| Women's History Month 2002 |
| Presidential Press Releases |
Part of a series of Presidential Press Releases on the topic of women's history. Brought to you as a service by your About Guide to Women's History.
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, 2002
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BY THE
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Women's History Month provides our country the
privilege of honoring the countless contributions that American women have made
throughout our history. These contributions have enriched our culture,
strengthened our Nation, and furthered the Founders' vision for a free and just
Republic that provides opportunity and safety at home and is an influence for
peace around the world.
Since its beginnings, our land has been blessed by noteworthy women who played
defining roles in shaping our Nation. Sakajawea was a Native American woman who
befriended the explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, 150 years ago as
they crossed the great Northwest. She helped Lewis and Clark's expedition
complete the first successful overland transcontinental journey. Lucretia Mott
courageously wrote and spoke against slavery and the lack of equal rights for
women, helping America recognize the inherent wrong in the institutional
subjugation of others and the need to strive for equality, freedom, and justice
for all. Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman in America awarded a medical
degree, and she dedicated her pioneering efforts as a physician to helping
others.
Helen Keller overcame debilitating physical disabilities, showing us the power
of a determined human spirit. And Clara Barton developed a vision for helping
others through her service to the wounded during the Civil War; and she realized
that vision by founding the American Red Cross after the war, an organization
that has since become renowned for its effectiveness in helping those who suffer
or are in need. Recently, the Red Cross reached out to aid Afghan women
traumatized by the repressive rule of the intolerant Taliban regime, which for
years had mercilessly oppressed Afghanistan and Afghan women in particular.
Today, thousands of American women are furthering the cause of freedom through
service in government, the military, and other organizations, as we seek to
defeat terrorism and bring justice to those responsible for the September 11
attacks.
The history of American women is an expansive story of outstanding individuals
who sacrificed much and worked hard in pursuit of a better world, where peace,
dignity, and opportunity can reign. The spirit of loving determination that
shaped these pursuits continues to serve as an example to those who seek to
better our Nation. American women of strength, vision, and character have long
influenced our country by contributing their time, efforts, and wisdom in vastly
diverse ways to improve and enhance our government and communities, our schools
and religious institutions, our businesses and the military, and the arts and
sciences.
Women also have fundamentally shaped our civilization in the care and nurturing
of families. Today, women in contemporary America are furthering the Founders'
vision by working to advance freedom, increase equality, and administer justice
in every corner of our land, through their everyday work in schoolrooms,
boardrooms, courtrooms, homes, and communities.
As President, I am proud to recognize the many contributions American women have
made to help make our Nation free, strong, and a force for peace and justice
around the world. On this observance of Women's History Month, I encourage every
American to learn more about these important contributions, and to celebrate
their noble legacies as we work to build a brighter future for our Nation and
for all of the world's people.
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 March 2002 as Women's History Month. I call upon all
the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate programs,
ceremonies, and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of March, in the
year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the Independence of the United States
of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
