Presidential Documents

9905

Federal Register

Vol. 62, No. 43

Wednesday, March 5, 1997

Title 3—

The President

Proclamation 6975 of March 3, 1997

Women’s History Month, 1997

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Throughout the history of our Nation, women have played a pivotal role

in bringing about positive change to every aspect of American life, and

their achievements continue to touch the lives of every single citizen. Women’s History Month honors the women who made these accomplishments

possible, securing their rightful place in history among those who have

made our country great. This month, we celebrate these women’s lives—

and renew our commitment to breaking down the gender barriers that still

exist.

Through their courage, foresight, and community spirit over the years, American women have created a world of opportunity for today’s heroines and

role models—women such as Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, the

highest ranking woman to serve in any presidential administration; Dr. Shannon W. Lucid, who has performed five historic and complex Space Shuttle

missions during 18 years with NASA and recently broke the American

and women’s world record for continuous time in space; Oseola McCarty,

who in 1995 donated the life savings she had earned as a maid to fund

scholarships at the University of Mississippi; and Julie Su, the young attorney

who first came to prominence through her efforts to expose illegal exploitation of Thai immigrants in a California sweatshop and who continues

to help immigrants to secure proper medical care, employment, and the

dignity they deserve. The pioneers in women’s history would be proud

of today’s women pioneers.

As we approach the 21st century, we have reached another significant milestone in our Nation’s history: Women have approached an almost equal

share in the labor force. Thus, it is more important than ever that we

enable women and men to meet their responsibilities at work and at home.

Women continue to break the glass ceiling, changing their status from employee to employer. Today, women-owned businesses are creating one out

of every four jobs in the United States. From the classroom to the board

room, women now occupy every part of the work force, building the kinds

of lives for themselves and their families that are the heart of the American

Dream.

Women’s History Month provides Americans with an opportunity to celebrate

the contributions of all the women who have enriched our Nation, to honor

their legacy, and to reflect upon what we can all do to end discrimination

against women. I encourage all Americans to learn from, and share information about, women’s history in their workplaces, classrooms, and family

rooms. As every family has its own heroes, so does our country. Only

by studying the history of America’s women can we fully understand the

history of America.
9906 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 43 / Wednesday, March 5, 1997 / Presidential Documents

NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, President of the United States

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution

and laws of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim March 1997,

as Women’s History Month. I ask educators, Government officials, and all

citizens to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and

activities, remembering not only this month but also every month the many

different contributions that women make every day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of

March, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety-seven, and

of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred

[FR Doc. 97–5565

Filed 3–4–97; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3195–01–P

and twenty-first.

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