[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 9 (Monday, March 7, 1994)]
[Pages 416-417]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 6654--Women's History Month, 1994

March 2, 1994

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    When author Zora Neale Hurston was growing up in Eatonville, 
Florida, at the beginning of the century, her mother encouraged her to 
``jump at the sun''--to set lofty goals--even if she were not certain to 
reach them. In many ways, Zora did ``jump at the sun,'' writing books, 
articles, and plays that have earned her a place among America's finest 
writers and anthropologists. Her mother's words became a powerful 
metaphor for her

[[Page 417]]

life, and Zora's brilliant works reflect the vibrant history of the many 
women whose lives she studied.
    Zora Neale Hurston might never have imagined that women would one 
day have the opportunity to take her mother's teaching literally. But 
from Sally Ride to Mae Jemison to Kathryn Sullivan, astronauts have 
soared closer to the sun than most humans ever dreamed. As we celebrate 
Women's History Month, 1994, Americans take special pride in the scope 
of women's achievements, exemplified by the daring spirit of these 
pioneering individuals. We watched in awe recently as astronaut Sullivan 
performed complex repairs on the Hubble space telescope by the light of 
the rising sun. And we shared her happiness as she basked in the love of 
her family at the end of a successful mission. From author to astronaut 
to able parent, women have embraced a myriad of challenging roles 
throughout our Nation's history.
    But America has not yet fulfilled its promise of equality for all 
people. While more women than ever now hold public office in our 
country, more women than ever must also bear sole responsibility for 
caring for their families. We rely on women's knowledge and expertise in 
every aspect of life, and yet we as a society fail to provide many of 
our families the care and support they so desperately need. We take 
satisfaction in knowing that women have gained equality under the law, 
but we must also recognize the ways in which true equality is still only 
a dream. Zora's ``sun'' eludes our grasp. This month, we rededicate 
ourselves to reaching it.
    On this occasion, we celebrate the lives of women too long missing 
from our history books. We listen to the voices of women too long absent 
from our national memory. Most important, we look forward to a day when 
society need not remind itself to note the extraordinary accomplishments 
of women. We dream of a time when, in passing the lessons of this 
generation from teacher to student, from parent to child, we tell a 
story of women and men working side by side. We will say that it took 
all people, striving together, to build a just and compassionate world 
of liberty, charity, and peace.
    The Congress, by Public Law 103-22, has designated March 1994 as 
``Women's History Month'' and has authorized and requested the President 
to issue a proclamation in observance of this occasion.
    Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, President of the United 
States of America, do hereby proclaim March 1994 as Women's History 
Month. I invite all Americans to observe this month with appropriate 
programs, ceremonies, and activities, and to remember throughout the 
year the rich and varied contributions that women make to our world.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this second day of 
March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-four, and of 
the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
eighteenth.
                                            William J. Clinton

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 12:29 p.m., March 4, 
1994]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
March 8.