[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 32 (Monday, August 13, 2007)]
[Pages 1053-1054]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8164--Women's Equality Day, 2007

 August 6, 2007

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    On Women's Equality Day, we commemorate the adoption of the 19th 
Amendment to our Constitution and the strong leadership of extraordinary 
women who have made America a more perfect Union by advancing women's 
suffrage.
    At the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848, a group of visionaries 
gathered to proclaim the ideas that ``all men and women are created 
equal'' and ``endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable 
rights.'' That gathering grew into a national movement that led to the 
ratification of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women the right to 
vote. This achievement reflects the vision and determination of the 
suffragists who stood for a freer society and changed our Nation's 
history.

[[Page 1054]]

    Since the passage of the 19th Amendment, pioneers such as Margaret 
Chase Smith and Sandra Day O'Connor rose above obstacles and broke down 
barriers to equality. Today, American women are shaping our Nation and 
the world by serving in all walks of life. Many brave women volunteer to 
wear the uniform of the United States, and they serve as an inspiration 
to all.
    Our Nation is grateful for the bold leadership of American women who 
have opened doors of opportunity for women of future generations. On 
Women's Equality Day we honor the suffragists and all those who seek to 
expand equality in our world.
     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, 2007, as 
Women's Equality Day. I call upon the people of the United States to 
celebrate the achievements of women and observe this day with 
appropriate programs and activities.
     In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of 
August, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
second.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., August 8, 
2007]

Note: This proclamation was published in the Federal Register on August 
9.