[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 41, Number 34 (Monday, August 29, 2005)]
[Pages 1305-1306]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7918--Women's Equality Day, 2005

 August 25, 2005

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was 
adopted, guaranteeing American women the right to vote. The passage of 
this amendment was the culmination of a long struggle that reached back 
to the founding of the country and was furthered by the 1848 women's 
rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York. By celebrating Women's 
Equality Day, we commemorate the adoption of this amendment and honor 
the visionary women who fought tirelessly for women's suffrage.
    Led by women such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and 
Lucretia Mott, the suffragists stood up against injustice and persevered 
until, as Susan B. Anthony wrote, the handful who first took a stand for 
suffrage grew into an army. The efforts of these pioneers helped secure 
for American women the right to vote.
    Since the adoption of the 19th Amendment, women have continued to 
make great contributions to our Nation. Women today are leaders in 
medicine, law, journalism, business, government, and other professions. 
They are doctors and mothers, teachers and lawyers, homemakers and 
pilots, artists and entrepreneurs. Women also are serving with great 
honor in our Armed Forces as we fight a war on terror and defend our 
freedoms. The hard work of American women is essential to the strength 
and vitality of our country.
    One hundred and fifty-seven years after the Seneca Falls Convention, 
we continue to

[[Page 1306]]

work so that all people can enjoy their God-given rights. This Women's 
Equality Day, as we celebrate the 85th anniversary of the 19th 
Amendment, we honor the perseverance, leadership, and achievements of 
the suffragists and all of America's women, and we renew our commitment 
to equal justice and dignity for all.
     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, 2005, 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-fifth 
day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 
thirtieth.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:07 a.m., August 29, 
2005]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
August 30.