[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 35 (Monday, September 1, 2003)]
[Page 1115]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7695--Women's Equality Day, 2003

August 26, 2003

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    The 19th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified on August 26, 1920, 
guaranteed the right to vote for American women. Women's Equality Day 
commemorates this constitutional amendment and is an opportunity for 
citizens across our country to honor those who took part in the long and 
difficult struggle for women's suffrage, as well those since 1920 who 
have continued to fight for equal rights for women.
    Beginning with the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848, women's suffrage 
supporters lectured, wrote, marched, and lobbied for enfranchisement of 
American women. Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucretia 
Mott led this movement and advocated an amendment to the Constitution 
that would guarantee women the right to vote. Through their vision and 
dedication, these women advanced the fight for equal rights.
    Today, American women are making a difference in their communities 
and workplaces. Women's accomplishments in education, business, science, 
art, medicine, athletics, and every other field have made America better 
and stronger. The courage and determination of American women are 
exemplified in the personnel serving in our Armed Forces. Women across 
America are also helping to secure our country by serving as police 
officers, firefighters, doctors, nurses, paramedics, and first-
responders.
    Americans believe in opportunity for all and on this day, we honor 
the achievements of women who have charted the path to equal 
opportunity.
    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, 2003, 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-sixth 
day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., August 27, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on August 
28.