securing equal
rights, freedoms, and opportunities for women everywhere.
From the beginning, my Administration has been committed to advancing
the historic march toward gender equality. We have fought for equal pay,
prohibited gender discrimination in America's healthcare system, and
established the White House Council on Women and Girls, which works to
ensure fair treatment in all matters of public policy. In March, I
signed a reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which
provides better tools to law enforcement to reduce domestic and sexual
violence, strengthens support systems, and extends protections to even
more women. And earlier this year, the Department of Defense announced
plans to remove roadblocks that prevent women from serving the country
they love at the highest levels their extraordinary valor and talent
will take them.



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Yet we have more work to do. A fair deal for women is essential to a
thriving middle class, but while women graduate college at higher rates
than men, they still make less money after graduation and often have
fewer opportunities to enter well-paid occupations or receive
promotions. On average, women are paid 77 cents for every dollar paid to
men. That is why the first bill I signed was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair
Pay Act. It is also why I established the National Equal Pay Task Force,
which is cracking down on equal pay violations at a record rate. And it
is why I issued a Presidential Memorandum calling for a Government-wide
strategy to close any gender pay gap within the Federal workforce. To
build on this work, I will continue to urge the Congress to pass the
Paycheck Fairness Act, a bill that would strengthen the Equal Pay Act
and give women more tools to challenge unequal wages. My Administration
will also continue our campaign to engage women and girls in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics careers, and we will broaden
our efforts to empower women and girls around the world.
As we reflect with pride on decades of progress toward gender equality,
we must also resolve to make progress in our time. Today, we honor the
pioneers of women's equality by doing our part to realize that great
American dream--the dream of a Nation where all things are possible for
all people.
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 August 26, 2013, as
Women's Equality Day. I call upon the people of the United States to
celebrate the achievements of women and promote gender equality in our
country.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of
August, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.
BARACK OBAMA