WhiteHouse.gov Blog Feed: Council on Women and Girls

President Obama Adds Historic Focus on Women’s Rights at G-8 and NATO Summits

Tina Tchen — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:39:56 +0000

This week, under President Obama’s leadership, the Group of 8 (G-8) and NATO each made history by placing women’s rights squarely on the agenda. Recognizing women as drivers of economic growth and as essential actors for strengthening global peace and security, G-8 and NATO leaders not only put efforts to protect women’s rights and advance women’s participation front and center, but also recognized women as agents of change, and committed their countries to expanding efforts to empower women worldwide.

President Obama first invited fellow G-8 leaders to Camp David for talks on a wide range of economic, political and security issues. The President then welcomed NATO allies and partners to his hometown of Chicago for the NATO Summit, where leaders took steps to build the NATO-Afghanistan partnership while responsibly ending the war, and ensure that NATO remains the most successful alliance in history. At each of these events, world leaders also discussed the importance of ensuring protection for women’s rights and the full participation of women in countries experiencing political transition.

President Obama introduced the topic of women’s rights at the G-8 leader’s dinner on May18th, and in his remarks the next morning described the outcome of that conversation:

We agreed that both, when it comes to economic development and when it comes to peace and security issues, empowering women to have a seat at the table and get more engaged and more involved in these processes can be extraordinarily fruitful. And this is something that we will also be introducing during the G20.

The G-8 leader’s declaration affirmed the President’s message:

We recognize that according women full and equal rights and opportunities is crucial for all countries’ political stability, democratic governance, and economic growth. We reaffirm our commitment to advance human rights of and opportunities for women, leading to more development, poverty reduction, conflict prevention and resolution, and improved maternal health and reduced child mortality. We also commit to supporting the right of all people, including women, to freedom of religion in safety and security. We are concerned about the reduction of women’s political participation and the placing at risk of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including in Middle East and North Africa countries emerging from conflict or undergoing political transitions. We condemn and avow to stop violence directed against, including the trafficking of, women and girls. We call upon all states to protect human rights of women and to promote women’s roles in economic development and in strengthening international peace and security.

Two days later, the NATO Chicago Summit Declaration focused on the role of women in peace building, conflict prevention, and in preventing gender-based violence, echoing the United States’ first-ever National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security:

Widespread sexual and gender-based violence in conflict situations, the lack of effective institutional arrangements to protect women, and the continued under-representation of women in peace processes, remain serious impediments to building sustainable peace. We remain committed to the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and related Resolutions which are aimed at protecting and promoting women’s rights, role, and participation in preventing and ending conflict. In line with the NATO/Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) Policy, the Alliance, together with its partners, has made significant progress in implementing the goals articulated in these Resolutions. In this regard, we have today endorsed a Strategic Progress Report on mainstreaming UNSCR 1325 and related Resolutions into NATO-led Operations and Missions, and welcomed Norway’s generous offer to provide a NATO Special Representative for these important issues. In this context, and to further advance this work, we have tasked the Council to: continue implementing the Policy and the Action Plan; undertake a review of the practical implications of UNSCR 1325 for the conduct of NATO operations and missions; further integrate gender perspectives into Alliance activities; and submit a report for our next Summit.

Over the past year, we have seen a groundswell of recognition of the critical importance of women’s political and economic empowerment around the world. Last year at the UN General Assembly, President Obama challenged us all “to break down economic and political barriers that stop women and girls from reaching their full potential,” and we are now developing a new initiative to advance this agenda. In November 2011, under U.S. leadership we saw new emphasis placed on women’s economic empowerment in the APEC Women and the Economy Summit declaration and the APEC Leaders Declaration. President Obama also highlighted the importance of women entrepreneurs at the Summit of the Americas in April 2012. In each of these forums, the United States is working with its international partners to create the change necessary for greater shared prosperity and security -- a goal for which we can all be proud.

Tina Tchen is the Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls

Join the Conversation: #VetsTownHall

Mon, 21 May 2012 18:05:46 +0000

Ed. note: This is cross-posted from Work in Progress

Join the Department of Labor (DOL) for a Women Veterans Twitter Town Hall on Tuesday, May 22 at 12 pm EDT.

You’ll have the chance to ask questions about resources and services available to women veterans as they return home from active duty. Officials from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will take part in the discussion, as well as special guests from John 14:2, Inc., Women Veterans Interactive, and Business and Professional Women’s Foundation.

During the chat, DOL will discuss the department’s efforts to assist servicewomen with the resources necessary to successfully reintegrate back into civilian life. Below are some additional topics that we can cover Tuesday via the hashtag #VetsTownHall:

Department of Labor (@USDOL):

Send the Women’s Bureau questions about the “Trauma-Informed Care for Women Veterans Experiencing Homelessness: A Guide for Service Providers,” an organizational self-assessment tool for service providers to assist them in serving women veterans. Latifa Lyles, acting director of the Women’s Bureau, will be on Twitter to answer questions about what her agency is doing to assist women veterans experiencing homelessness with community based resources.
Turn to Junior Ortiz, DOL’s deputy assistant secretary for veterans’ employment and training. You’ll have the chance to ask him about resources to assist and prepare women veterans to obtain meaningful careers, maximize their employment opportunities, and protect their employment rights.
Chat with Pamela Langley, DOL VETS division chief for employment and training programs and a veteran who recently returned from Afghanistan. She’ll join the conversation to answer your questions about where to go for assistance in looking for a new career and how to convert your military experience into civilian jobs.
Ask DOL’s Gerri Fiala, deputy assistant secretary for employment and training, questions about the Employment and Training Administration’s veterans’ programs and initiatives, such as the Gold Card, priority of service, and pilot with Microsoft to provide training for veterans.

Department of Veterans Affairs: (@DeptVetAffairs):

Tweet the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Mary Santiago, director of the Veteran Employment Services Office to learn about VA for VETS online resources and one-on-one coaching services to recruit, retain and reintegrate talented veterans to the federal government. She can tell you about the VA for VETS hiring fair in Detroit for veterans looking for careers in the public and private sectors.
Chat with Dr. Sally Haskell, acting director of VA’s Comprehensive Women’s Health, Dr. Mary Schohn, acting director of Mental Health Operations, and Dr. Susan McCutcheon, national director for Family Services, Women’s Mental Health and Military Sexual Trauma. They’ll be available to answer questions about women veteran’s mental health care, screening and treatment for experience of MST and family services.
Check in VA’s Dr. Irene Trowell-Harris, director of the Center for Women Veterans, to learn about their mission and role in monitoring and coordinating health care, benefits services and programs for women veterans.
Ask VA’s Homeless Veterans Initiative Office Dr. Susan Angell, special assistant of the Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs about housing and prevention efforts that assist women veterans.

Special Guests:

Chat with John 14:2, Inc., Women Veterans Interactive Founder and CEO Ginger Miller (@womenvetsaction). She’ll join the conversation to answer your questions about support services, housing options, advocacy and outreach for women veterans and their families.
Tweet the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation Mentoring Liaison Joan Grey (@BPWF4WomenVets) to learn how career mentoring can help women veterans get a boost in the job market by helping them find suitable employment and advance in their careers.

Tweet us before and during the event using the hashtag #VetsTownHall. You can also send us your questions by e-mail to womensbureaunetwork@dol.gov before Monday, May 21 at 3 pm EDT.

Starting at 12 pm EDT on May 22, we’ll be live to answer questions submitted both before and during the event.

We look forward to tweeting you!

Deputy Secretary Blank Advocates Public Service in Commencement Speech

Rebecca Blank — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:47:57 +0000

Ed. note: This is cross-posted from Commerce.gov

This morning, I had the privilege of delivering the commencement address to graduate students at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) commencement ceremony.

I was also deeply honored to receive an honorary Doctor of Public Service during the ceremony for my work as a public servant, including the leadership I provided in my previous job at Commerce, overseeing the nation’s premier statistical agencies, the Census Bureau (during the 2010 Census) and the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The commencement speech provided an opportunity to give advice to the graduate students and to encourage them to use their expertise and experience to find solutions to the pressing problems facing our world. UMBC is particularly well-known for its scientific training. Science, technology, engineering and math–STEM fields–are particularly important, and it is STEM-related research that will drive innovation in the years ahead. In fact, STEM jobs have grown three times faster than other jobs, indicating the need for more workers with these skills.STEM jobs are not just for graduates with advanced degrees: about one-third of STEM jobs are available to workers who do not have college degrees, but who have post-high school training and certification.

But in the U.S., only about 13 percent of college graduates finish school with a STEM degree, compared to 25 percent of college graduates in other countries, like Germany. That’s why the President’s 2013 budget invests $3 billion across the federal government in programs that promote STEM education, a three percent increase. In particular, we need to focus on creating more paths for women and minorities to get STEM degrees. And we need to make sure that we keep the talent already here, by “stapling” green cards to the STEM degrees of foreign students who come to the U.S., get a world-class education, and receive job offers which will help our companies drive innovation.

I also talked about the need for students to find ways to "give back" as they move through their careers. I care a great deal about public service and am proud to work in the federal government. More than ever before, government needs well-trained and effective workers. At Commerce, we do a wide variety of things that serve both businesses and consumers: We promote U.S. exports. We issue patents for new inventions. We oversee the Census, the National Weather Service, and cutting-edge labs at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

We have close to 45,000 employees, and I am impressed every day with their dedication to their work. Many of them have multiple job options outside government, but they choose to work inside government because – among other things – they believe that government helps people and they want to make sure it works effectively.

And there are success stories every day. In fact, just yesterday, Commerce Secretary John Bryson had the opportunity to recognize 41 U.S. companies and organizations that have made significant contributions to increasing American exports. Receiving the President’s “E” Awards, these organizations, 35 of which were small or medium-sized enterprises, contribute to the President’s National Export Initiative (NEI) goal of doubling U.S. exports in order to support American jobs.

Whether their degrees are in science, public policy or communications, I encouraged those who feel a calling toward public service to consider their options in government. I congratulate this year’s graduates at UMBC and hope that they will find ways to make the world just a little better place through their work and their careers.

Rebecca M. Blank is the Deputy Secretary of Commerce

Just Plain Wrong: House Republican Bill Undermines the Violence Against Women Act

Valerie Jarrett — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:02:18 +0000

The passage of the Violence Against Women Act nearly two decades ago was an historic moment for America's women and girls. The law gave women new legal protections that help ensure their safety.

Last month, Democratic and Republican Senators came together to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. The bill they approved would address the high rates of domestic violence committed against Native American women, ensure that LGBT victims have access to services, and make college campuses safer places to live and study.

This is in keeping with the tradition of the Violence Against Women Act, which puts women's safety above partisan politics. Through its bipartisan vote, the Senate not only acted to preserve the original bill -- they improved it, protecting even more women from violence and abuse.

Read the full post at The Huffington Post

Valerie Jarrett is Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement

STEM Women All-Stars Hit the Road

Lauren Andersen — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 17:43:15 +0000

Girls in Santa Barbara, CA take a break from learning about oceanography during a visit with Dr. Jane Lubchenco, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Photo Courtesy of NOAA)

Last week, at the release of the White House Girls in STEM video, some of the Nation’s top women scientists and engineers took a break from their daily responsibilities at the heights of Federal, private, and academic science and technology enterprises to urge girls to open their minds to careers in these fields. Their voices joined a chorus of women across the country who are making it part of their mission to inspire students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Over the past few months, students from Santa Barbara, California to Miami, Florida have played hosts to some unusual substitute teachers, as senior women scientists and engineers from the highest levels of the Obama Administration hit the road as part of the Women in STEM Speakers Bureau roundtable series.

Designed to spark the interest of middle and high-school girls in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects, the Women in STEM Speakers Bureau was launched by the White House Council on Women and Girls and Office of Science and Technology Policy in September of last year. Over the past seven months, outstanding STEM rolemodels from nine Federal agencies have signed on to participate in the program, inspiring girls and boys alike with their own personal stories and insights.

In Santa Barbara this past March, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, wowed Girls, Inc students with not only her tales of becoming the first woman to serve in that post, but also with props and squid!

Dr. Jane Lubchenco demonstrates an ocean explorer’s toolkit to students in Santa Barbara, CA. (Photo courtesy of NOAA)

Similarly, Dr. Karina Edmonds, Technology Transfer Coordinator at the US Deparment of Energy, traveled to both Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA to share her story of how, as an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, she pursued her interest in mechanical engineering to become the first full-time staffer ever appointed to her current position.

Karina Edmonds, Technology Transfer Coordinator for the Department of Energy, meets with girls from the University of San Francisco Upward Bound Math and Science Program. (Photo courtesy of USF Upward Bound Math and Science Program)

These recent appearances complemented many previous roundtables, like Dr. Elisabeth Hagen’s (Undersecretary for Food Safety at the US Department of Agriculture) visit to Harrisburg, PA in January – a trip that began a groundswell of enthusiasm ending in a modest grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to fund Saturday Girls STEM Acadmies in the area – or Dr. Cora Marrett, Deputy Director of the National Science Foundation’s events in St. Louis and Jackson, MS.

Collectively, these roundtables open up possibilities to students that may have never considered critical careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.

But these women are not lone sources of inspiration– parents, teachers, professionals, researchers, and other enthusiasts can encourage girls to stretch their interests and pursue paths in which today, they are sorely underrepresented. Sites like MentorNet and FabFems aim to make being a STEM role model easy. Let’s maintain momentum and ring in next year’s women’s history month, with a year of inspiring girls in these exciting fields.

For more information on the Women in STEM Roundtable, or other Administration efforts to increase the participation of women and girls in STEM, please visit www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/women.

Dr. Cora Marrett, Deputy Director of the National Science Foundation, learns about a student’s project in St. Louis. (Photo courtesy of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri)

Lauren Andersen is a Policy Advisor in the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Watch and Engage: Girls in STEM

Ari Isaacman Astles — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 22:22:05 +0000

Women and girls continue to be significantly underrepresented in the STEM fields – a trend that starts early and comes at a serious cost to both the career prospects of our young women and the success of our economy. By ensuring women and girls receive the exposure, encouragement, and support they need to enter and succeed in STEM fields, this country can benefit from the full range and diversity of its talent.

The White House Council on Women and Girls is excited to announce a White House event that features a panel of trailblazing women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields who will share their experiences and encourage young women to follow in their footsteps – or blaze a trail of their own. Watch the event live at www.wh.gov/live tomorrow, Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 10:30am ET. During the event, panelists will answer questions from a live audience and also take questions submitted online. Ask your questions here or on Twitter using the hashtag #GirlsInSTEM.

This event will also include the very first public screening of “Girls in STEM,” a video on girls in STEM, featuring footage from girls who participated in the 2012 White House Science Fair.

Event Agenda:

10:30-10:35am: Remarks by EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson
10:35-10:45am: Premiere of “Girls in STEM” video, featuring girls who participated in the 2012 White House Science Fair
10:45-11:30am: Panel on Women and Girls in STEM moderated by Administrator Jackson and featuring the following panelists:
- Dr. Cady Coleman, NASA Astronaut, Colonel, U.S. Air Force, retired
- Jocelyn Goldfein, Director of Engineering, Facebook
- Dr. Jean Hernandez, President, Edmonds Community College
- Bianca Bailey, President, Howard University Chapter of Engineers Without Borders

The White House is committed to proving opportunities for all students to engage in STEM. Below is a photograph from the second White House Science Fair that recognized achievements in STEM from across the country.

President Barack Obama hosts the second White House Science Fair celebrating the student winners of a broad range of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions from across the country. The President talked with Samantha Garvey, 18, of Bay Shore, N.Y., about her environmental sciences project examining the effect of physical environment and predators on a specific species of mussel, in the State Dining Room of the White House, Feb. 7, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Commerce Deputy Secretary Blank Speaks on the Role of Innovation in the U.S. Economy

Rebecca Blank — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:00:16 +0000

Ed. note: This is cross-posted from Commerce.gov

I recently had the honor of addressing an annual conference on innovation, sponsored by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of how the economy works. Today’s event, entitled “Innovation Policy and the Economy,” provided an opportunity to discuss one of the most important contributors to America’s long-term competitiveness: innovation.

America’s entrepreneurs, businesses, and workers are the primary source of new ideas that drive innovation. Patents, trademarks, and copyrights – the main protections in our intellectual property (IP) system – are critical tools that help commercialize game-changing ideas. By creating a better environment for our private sector to capitalize on those ideas, IP protections help foster the innovation and creativity that lead to a stronger economy and the creation of more, good-paying jobs. Last week, I helped release a report co-produced with my colleagues in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on the role of IP in the economy. The report shows that nearly 35 percent of our GDP – more than $5 trillion – comes from IP-intensive industries. We also found that IP-intensive industries support a total of about 40 million jobs. These findings demonstrate that IP protections aren’t just important for businesses and entrepreneurs; they are important for working families. Clearly, making sure that we adequately protect intellectual property is vital to maintaining America’s competitive edge and driving our overall prosperity.

But while private citizens and businesses are the primary source of new ideas, the government plays a key role in the effort to support innovation. At the Commerce Department, we work to support innovation and protect intellectual property on many fronts, including through the implementation of the America Invents Act, which is designed to modernize and streamline the U.S. patent process.

The U.S. government also has a proud tradition of supporting the work of federal and university labs in conducting basic research and development, which is key to generating new ideas that historically have helped shape and change the world as we know it. If you look at some of the most important recent new technologies – from flat-panel displays to semiconductors to wireless ultrasound for rural healthcare – they were deeply reliant, at an early stage, on research funded by wisely-spent tax dollars. President Obama is working to double government dollars in basic R&D support at several key agencies.

Innovation is key to economic growth and productivity. Since the 1940s, two-thirds of our economic growth is due to growing productivity that results from innovation. Just yesterday, our Chief Economist, Mark Doms, announced that retail sales had increased 0.8 percent in March following multiple consecutive months of gains. Many of these sales result from consumers’ desire to buy new and innovative products.

Today, along with the rest of the administration, we are also marking National Equal Pay Day, which marks how far into this year women must work to match what men earned in the previous year. President Obama is committed to securing equal pay for equal work. Working women are at the heart of an America built to last. Equal pay will strengthen our families, grow our economy, and enable the best ideas and boldest innovations to flourish – regardless of the innovator's gender. Only with policies that support innovation can we build the basis for a 21st century economy that allows American businesses to flourish in an increasingly competitive global market.

Securing Equal Pay

Cecilia Muñoz — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 16:25:26 +0000

Today – Tuesday, April 17 – is Equal Pay Day, which marks the fact that, nearly 50 years since President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the average woman still has to work well into the calendar year to earn what the average man earned last year. According to the latest U.S. Census statistics, on average, full-time working women earned 77 cents to every dollar earned by men, and the gap is significantly more for women of color. This substantial gap is more than a mere statistic. It has real-life consequences. Women, who compose nearly half of the workforce, are bringing home 23 percent less than their male counterparts – which means less for families’ everyday needs, less for investments in our children’s futures, and, when added up over a lifetime of work, substantially less for retirement.

President Obama understands how much this issue impacts our nation’s economic well-being, and that’s why, from his earliest days in office, he has been committed to closing the pay gap. Today, in conjunction with Equal Pay Day, we are proud to announce the following additional initiatives:

First, the White House released the Equal Pay Task Force Accomplishments Report: Fighting for Fair Pay in the Workplace. The Equal Pay Task Force (“Task Force”), which the President established in 2010, brings together the best expertise of professionals at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor and the Office of Personnel Management, who work daily to combat pay discrimination in the workplace. Since the Task Force’s creation, enforcement actions have increased; the government has recovered unprecedented monetary recoveries for women seeking their fair share for performing the same work as men; and investments in outreach to both employers and employees are paying big dividends. The report details the significant progress that the Task Force has made to fight pay discrimination – including improving inter-agency coordination and collaboration to ensure that the full weight of the federal government is focused on closing the gender pay gap once and for all. I commend the professionals who represent the member agencies on the Task Force for the extraordinary work they and their teams undertake each day to realize the President’s directive.
Second, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced the winners of the “Equal Pay App Challenge.” In January of this year, the Department of Labor, in conjunction with the Equal Pay Task Force, launched this challenge – inviting software developers to use publicly available data and resources to create applications that provide greater access to pay data organized by gender, race, and ethnicity; provide interactive tools for early career coaching or online mentoring; or provide data to help inform pay negotiations. A solution to the pay gap has been elusive, in part because access to basic information – e.g., typical salary ranges and skill level requirements for particular positions, advice on how to negotiate appropriate pay – is limited. Because of the enthusiastic response to the “Equal Pay App Challenge” and the creative apps that were developed, anyone with a smartphone, tablet or computer can access answers to these basic, but important, questions. This challenge represents just one more way that women can empower themselves with the tools they need to make sure they get equal pay for equal work.
Finally, in our ongoing effort to educate employees and employers about their rights and responsibilities under our nation’s equal pay laws, the Department of Labor today published two brochures that will educate employees regarding their rights under the existing equal pay laws and enable employers to understand their obligations.

Today’s actions build on progress already underway by this Administration in the fight for equal pay. The very first bill that President Obama signed into law was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which extended the time period in which claimants can bring pay discrimination claims and, in the process, enabled countless victims of pay discrimination to seek redress where they previously could not. In 2010, the President pledged to crack down on violations of equal pay laws and, that same year, established the Task Force. And in his 2012 State of the Union address, the President unequivocally reaffirmed his commitment to securing equal pay for equal work when he said, “. . . an economy built to last is one where we encourage the talent and ingenuity of every person in this country. That means women should earn equal pay for equal work.” Under the President’s leadership, this Administration has made significant progress to bridge the gender pay gap, but our work is far from complete. When every woman gets the pay that she deserves – equal pay for equal work – families flourish, communities thrive, and our nation prospers. It’s a matter of fair play, and we must do all that we can to make it right.

White House Forum on Women and the Economy

Valerie Jarrett — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 21:37:32 +0000

President Barack Obama delivers remarks at the “White House Forum on Women and the Economy” in Eisenhower Executive Office Building South Court Auditorium, April 6, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

This morning, I had the privilege of attending the White House Forum on Women and the Economy. We hosted nearly 200 women from all over the country to join in a conversation about the critical role that women play in driving our economic progress. We also released a report that details a wide range of policies, programs, and legislative initiatives under the Obama Administration that are supporting women and girls at all stages of their lives and careers. President Obama also attended the forum, and he said, “When it comes to our efforts on behalf of women and girls, I’m proud of the accomplishments we can point to. Yes, we’ve got more to do. But there’s no doubt we have begun to make progress.” I am also proud of our accomplishments and look forward to continuing the important work we are doing to promote the interests of women and girls across the country and around the world.

My remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.

Good morning.

It is my pleasure to welcome you to our White House Forum on Women and the Economy. I am delighted to see so many familiar faces in the audience. We have an extraordinary array of accomplished women and a few good and brave men. You represent a wide range of stakeholders from all across our country. You are the trailblazers and innovators that drive our country, and you have the insight and vision that we need to create an economy that’s built to last. A number of you have worked closely with us throughout the last few years and deserve a lot of credit for many of our accomplishments. I’d also like to thank members of the President’s Cabinet for joining us today, and for your exceptional service. And finally, welcome to those of you who are watching online. We will stream today’s whole forum, including breakout sessions.

I am so proud to be the chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls and to join Tina in leading this important initiative.

When President Obama created the Council in early 2009, he said, and I quote, “It is up to us to ensure that our daughters and grand-daughters have no limits on their dreams, and no obstacles to their achievements.” His executive order ensured that the Council would include representatives of every single government agency. A first for any president. I’d like to ask all of the members of the Council who are here to stand and be recognized.

By creating the White House Council on Women and Girls, the President set a tone from the top ensuring that the advancement of women and girls is a top priority of his administration. At the same time, President Obama has taken historic steps to appoint more women to the highest levels of public service, reflecting the diversity of this country. Not only has he appointed women to key positions, but also empowered them to drive critical policy, promoting the interests of women and girls both at home and abroad.

You will hear during today’s forum how these policies have significantly improved the lives of women and girls and helped grow our economy.

Now, we all understand that so-called “women’s issues” do not only affect women. Women make up a majority of students in our colleges and an even larger percentage in graduates schools, are nearly half of the workforce, and are breadwinners for a growing number of families. So, it is clear that the success of American women is critical to the success and sustainability of our families, communities, and the national economy. However, challenges still remain. For example, women still only earn 77 cents on the dollar compared to men. And women of color face an even larger discrepancy.

Today, we are releasing a report that illustrates the Obama Administration’s commitment to tearing down barriers that women face in the workplace, and the marketplace, in order to drive America forward. And for those of you watching online, you can find the report at whitehouse.gov

The Obama Administration has helped create more security and opportunity for American women at every stage of their lives and careers, beginning with our girls. For example, the President’s innovative Race to the Top competition rewards schools that take steps to close the gap between girls and boys in classes that prepare them for careers in science, technology, engineering, and math, “STEM,” as we call it.

It was such a pleasure for me to visit a Council of Women and Girls event at NASA and see local high school girls exposed to the magic of space exploration. And to be with the President when he welcomed into the Oval Office the three winners of the International Google Science Fair competition, all American girls. We are determined to help girls discover and develop their passion for careers in STEM fields.

Because of President Obama’s leadership, millions more female students can afford to go to college thanks to increased funding for Pell Grants. The President’s commitment to funding community colleges is helping so many women secure the training they need for high-skill jobs of the future. And women in their early twenties, including my own daughter for a few months, are able to receive coverage under their parents’ health insurance plans because of the Affordable Care Act.

President Obama has also taken critical steps to help working women, whether they are fighting for equal pay or flexibility in the workplace, starting a new business, seeking protection at home, or staying healthy, which includes receiving preventive care, and, yes, contraception. And, for seniors, help with the cost of prescription drugs and strengthening Medicare and Social Security.

In ways large and small, we see the impact of the Obama administration’s historic efforts to promote the interests of women, day in and day out. For the first time, a lesbian service-member and her partner were recognized when they attended a White House dinner in honor of ending the Iraq War. For the first time, there are three women sitting on the Supreme Court, including the first Latina. For the first time, there is a female four star general in the US Air Force. For the first time, there is a woman directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and a woman in charge of the US Geological Survey. And for the first time, there are women serving aboard US submarines. By the way, I am glad there are women out there who have the skills to crew a submarine because, as cool as it sounds, you sure wouldn’t want me down there running the controls. I look forward to the firsts that we will continue to achieve.

I’ll close by sharing the story of Jackie Bray, of North Carolina. I met Jackie when the First Lady invited her to watch the President’s State of the Union Address in January. Jackie is a single mom, and she was laid off from her job a year ago. But because of her ambition and determination, she enrolled at community college and mastered new skills like laser training and robotics. She successfully landed a job as a machine operator. After attending the President’s speech, Jackie said, and I quote, “"I'm just a girl who had a really big dream to work for the most amazing company on the planet, and I'm living that dream every day, and I can't explain how much it means to me.”

Jackie’s story reminds us why our work is so important. We know that there is still a lot to be done, and women will be a critical part of driving the country forward. This morning, we will highlight how the Obama Administration has improved the economic security of women and their families. And we will chart our course for the hard work that remains ahead of us.

Now, it’s my pleasure to introduce, first, the moderator of this morning’s panel. As I’m sure you know, Mika Brzezinski is a co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe. [She keeps me calm each morning while Joe tries so hard to raise my blood pressure.] Mika’s recent book, Knowing Your Value, is a must-read for women in the workplace. She is an outstanding role model, helping women stand up for themselves and recognize their own contributions. Please welcome Mika.

Joining Mika are some of the most impassioned advocates for America’s working women. Joe Echaverria, the CEO of DeLoitte, which is one of the corporate leaders in creating women-friendly workplaces. Karen Mills, the President’s Small Business Administrator, who is celebrating her third anniversary with the Administration today. Gene Sperling, the Director of the President’s National Economic Council who helped launch 10,000 Women at Goldman Sachs. And Ceci Rouse, Princeton economist and former member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors. Thank you all for joining us this morning.

Valerie Jarrett is a Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama. She is also the Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls

Watch and Engage: White House Forum on Women and the Economy

Tina Tchen — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:17:46 +0000

Today, more than ever before, women are a driving force behind the success of the American economy. Expanding economic opportunities for women and ending discriminatory practices is critical to building an economy that restores security for middle class families, one where hard work and responsibility are rewarded, and where everyone who wants to can find a good job.

This Friday, April 6th, the White House Council on Women and Girls is hosting a Forum on Women and the Economy. President Obama will deliver remarks at the Forum to highlight ways the Administration has helped create economic security for women and recognizes that women are key to economic growth and competitiveness. Starting at 8:30 a.m. EDT, the half-day forum will also include a panel discussion with Senior Administration officials, followed by breakout sessions on: Women at Work, Education, Health, Women’s Entrepreneurship, and Violence Against Women and Girls (check out the complete Forum schedule below).

People from across the country can watch the event live at www.wh.gov/live. During the Forum, Administration officials will answer questions from a live audience and also take questions submitted through a form on WhiteHouse.gov and via Twitter with the hashtag #WomenEconForum.

Here's how you can participate:

Right now, you can ask the White House your questions about women and the economy through a web form or on Twitter with the hashtag #WomenEconForum
On Friday, April 6th from 8:45 a.m. EDT to 12:30 p.m. EDT watch the forum live at wh.gov/live. President Obama will deliver remarks at 10:15 a.m. EDT.
Join the discussion live on Twitter and follow what others are saying with the hashtag #WomenEconForum
If you miss the live event, the full video will be posted on WhiteHouse.gov

We hope you can join us. Here's the full schedule:

8:45AM-8:55AM: Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls Valerie Jarrett delivers opening remarks
8:55AM-9:50AM: Women and the Economy Panel
- Moderator: Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC’s Morning Joe
- Panelists: Director of the National Economic Council Gene Sperling; Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Karen Mills; CEO of Deloitte Joe Echevarria; Princeton University Lawrence and Shirley Katzman and Lewis and Anna Ernst Professor in the Economics of Education and Professor of Economics and Public Affairs, Cecilia Rouse.
10:15AM-10:30AM: President Obama delivers remarks
10:45AM-11:45AM: Breakout Sessions
- Education Breakout: Moderated by Director of the Domestic Policy Council, Cecilia Munoz and President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Shirley Ann Jackson
- Women at Work Breakout: Moderated by Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Katharine Abraham, Member of the Council of Economic Advisors
- Women’s Entrepreneurship Breakout: Moderated by Treasury Under Secretary for Domestic Finance Mary Miller and Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls Tina Tchen
- Healthcare Breakout: Moderated by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Deputy Assistant to the President on Health Policy Jeanne Lambrew
- Violence Against Women and Girls Breakout: Moderated by Attorney General Eric Holder and White House Advisor on Domestic Violence Lynn Rosenthal
12:00PM-12:30PM: Closing Plenary with online Q&A. Ask questions on Twitter with the hashtag #WomenEconForum or through a form on WhiteHouse.gov.

The Next Step in Combatting the Spread of HIV/AIDS Among Women and Girls

Tina Tchen — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:08:28 +0000

As the Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls, it is my honor to join Dr. Grant Colfax, Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy and Lynn Rosenthal, the White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, in announcing the next step in President Obama’s commitment to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS amongst women and girls. Please read on for more details.

There are approximately 1.2 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States, including more than 290,000 women. Black and Hispanic women account for nearly three-quarters of new HIV infections among women. In July 2010, President Obama launched the first National HIV/AIDS Strategy to provide a coordinated national response to fight the epidemic, with the goals of reducing new infections, improving health outcomes, and decreasing HIV-related health disparities. This past World AIDS Day, the President said that “When black women feel forgotten, even though they account for most of the new cases among women, then we’ve got to do more." President Obama was joined by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in a call to our partners—including government stakeholders at all levels, healthcare professionals, and HIV/AIDS service providers—to unite in an effort to usher in an “AIDS-free generation.” To reach this goal, it is clear we must address HIV among women, particularly among women of color.

As directed in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, Federal agencies are collaborating in new ways. We are embracing scientific findings to implement evidenced-based prevention methods in order to be more effective at preventing new HIV infections, and we are exploring new approaches to integrate prevention and care. As part of this ongoing collaborative approach, President Obama has issued a presidential memorandum establishing an inter-agency working group on the intersection of HIV/AIDS, violence against women and girls, and gender-related health disparities. The President has asked Lynn Rosenthal, the White House Advisor on Violence Against Womenand Dr. Grant Colfax, the Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, to serve as co-chairs.

The working group will include representatives from the Departments of Justice, Interior, Health and Human Services, Education, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and the Office of Management and Budget. We will also tap the wealth of expertise and experience of members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. In addition, representatives from the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, and the Gender Technical Working Group from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), will share lessons learned and evidence-based best practices based on the global experience.

When we address the domestic public health threat of HIV/AIDS, we cannot ignore the detrimental effects of gender-based violence and gender-related health disparities, particularly within underserved communities. The Administration commemorated this year’s National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by hosting a White House event to highlight how these intersecting factors contribute to poor health outcomes among women and girls. The meeting included expert panel discussions; announcements regarding several domestic and global initiatives; and dialogues with community members. The President’s directive builds upon the momentum generated at the meeting. It commits to an ongoing Federal effort to address the intersection of HIV/AIDS, violence against women, and gender-related health disparities through applying evidence-based strategies, engaging families and communities, supporting research and data collection, and mobilizing both public- and private-sector resources.

For details on the mission and function of the Working Group, please see the Presidential Memorandum.

Tina Tchen is Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and Executive Director of the Council on Women and Girls.

The Affordable Care Act Protects Women’s Health

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 19:04:45 +0000

Almost two years ago, the president signed the Affordable Care Act. Today the new law is giving millions of families the security that comes with knowing their health care will be there for them when they need it. And the law is helping women address many of the challenges they have faced getting the care they need.

Some of these benefits will take effect over the next few years, but many of them are already helping women lead healthier lives. Senior citizens like Norma Byrne of Vineland, N.J., have already seen that the new Affordable Care Act makes prescription drugs more affordable. Norma used to have to dip into her food budget to help pay for her medications because of the so-called donut hole. In 2010, just like other senior citizens with high drug spending, she received a $250 rebate check, which helped defray those costs. In 2011, thanks to the new law, she was one of nearly 2 million women who received a 50 percent discount on their brand-name prescription drugs.

Read the full post at The Daily Beast

Valerie B. Jarrett is a Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama. She is also the Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Got Questions about Women in Science, Tech, Engineering, or Math (STEM)? Tweet Us!

Gloria B. Smith — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 16:42:57 +0000

Ed. note: This is cross-posted from Energy.gov

Jobs in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields are high-paying, innovation-driven, and mission-essential. Yet while women have half of all jobs in the U.S. economy, 76 percent of STEM jobs are held by men. This gap has been seen throughout the past decade. We need to take a close look at the gender disparity in these fields that are so critical to completing the mission of the Department of Energy, and encourage and support women to take part in STEM positions.

Join us for a conversation about women in STEM on Twitter on Thursday, March 22 at 2:30pm EDT by following the hashtag #STEM.

You'll be able to ask experts how we can advance women's education and empowerment to bring women into STEM careers.

The Energy Department (@ENERGY) will host this conversation with resident experts Patricia Hoffman, our Assistant Secretary for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, and Dr. Karina Edmonds, the Technology Transfer Coordinator. The Department of Education ( @edpartners ) will join the conversation with Reverend Brenda Girton-Mitchell, Director of the Office of Faith Based and Community Partnerships.

You can send us your questions before or during the event via Twitter to @Energy using hashtag #STEM or by email to diversity@hq.doe.gov

Gloria B. Smith is the Deputy Director of Diversity Inclusion at the Department of Energy.

Ask Your Question: National Equal Pay Task Force

Miriam Vogel — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:02:46 +0000

Since his first days in office, President Obama has pushed for pay equality between women and men in the work force. It was just over three years ago when the President signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to help combat pay discrimination by extending the period in which to make a claim. The President is committed to securing equal pay for equal work because American families and the health of our nation’s economy depends up on it.

On average, women make 23 cents less on each dollar earned by their male counterpart, and this disparity grows further for women of color and women with disabilities. This reduced salary results in lesser benefits for women and their families at a time when nearly two thirds of families depend on a female breadwinner. The President wants to close this pay gap once and for all.

In 2010, the President created the National Equal Pay Task Force, which brings together the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to identify and address challenges to gender pay disparities. The Task Force has worked diligently and has made significant gains. Task Force members have increased enforcement of equal pay laws, improved efficiency and efficacy by enhancing federal inter-agency collaboration and ensured that workers are better educated on their right to equal pay while employers are better educated on how to provide it.

We want to provide you with the opportunity to meet our Equal Pay Task Force members and ask them questions about their efforts in connection to and involvement with the Task Force. Please visit the webform and submit your question on or before March 19th, 2012 at 5pm.

We will share your questions with Task Force members who will answer a selection of them via video responses that will be available here on Whitehouse.gov. We look forward to hearing from you.

To be sure you find out when we issue our video responses, sign up to receive email updates from the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Let’s Stop Counting: A Word on Women at the Treasury Department

Kate Harris — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:00:03 +0000

Ed. note: This is cross-posted from Treasury Notes.

While the fields of economics and finance continue to be heavily represented by men, Treasury’s history reminds us that women have been, and continue to be, important leaders in shaping economic policy. This is particularly noteworthy at a moment in U.S. history when the rules of the financial sector are being rewritten and technology is changing the way our economy functions.

Women’s History Month is a time to recognize these achievements and to consider how far we have come from an era when women were not afforded the training or opportunities to serve their nation in this capacity. President Obama’s Administration has set the record for the most women serving in Senate-confirmed positions at the Treasury Department since its establishment in 1789.

Today, seven key positions at Treasury are held by women, including:

Lael Brainard, the Under Secretary for International Affairs, and the first woman in Treasury’s history to hold this position. In the 1990s, Brainard served as the first woman U.S. Sherpa to the Group of Eight. At Secretary Geithner’s direction, Brainard has been leading U.S. efforts to encourage Europe to strengthen its crisis response.
Mary Miller, the Assistant Secretary for Financial Markets, who has been nominated by President Obama to be Under Secretary for Domestic Finance. Miller currently manages the world’s largest securities market and oversees all U.S. borrowing.
Janice Eberly, the Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy, and only the second woman to serve in this role. As Treasury’s Chief Economist, Eberly is responsible for assisting in the determination of appropriate economic policies and has played an important role in reframing the debate around economic uncertainty.
Leslie Ireland, the Assistant Secretary for Intelligence & Analysis. Ireland is responsible for the analysis of intelligence used to safeguard the international financial system from abuse and to combat threats to U.S. national security. Prior to her role at Treasury, Ireland was the Daily Intelligence Briefer to the President.
Marisa Lago, the Assistant Secretary for International Markets & Development. Lago represents the U.S. in a number of international fora that oversee global financial regulatory reform and multilateral development.
Jenni LeCompte, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs. For the past three years, LeCompte has been advising the Secretary and the Department on how to communicate with, and engage the public on, issues that include fiscal policy, the global recovery from the crisis and the drive for financial reform.
Rosie Rios, the Treasurer of the United States, a position which has been held by a woman since 1949. Rios has direct oversight over currency and coin production and advises the Secretary on issues of community development and public engagement.

These women are part of a long tradition of women serving their country in various roles at the Treasury Department. The first woman to hold a Senate-confirmed position at Treasury was Josephine Roche under President Roosevelt in the 1930s. Roche served as Assistant Secretary of Public Health, which was housed in Treasury until 1939. Bette Anderson was the first woman to serve as an Under Secretary for Administration and Enforcement Operations at Treasury (1977-1981), appointed by President Carter. There have also been three female General Counsels of Treasury since the office was created in 1934: Edith Holiday (1988-1990), Jeanne Archibald (1990-1992), and Jean Hansen (1993-1994). Edith Holiday was later appointed Secretary to the President’s Cabinet under President Bush.

I feel privileged to work with and learn from all of the talented women, serving at all levels, within the Department. I would be remiss to exclude the accomplished men working at Treasury, who along with their female colleagues, have served as champions of, and mentors to, women in this field.

Today, we celebrate this record number of women at Treasury. But I hope that soon, we can stop counting altogether.

Many thanks to Abby Gilbert at the U.S. Mint for her help in compiling this list and her diligent attention to preserving Treasury’s history.

Kate Harris is a Policy Advisor and Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions at the United States Department of the Treasury.

Acting Deputy Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank Highlights Administration’s Gender Equality Efforts on Trip to Switzerland

Rebecca Blank — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:38:05 +0000

Ed. note: This is cross-posted from The Commerce Blog

It is tradition in March to celebrate Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the changing role of women in society and their social, economic and political achievements. From the ballot box to the boardroom, today’s American women have paved the way for future generations by overcoming obstacles on their path to equality and empowerment.

It was with this message that President Obama commemorated March Women’s History Month last week, saying, “We cannot rest until our mothers, sisters, and daughters assume their rightful place as full participants in a secure, prosperous, and just society.”

The Obama administration is dedicated to helping blaze this trail. This week, I had the opportunity to speak about the administration’s work to support women–and particularly the evolving economic role of women in American society–during a visit to Bern, Switzerland. President Obama has fought for American women by leading the administration’s fight to combat discrimination in the workplace and supporting women-owned businesses. The president has also taken concrete steps to ensure that women’s voices are heard throughout government and society, appointing two women to the U.S. Supreme Court and a strong team of women leaders to the Cabinet and White House staff.

I began my trip by helping unveil a study by the George Washington University Global Women’s Initiative titled, “Gender Equality in Employment: Policies and Practices in Switzerland and the US,” which features a comparative analysis of Swiss and U.S. gender workplace issues. The study echoes findings from a report (PDF) I worked on for the White House Council on Women and Girls last year. Designed to help inform Washington policy decisions, it was the first comprehensive Federal report on the status of American women in almost 50 years. President Obama created the Council in 2009 to coordinate Federal efforts to support women in America.

While in Bern, I also delivered an opening address at the conference entitled “Sister Republics Building Bridges 2012: An Action Plan for Women’s Leadership,” which gathered Swiss and American women leaders to talk about gender equality in the workplace. In my remarks, I discussed the progress made toward gender equality in the U.S., notably in the areas of education and labor force participation. As an example, women in the U.S. have not only caught up with men in college attendance, but younger women are now more likely than younger men to have a college or a graduate degree. Women are also working more, which means that, more than ever, women are often the breadwinners in many American families.

Despite that progress, women in our workforce still face challenges. One such hurdle can be seen in wage disparities–an American woman on average still only earn about 77 cents for every dollar earned by a man. Women also represent only 30 percent of business owners in the U.S. and their firms tend to be smaller, generating only 11 percent of all revenue from privately-owned businesses.

Expanding economic opportunities for women offers vital potential in rebuilding a strong American economy. That’s why President Obama has signed legislation that gives women more tools to fight discrimination in the workplace, greatly expanded access to finance for women-owned businesses and worked to provide tax credits for working families. Other administration efforts to reduce gender disparities include promoting workplace flexibility efforts, ensuring fair labor standards for in-home care workers and increasing access to and improve early childhood programs.

Following the conference, governments around the world yesterday acknowledged International Women’s Day, a global day of recognition and celebration honoring the advancement of women and highlighting remaining challenges to equality. This administration has pledged continued collaboration with partners at home and abroad on new initiatives to bring economic and political opportunity to women everywhere.

As President Obama stated in his proclamation honoring both Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day: “From securing women’s health and safety to leveling the playing field and ensuring women have full and fair access to opportunity in the 21st century, we are making deep and lasting investments in the future of all Americans.”

Rebecca Blank is Acting Deputy Commerce Secretary.

Happy 101st Anniversary of International Women’s Day!

Tina Tchen — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 18:59:27 +0000

Yesterday I was excited to return to the International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony at the State Department here in Washington, D.C. These awards honor the critical role women are playing in growing economies and in contributing to peace and stability. Recipients included “Women of Courage” from across the globe who have overcome adversity, and in turn stood up and fought for social justice, human rights and the advancement of women. There was an incredible level of energy and support in the room, and I was humbled to be among these phenomenal women. I was also joined by women I admire deeply: First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer, First Lady Ernestina Naadu Mills of Ghana, and First Lady Vanda Pignato of El Salvador.

Two Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, Leymah Gbowee of Liberia and Tawakkul Karman of Yemen, spoke at the ceremony, and their words captivated the room. Gbowee realized during Liberia’s second civil war that it is women who bear the greatest burden in prolonged conflicts. She was a pivotal activist in the peace movement, organizing Christian and Muslim women to demonstrate together, and organizing for the Liberian Mass Action for Peace. Known as the “iron woman” and the “mother of the revolution,” Karman is a journalist and human rights activist who has long championed democracy and women’s rights in Yemen, co-founding “Women Journalists Without Chains.” She was among the first to participate and help organize the opposition protests in Yemen. Together, Gbowee and Karmanchallenged everyone to continue to work for women’s rights around the world.

While I listened to the stories of these “Women of Courage,” I was particularly moved by Samar Badawi, a human rights activist in Saudi Arabia and Jineth Bedoya Lima, a journalist in Colombia. These women work on issues that so many of us take for granted, such as women’s suffrage and journalistic freedoms. Samar Badawi lives in one of the world’s most restrictive environments for women. Saudi Arabia has a guardianship system in place, which means that women cannot marry, work, or travel without the permission of a guardian (who is a male relative). In a remarkable landmark case, Badawi herself sued her guardian (her father) for abusing the legal system and preventing her from marrying the suitor of her choice… and she won.

Secretary of State Clinton has cited achievements like Badawi’s and how, “We have made enormous progress in recent history. In the last year alone, women have marched, blogged, tweeted, and risked their lives all in the name of dignity, rights, and opportunity.” Badawi was also the first woman to sue the government and demand the right for women to vote and participate in municipal elections, thereafter launching an online campaign to encourage other Saudi women to file similar suits. Thereafter, a royal decree was issued, allowing women to vote and run for office in future municipal elections. This is just the beginning for Saudi women rights, and surely not the last we have seen of Samar Badawi, who showed how launching an online campaign led all the way to women being able to vote and run for election in Saudi Arabia.

Instigative journalist Jineth Bedoya Limahas also responded to adversity with activism and media in her country of Colombia. While covering a story 12 years ago, Bedoya arrived at a prison to interview a key paramilitary member about an arms struggling network. But, upon arrival, she was kidnapped, drugged, gang raped, and told, “Pay attention. We are sending a message to the press in Colombia.” Instead, Bedoya did not back down. She continued to work as an investigative journalist andhas even taken her case all the way to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, seeking justice not just for herself, but for women across her country. Bedoya is now a spokeswoman of Oxfam’s campaign, “Rape and Other Violence: Take my Body out of the War.” Once physically and emotionally deterred from continuing her vital work as a journalist, Bedoya is using her journalistic influence to draw more attention to the issues of sexual violence and impunity.

Repeatedly during the ceremony, I heard stories like Samar Badawi's and Jineth Bedoya’s— of women who have become an inspiration for all women who are demanding justice in their own cases.

As the First Lady poignantly noted in her remarks at the awards ceremony, Jineth is sending her own message that “she will not back down, she will not give up, and she will never, ever allow her voice to be silenced. It is the same message that these women are sending with every act of courage they commit – the message that injustice will not stand, that inequality will not be tolerated, and that they will not stay silent in the face of evil. To all those who are oppressed and abused and left behind – they are saying, ‘I am standing with you. I am fighting for you. You are not alone.’”

The progress has been monumental, but our work is far from over. And as the President recently noted in a statement in honor of International Women’s Day: “We are committed to a future in which our daughters and sons have equal opportunities to thrive, because when women succeed, communities and countries succeed… On this day, and every day, we stand with the women and men who bravely champion dignity, freedom, and opportunity for all.”

This is what the Council on Women and Girls strives to do every day. We will continually fight alongside these admirable women to help them expose the truth, obtain women’s suffrage and journalistic freedoms, run for office, and ensure that the voices of women all around the world are spoken and heard. We envision women to become champions in their causes, in turn empowering themselves and elevating their communities.

Tina Tchen is Assistant to the President, Chief of Staff to the First Lady, and Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls.

First Lady Michelle Obama Speaks at the International Women of Courage Awards

Hallie Schneir — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:59:21 +0000

First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks at the International Women of Courage Awards ceremony at the State Department in Washington, D.C., March 8, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Sonya N. Hebert)

Earlier today, First Lady Michelle Obama spoke at the International Women of Courage Awards at the Department of State. Please see below for her remarks, and don’t forget to check out President Obama’s 2012 Proclamation on Women’s History Month.

Thank you. Thank you so much. Good morning, everyone. To say it is a pleasure to be here with all of you today would be an understatement. This is truly an important opportunity, it is an uplifting opportunity, and I am happy to be a part of it every single year.

And I have to start by thanking Secretary Clinton not just for that very kind introduction, but she has been an outstanding -- should I say that again? -- an outstanding Secretary of State. And she has been an inspiration to women and girls around the world. She is a role model for me in so many ways. I don't think she realizes how what she has done has made what I am doing partially possible. So with all the respect and admiration that I can give to her, I will be wherever she needs me to be, whenever she needs me to be there.

I also want to join in recognizing our special guest, First Lady Mills, who is a dear friend. We enjoyed our visit to Ghana. And she is going to have a productive stay here in Washington, so she's going to be busy. Just take it easy. And of course, Secretary Vanda Pignato, who is a dear friend as well. We are honored to have you with us as well. I also want to thank them for taking the time to be here today. It means so much to us all for you to be here.

I have to thank Ambassador Melanne Verveer for her terrific work she is doing -- what she is doing for -- for Global Women’s Issues. This event is top-notch, and it wouldn't happen if not for her. We are so grateful.

And of course, I want to recognize most of all the ten Women of Courage that we're honoring here today. These women come from all different corners of the globe. They have taken very different journeys to this moment. But they are all here today because somewhere along the line, they decided they could no longer accept the world as it is. And they committed themselves to fighting for the world as they know it should be. They saw corruption, and they worked to expose it. They saw oppression, and they worked to end it. They saw violence, poverty, discrimination, and inequality -- and they decided to use their voices, and risk their lives, to do something about it.

And day after day, these women have stood up and said the things that no one else could say, or would say. Year after year, they endured hardships that few of us could bear.

At the age of 22, Zin Mar Aungwas imprisoned for 11 years simply for writing a letter demanding that the elected civilian government take power in Burma. When she was freed, she went right back to work, fighting for the rights of women and ethnic minorities and political prisoners.

Shad Begum founded a women’s NGO in Pakistan, and she ran for district council. When she won, she intended to use her position to improve health care and education. But when the council met, she was forced to sit in a separate side room, behind a locked door. The microphone that was supposed to allow her to participate never worked. But undeterred, she decided to run for an even higher elected office, saying -- and this is her quote -- “Whatever it takes, I will make them hear me.”

And then there is Jineth Bedoya Lima, an investigative journalist in Colombia. Back in 2000, when she was writing about an arms struggling [sic] network, she was kidnapped, brutally assaulted for hours by those who wished to silence her. But instead of backing down, she moved from her regional newspaper to a national one, and despite continued threats against her life, she kept reporting. She became a spokeswoman for a global campaign against sexual violence. And for 12 years, she’s fought to hold her attackers responsible for their crimes.

She has even taken her case all the way to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, seeking justice not just for herself, but for women across her country.

And that is why, despite the risks they face, despite the hardships they endure, these women carry on -- because they know that they are fighting not just for their own rights and freedoms, but for the rights and freedoms of so many others. That is why, despite daunting physical obstacles, Safak Pavey didn’t just win a seat in parliament in her own country; she traveled to countries across the globe, winning support for the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. She lives her life by a simple motto -- these are her words: “Whatever you experience is an example to others.” Whatever you experience is an example to others.

The same can be said of Pricilla de Oliveira Azevedo. Despite being one of just a few women in the Rio de Janeiro military police, she has risen through the ranks, commanding more than 100 male officers. We love that. Working in one of the toughest communities in the city and even arresting a gang of criminals who kidnapped her. Women of all ages have been inspired by her leadership, and of them she says -- again a quote -- “They see me as an example of the fact that any woman can work in any type of activity. It’s just a question of wanting to do it.”

And that is why each year we invite young people to join us at this event. It is so important because we want them to learn from and be inspired by the example of these women of courage.

We invite them because we want them -- we want to say to them and to boys and girls across America that if, despite all the obstacles these women of courage face, if they are still running for office and running organizations and serving their communities and their countries, then surely you can find a way to follow your dreams. Surely, you can find a way to give back to your community and to your country. If these 10 women can endure death threats and horrifying violence and years behind bars to stand up for what they believe in, then surely our young people can find a way to stand up for what they believe in. Surely, all of you can overcome the obstacles you face in your own life.

And I’m thinking particularly of Jineth Bedoya Lima and what she endured on that day 12 years ago. As her attackers assaulted her, they said to her, “Pay attention. We’re sending a message to the press in Colombia.” Well, today, with every story she writes and with every public appearance she makes, Jineth is sending her own message that she will not back down, that she will not give up, and she will never, ever allow her voice to be silenced.

And it is the same message that all of these women are sending with every act of courage they commit -– the message that injustice will not stand, that inequality will not be tolerated, and that they will not stay silenced in the face of evil.

And to all of those who are oppressed and abused and left out and left behind, they are saying: I am standing with you. I am fighting for you. You are not alone.

And on this International Women’s Day, that is the very message I wish to send to these 10 women and others like them in every corner of the globe.

On behalf of my husband and our country, I want you to know that you are never, ever alone. The United States of America stands with you. And we are so incredibly proud of everything that you have achieved. And we will continue to fight with you for the causes to which you have devoted your lives.

So thank you all so much. Enjoy this day. Congratulations. God bless. Now, before I sit down, I have one important honor. I get to introduce two more women of courage who have received the highest honor for their work –- our 2011 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman. Please, let’s welcome them to the stage.

Hallie Schneir is an Associate Director in the Office of Public Engagement

Inclusive Development: USAID’s New Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy

Ambassador Donald Steinberg — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:19:31 +0000

There are moments that make you proud. Proud to work in an Administration led by President Obama and Secretary Clinton who have made gender equality a top priority. Last week was one of those times.

Last year USAID Administrator Shah and I established a task team to craft a new policy on gender quality and female empowerment, the Agency’s first in 30 years. I am proud to say that USAID released that policy, achieving great strides and reaffirming our commitment to close the gender gap in international development.

The goal of this policy is to improve the lives of citizens around the world by advancing equality between females and males, and empowering women and girls to participate fully in and benefit from the development of their societies.

USAID has long recognized that drawing on the full contributions of women is key achieving better, inclusive, and more sustainable results. That’s why we’re integrating gender equality and female empowerment into the very DNA of everything we do. From Presidential initiatives like Feed the Future (FtF), the Global Health Initiative (GHI), and Global Climate Change to the full range of the Agency’s programs, we are ensuring that gender is not just being included, but fully incorporated. Eliminating gender bias and empowering women isn’t just a question of fairness or equity: it’s simply good business practice.

Building on the Agency’s decades of experience, this policy will assist us in increasingly including women and girls as leaders, implementers, and beneficiaries; provideguidance on pursuing more effective, evidence-based investments in gender equality and female empowerment; build partnerships across a broad range of stakeholders; harness science and technology to tackle challenges; and address unique and complex issues in crisis and conflict-affected environments.

We have achieved a lot in the past year, delivering on promises. USAID created a new policy on Counter-Trafficking Persons, building on our Code of Conduct that holds USAID employees and our partners to the highest standards of behavior; we worked closely with the White House a National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace, and Security, a major Administration effort, and we are working hard to put an implementation plan in place in the coming months. We’ve also created a comprehensive list of indicators that will hold USAID accountable for progress, requiring gender assessments aspart of all country strategies, policies and programs.

As we focus on these actions, we are also committed to holding ourselves accountable by setting comprehensive and time-measurable goals. We’re also pledging to aggressively monitor, evaluate, and learn from our challenges and successes.

Most importantly, we are committed to involving women themselves in every step of this process. In preparing this policy, we drew on the wisdom, ground truth, and guidance of women in the United States and developing countries, from civil society, governments, and the private sector. In implementing the policy, we will be equally committed to inclusive development, involving not just women, but disabled persons, the LGBT community, youth, and displaced and indigenous groups in the decisions that affect their lives. The watchwords from now on must be, “Nothing about us without us.”

Ambassador Donald Steinberg is a Deputy Administrator at USAID.

Women's History Month Proclamation

Valerie Jarrett — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:47:40 +0000

As Chair of the Council on Women and Girls, I’m proud to post the president’s proclamation in honor of Women's History Month 2012:

As Americans, ours is a legacy of bold independence and passionate belief in fairness and justice for all. For generations, this intrepid spirit has driven women pioneers to challenge injustices and shatter ceilings in pursuit of full and enduring equality. During Women's History Month, we commemorate their struggles, celebrate centuries of progress, and reaffirm our steadfast commitment to the rights, security, and dignity of women in America and around the world.

We see the arc of the American story in the dynamic women who shaped our present and the groundbreaking girls who will steer our future. Fifty-one years ago, when former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt confronted President John F. Kennedy about the lack of women in government, he appointed her the head of a commission to address the status of women in America and the discrimination they routinely faced. Though the former First Lady passed away before the commission finished its work, its report would spur action across our country and galvanize a movement toward true gender parity. Our Nation stands stronger for that righteous struggle, and last March my Administration was proud to release the first comprehensive Federal report on the status of American women since President Kennedy's commission in 1963. Today, women serve as leaders throughout industry, civil society, and government, and their outstanding achievements affirm to our daughters and sons that no dream is beyond their reach.

While we have made great strides toward equality, we cannot rest until our mothers, sisters, and daughters assume their rightful place as full participants in a secure, prosperous, and just society. With the leadership of the White House Council on Women and Girls, my Administration is advancing gender equality by promoting workplace flexibility, striving to bring more women into math and science professions, and fighting for equal pay for equal work. We are combating violence against women by revising an antiquated definition of rape and harnessing the latest technology to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, and sexual assault. From securing women's health and safety to leveling the playing field and ensuring women have full and fair access to opportunity in the 21st century, we are making deep and lasting investments in the future of all Americans.

Because the peace and security of nations around the globe depend upon the education and advancement of women and girls, my Administration has placed their perspectives and needs at the heart of our foreign policy. Last December, I released the first United States National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security to help ensure women play an equal role in peace-building worldwide. By fully integrating women's voices into peace processes and our work to prevent conflict, protect civilians, and deliver humanitarian assistance, the United States is bringing effective support to women in areas of conflict and improving the chances for lasting peace. In the months ahead, my Administration will continue to collaborate with domestic and international partners on new initiatives to bring economic and political opportunity to women at home and abroad.

During Women's History Month, we recall that the pioneering legacy of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers is revealed not only in our museums and history books, but also in the fierce determination and limitless potential of our daughters and granddaughters. As we make headway on the crucial issues of our time, let the courageous vision championed by women of past generations inspire us to defend the dreams and opportunities of those to come.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 2012 as Women's History Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month and to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, 2012, with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that honor the history, accomplishments, and contributions of American women. I also invite all Americans to visit www.WomensHistoryMonth.gov to learn more about the generations of women who have shaped our history.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

Valerie Jarrett is a Senior Advisor to the President and Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls

A Good Day

Sarah Mendelson — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 16:04:57 +0000

I’ve been working in the field of combating trafficking in persons (C-TIP) for over a decade. In this arena, where people are bought and sold as chattel, there are a lot of bad days. Still, over the past ten years, I’ve seen brave shelter directors take on traffickers, despite threats of violence. I’ve seen trafficking victims overcome incredible hardship and go on to help other survivors. I’ve seen diplomats take a stand and say, enough, we are not going to look the other way. And I’ve seen NGOs, together with policy makers, fight to get laws adopted that literally change the lives of people.

Those are the good days, where we need to take stock and celebrate. Today is one of those days.

This morning, the Administrator of USAID, Dr. Rajiv Shah, launched the Agency’s new Counter-Trafficking in Persons Policy.

In line with President Obama’s Presidential Policy Directive on Global Development and under the leadership of Secretary Clinton, this policy will draw on the best practices from the last decade -- providing guidance on pursuing more effective, efficient, and evidence-based approaches in counter-trafficking.

The main drivers of trafficking are linked to the development challenges USAID tackles every day around the world, including gender discrimination, tenuous rule of law, limited education and lack of jobs. Since 2001, USAID has programmed $163.3 million on C-TIP and is one of the world’s largest donors in this field.

The policy focuses on helping USAID make the most impact with each dollar we invest in C-TIP. We want to take advantage of our comparative advantage working in prevention and protection, and we want to use our Missions in the field to support state-of –the- art work. We have champions around the globe who do amazing work, and we want to be able to emulate their successes and learn from their challenges. We want to create new partnerships, and use 21^st century technology and innovation to be able to bring to scale best practices.

We still have a lot of work to do. Recent estimates of the number of people enslaved in sex or labor exploitation range from 12 to 27 million. However, by launching this policy, USAID is poised to be a catalytic partner with NGOs, the private sector, and with local governments. We look forward to that collaboration.

This policy launch comes after a year of listening and talking to experts in this field, of consultations both inside and outside USAID. It is their hard work and commitment that we celebrate today. I am very grateful for days like today, and for the privilege of being able to do this work for the Administration and President Obama at this critical time. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work on this issue with so many deeply committed colleagues and capable partners.

Sarah Mendelson, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict & Humanitarian Assistance, USAID.

Career-Life Balance Fair continues to promote flexible workplaces for America’s Scientists and engineers

Wanda E. Ward — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:46:00 +0000

In order to maintain global leadership in science and engineering (S&E), as well as promote economic prosperity and national security, America must develop its own domestic scientific talent at a pace similar to other nations worldwide.

In science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, women are earning an ever-larger share of doctoral degrees- 41 percent in 2009, compared to 38 percent in 2004. Yet, their representation in full-time tenured faculty positions - only 29 percent in 2008 - is not keeping pace. For women of color, the proportion is even lower, constituting only 6 percent of tenured faculty. Family characteristics – including marital status and presence of children – are directly related to this diminished chance of earning tenure, with unmarried women making significant gains over their married female colleagues throughout the last four decades.

To address these challenges the National Science Foundation’s Career-Life Balance (CLB) Initiative—an ambitious, ten-year initiative launched by First Lady Michelle Obama and NSF Director Dr. Subra Suresh in September—will build on the best of family-friendly practices among individual NSF programs to expand them to activities NSF-wide. By the end of this ten-year initiative (2021), it is expected that women will represent 41 percent of newly tenured doctoral S&E faculty, and that women of color will compromise 17 percent of newly tenured faculty, the same percentage of their PhD production rate in 2009.

As part of this comprehensive effort to move forward as OneNSF, the Foundation hosted a Career-Life Balance Fair during the week of January 16 for its employees, highlighting many programs and activities NSF currently offers in support of family-friendliness. Information and activities at the fair included how to become a teleworker; communication tools to support virtual meetings; health unit programs (including blood pressure screenings); and fitness center programs (including nutrition information), to name a few.

The fair was accompanied by a series of week-long events intended to kick-off an on-going campaign supporting career-life balance for all NSF employees. Events included a discussion where NSF employees served as panelists, sharing their personal experiences of juggling personal and career commitments with their colleagues, and the launch of an effort enabling employees to openly share ideas about how NSF can further promote an agency culture that supports career-life balance.

And these efforts are just the beginning. Coming up in spring 2012, the Career-Life Balance Initiative will bring together young scientists and engineers, leading national experts, higher education leaders, and professional associations and societies to address key research, policy, and practice on career-life balance issues.

Under NSF leadership, these communities are heeding the President’s call to fill our Nation’s shortage of innovators, tinkerers, and dreamers by creating environments in which they can thrive.

Wanda E. Ward is a Senior Advisor to the Director of the National Science Foundation.

Love is Respect: February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

Susan B. Carbon — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:51:23 +0000

Editor's Note: This blog has been cross-posted from the Department of Justice blog.

Regardless of the day or month, many teens – including college students – often find themselves in unhealthy, sometimes abusive relationships that affect their quality of life, cause pain and concern among their families and friends, and interfere with school and community activities. Now is the time to learn about ways to recognize and prevent this violence.

During February, designated as Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, we join President Obama to call for a focused effort to break the cycle of violence by providing support and services to the victims, their families and their communities. As President Obama stated:

The consequences of dating violence — spanning impaired development to physical harm — pose a threat to the health and well-being of teens across our Nation, and it is essential we come together to break the cycle of violence that burdens too many of our sons and daughters. This month, we recommit to providing critical support and services for victims of dating violence and empowering teens with the tools to cultivate healthy, respectful relationships.

In one year, nearly one in ten high school students has been hit, slapped or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend. And young people ages 18 and 19 experience the highest rates of stalking, which most often is committed by a current or former intimate partner for both male and female victims. The prevalence of violence in the dating relationships of teens is simply unacceptable.

We know that to reach young people, we need to speak their language. With that idea in mind, OVW is supporting outreach and education efforts by educators, advocates, and non-profits, including the That’s Not Cool.com, a national public education campaign that uses digital examples of controlling, pressuring, and threatening behavior to raise awareness about and prevent teen dating abuse. OVW also funds the National Dating Abuse Helpline at 1-866-331-9474. Teens can also text “loveis” to 77054 to reach an advocate or chat on line by clicking on the icon found on loveisrespect.org.

We must continue to advocate for the young people in our lives by providing safe spaces to have conversations about dating abuse and provide examples of healthy, violence-free relationships that include support, love and respect. Only by continuing to engage in discussions on these challenging and difficult issues can we call attention to teen dating violence. This is the first step towards preventing and ending the cycle of abuse. The resources listed in the President’s proclamation and in this blog are important resources that should be used, shared and discussed during February and throughout the year.

For more information about the Office on Violence Against Women, visit www.ovw.usdoj.gov. We remind all those in need of assistance, or other concerned friends and individuals, to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE.

Susan B. Carbon is the Director of the United States Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).

Senate Judiciary Committee Passes Violence Against Women Act

Lynn Rosenthal — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:43:39 +0000

On February 2, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Even though VAWA has a bipartisan group of co-sponsors, the eight Republicans on the committee voted against this critical piece of legislation. Now the Act goes to the full Senate for consideration.

First authored by then Senator Biden in 1994, VAWA provides funding to states and local communities to improve the criminal justice response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. VAWA supports specialized law enforcement units to investigate these crimes and helps prosecutors get dangerous offenders off the streets. VAWA also protects victims living in subsidized housing from being evicted after suffering domestic violence, supports training for health care providers, and brings help to victims in rural areas of the country. The hallmark of VAWA is the coordinated community response, bringing different agencies together to create a seamless approach to combating violence.

One day’s look at the headlines tells us why we still need VAWA. Domestic violence often spills into streets, workplaces, and communities, and is estimated to cost our nation 8 billion dollars a year in lost productivity and health care costs. This violence causes more than two million injuries each year, three deaths each day, and untold amounts of suffering to women. The hidden crime of stalking affects 1 in 6 women and 1 in 19 men, and sexual assault remains the most underreported violent crime in the country. 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men have been sexually assaulted at some time in their lives, most before the age of 18.

It's fitting that the Senate Judiciary Committee took up VAWA during Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month, because teens and young adults are at THE highest risk for this violence. The proposed legislation provides funding to schools, youth groups, and victim service agencies to develop new strategies to intervene in and prevent dating violence and sexual assault. If we can stop violence in this generation, some day we won’t need these services. But today, the need is still urgent. We need the full Senate to approve VAWA reauthorization and for Congress to send this legislation to President Obama to sign into law this year.

Women and Girls Council and the 2013 Budget

Francesca L. de Quesada — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:52:53 +0000

President Obama laid out a blueprint in his State of the Union address for an economy that’s built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values. The President released a budget that illustrates how we put that blueprint to work.

Yesterday in his message to Congress, the President explained that we are in a make-or-break moment for the middle class, and for all those who are fighting to get there. The Budget targets scarce federal resources to the areas critical to growing the economy and restoring middle-class security: education and skills for American workers, innovation and manufacturing, clean energy, and infrastructure. It is built around the idea that our country does best when everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.

To construct an economy that is built to last and provide security for women and girls, the 2013 Budget will:

Support Evidence-Based Teen Pregnancy Prevention.
Strengthen Efforts to Combat Violence Against Women.
Strengthen Anti-Discrimination Enforcement
Improve Health Care Services for Women Veterans.
Give Every American a Fair Shot at Success by Improving and Reforming K-12 Education.
Expand Access to College.
Support Women-Owned Businesses.
Help States Provide Paid Family Leave to Workers.
Prevent Hunger and Improve Nutrition.
Ensure that Workers Receive the Pay and Benefits to which they are Entitled
Promote Affordable Homeownership
Support Responsible Homeowners and Help Them Stay in Their Homes
Extend Expanded Tax Cuts for Working Families
Maintain Affordable High-Quality Primary and Preventive Care
Revitalize Distressed Urban Neighborhoods
Invest in Regional and Community Planning Efforts for Sustainable Development.

Read more about how the President’s 2013 budget will help women and girls HERE.

Securing Equal Pay? There (Should Be) an App for That!

Valerie Jarrett — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:03:52 +0000

“An economy built to last is one where we encourage the talent and ingenuity of every person in this country. That means women should earn equal pay for equal work.“ - President Barack Obama, 2012 State of the Union Address

Last week, the Obama Administration launched the Equal Pay App Challenge. We’re inviting software developers to help women ensure that they’re being paid fairly – which in turn will help restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.

Right now, if you’re a woman in the workforce, it can be surprisingly difficult to answer basic questions about equal pay: what’s the typical salary for someone in your position? Should you be asking for more at the negotiating table? What are your fundamental legal rights?

When the Equal Pay App Challenge is over, you’ll have information that helps you answer these questions, available right on your smartphone or computer. We believe that the same types of innovations that help you find movie times or get a great deal at a restaurant can help you protect your rights in the workforce.

The App Challenge is just the latest in a series of steps the Obama Administration has taken to secure a woman’s right to equal pay for equal work. From the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the very first bill President Obama signed into law, to the creation of the National Equal Pay Task Force, to his continued support of the Paycheck Fairness Act, the President has helped address a gender pay gap that remains far too high.

He has taken these steps because he knows that they help all Americans – both women and men. Today, mothers are the primary- or co-breadwinners in over two-thirds of American families. When women earn only 77 cents for every dollar men earn, as they do today, entire families suffer.

But the opposite is also true. When women have a fair shot to see their hard work pay off, families benefit. When women succeed, America succeeds.

President Obama envisions an America where his daughters are never limited by their gender. That vision is not yet a reality, and we still have a long way to go. But if we work together – and we invite America’s most creative innovators to join us in tackling this challenge – then I am confident that we will get there.

Valerie Jarrett is Senior White House Advisor and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Relations and Public Liaison. She is also the Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Raising Awareness About Stalking

Lynn Rosenthal — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:28:12 +0000

January is Stalking Awareness Month, and it’s an important to highlight a crime that is often invisible. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 6 women and 1 in 19 men will be stalked in their lifetimes. Young women ages 18-19 experience the highest rates of stalking. The fears, threats and intimidation endured by victims is often felt by family members as well.

To mark this important month, this week we hosted the first ever White House stalking roundtable with survivors, law enforcement officers, victim advocates, and researchers. We learned from law enforcement experts that while many victims are stalked by ex-partners, others can be stalked by acquaintances and even strangers. Stalkers often track their victims’ daily lives and make themselves known in ways that are scary and unpredictable. Stalking can force victims to change everything about their lives in order to be safe.

I commend the bravery of two survivors who shared their stories. One woman was stalked by an ex-husband while another was stalked over a long period of time by someone she barely knew. Both were terrorized through cyber stalking and a range of strategies designed to keep them on constant edge and make them feel afraid every day. The stalking extended to family members and children, making it even more terrifying. Their stories put a human face on the statistics and helped us understand the true personal cost of stalking.

We are taking steps across the federal government to combat stalking as well as dating violence and sexual assault. The Apps Against Abuse challenge sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services resulted in two mobile apps that can help protect against dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. These Apps can be used to stay in touch with your friends and call for help if you need it. The next step is to improve research on stalking and learn more about what victims need to be safe. Most importantly, we need to raise awareness about this hidden crime.

See the National Stalking Awareness Month Proclamation here.

Lynn Rosenthal is the White House Advisor on Violence Against Women

A Shining Example from the Sunshine State

Taryn Tuss — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:56:25 +0000

Editor's Note: This blog has been cross-posted from the Council on Environmental Quality Blog.

This week, CEQ Chair Nancy Sutley joined Mayor Jeri Muoio in West Palm Beach to tour Northboro Elementary School – a recently modernized LEED Gold certified school that's gaining attention as a model for smart investment in sustainability. Northboro is a great example of how investing in modernization helps schools direct money to their classrooms instead of their energy bills. The elementary school has saved more than 16 percent in energy costs -- enough to pay for at least one teacher each year -- through upgrades including advanced lighting and ventilation systems.

Schools spend more than $6 billion annually on their energy bills -- more than they spend on computers and textbooks combined. The average public school building in the United States is more than 40 years old, and many struggle with old, inefficient, or broken heating and cooling systems and a host of other challenges, from crumbling roofs to outdated textbooks. As the President said: "We can't expect American kids to do their best in places that are falling apart. This is America. Every kid deserves a great school -- and we can give it to them." That's why, in the American Jobs Act, the President proposed a $25 billion investment in school infrastructure to modernize at least 35,000 public schools across the country. The funds would provide for a range of emergency repair and renovation projects, energy efficiency upgrades, asbestos abatement and removal, new science and computer labs, and internet-ready classrooms – and put 16,000 Americans back to work making those upgrades.

Modernizing our schools makes sense for American students, and makes sense for schools' bottom lines. Northboro Elementary is a clear example of how this investment would create jobs, improve classrooms, and bring our schools into the 21st century.

Chair Nancy Sutley meets with school leadership at Northboro Elementary School in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Taryn Tuss is Acting Communications Director at the White House Council on Environmental Quality

A “Shining” Example of American Innovation

Avra Siegel — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:44:03 +0000

On December 8^th, the President hosted first board meeting of the Startup America Partnership at the White House. The Startup America Partnership is a nonprofit alliance of entrepreneurs, major corporations, and service providers committing private-sector resources to accelerate the growth of new companies. The Partnership, led by iconic entrepreneurs like Steve Case (AOL) and Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn), was launched earlier this year in response to the President’s call to action to dramatically increase the success of America’s high-growth entrepreneurs. New startup businesses create most of the net new jobs each year, in every industry and all across the country.

Startup America Partnership Board Member Lynn Jurich, President and Co-Founder of Sunrun Inc., reflects on her experience as an entrepreneur:

On December 8^th I was honored to attend a meeting with President Obama and fellow members of the Founding Board of the Startup American Partnership. Aligned with Obama’s Startup America initiative, the Startup America Partnership’s mission is to help entrepreneurs start and scale their companies to accelerate job growth in the U.S. I have vivid memories of what it’s like to be in the early stages of starting a company and value the opportunity to help other entrepreneurs succeed through my participation on the Board. Also, as a woman entrepreneur in an industry where most executives and founders are males, I welcome the opportunity to mentor other females. Successful women entrepreneurs are still less common in the business world and I hope my work at SunRun serves as an inspiring and educational example.

My entrepreneurial story is rooted in a quest to shake up the energy industry: SunRun co-founder Edward Fenster and I invented a way for Americans to go solar without spending $30,000 or more on panels. SunRun owns, installs and maintains the panels and homeowners make low, fixed monthly payments for clean energy. In California this solar power service concept is becoming the most popular way to go solar – about 60 percent of families choose this option over purchasing a system for cash. This model didn’t even exist before 2007 so it’s exciting for me to see the success we’ve achieved in such a short time. For example, our partner network now employs over 3,000 workers across ten states and SunRun invested over $200 million in labor this year.

Energy attracted me immediately because I have a passion for solving messy problems. Our current energy infrastructure is antiquated – if Thomas Edison came back today he’d understand how it works – and to revamp it we need clean, scalable, and safe solutions that are also affordable. And to get solar in the hands of more Americans we must make it a smart financial decision. I call this Pocketbook Environmentalism; A Pocketbook Environmentalist goes green primarily because it makes good financial sense, but likes the fact that their purchase benefits the environment.

Americans shouldn’t have to compromise to go green, especially in this economy. Green consumer products can only become mainstream if businesses make the right environmental choice a financial no-brainer, and that is SunRun’s focus. This concept of making your service or product financially appealing to a target audience is often what will make or break an aspiring entrepreneur.

So far our approach has paid off: SunRun installs over $1.5 million in solar every day. We added 80 employees at our San Francisco headquarters this year and our partner network across ten states is 3,000-strong and growing. Solar power service is also helping extend solar to more median income zip codes. Two-thirds of solar projects in California are in zip codes with median incomes of less than $85K. In New Jersey the statistics are even stronger: about 75% of projects in zip codes with median annual incomes of less than $84K. Demand for solar panels is also coming from a more economically and politically diverse range of cities. For every family in liberal San Francisco that went solar with SunRun in 2010, nearly eight families in more conservative Fresno made the switch.

Innovation in America helps us build new industries to boost the economy, and I’m excited to further this effort in 2012 with the Startup America Partnership.

Avra Siegel is the Deputy Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls.

Mentorship: A Key to Success

Avra Siegel — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:39:06 +0000

Startup America Partnership Board Member Pamela Contag, CEO of Cygnet Biofuels and the CSO of Origen Therapeutics,reflects on her experience as an entrepreneur and the impact mentorship has had on her company’s success:

I recently joined the founding board of the Startup America Partnership, a private-sector alliance that has now mobilized over $1 billion in resources for U.S. entrepreneurs. On Dec. 8, the board met at the White House with President Obama to discuss several issues of huge importance to entrepreneurs, including access to capital, our ability to import talent and export finished goods, and mentorship.

In a later conversation with a friend about the meeting, he made a comment I’ve heard before: “People who start companies must not anticipate the hardship involved, because if they did they wouldn’t ever get started.”

I acknowledge that growing a new company can be daunting, and it’s hard to be fully prepared for all of the challenges and demands of rapid growth.

However, I think having mentors and networks changes that dynamic – giving first-time entrepreneurs a greater shot at success, and leading them to starting their second, third, or even fourth.

I know this first-hand. When I started out in Silicon Valley 15 years ago, there were so many mistakes to be made – and I made them. Then my network started forming and I acquired not one, but several mentors. Being “coachable” is something they teach in team sports, and I decided that startups were a team sport.

My first mentor, from a Fortune 500 company, taught me about financials and how to raise money. He ended up joining my company and in later years become the CEO. We are still business partners today. Other mentors gave me the heads-up about how investors think, as well as tips on navigating my relationship with a board of directors.

Springboard Enterprises is a group that took me in early in 2000, and really pushed me to continue to develop my skills, sit on other company boards, and be a mentor to others. Springboard has great connections to capital and an expert network which has helped each of my companies. I find a lot of joy in working with the great women who lead the organization. Although some days I have serious concerns that entrepreneurs are an endangered species, I am optimistic that together and with organizations like Springboard and Start-Up America we will build a start-up friendly environment.

The joy of working with smart people, dedicated to a common goal, and working on behalf of your vision and the success of your company makes it easier to forget the painful moments. Especially during the tough times, a network of trusted advisors can mean the difference between success and failure.

Avra Siegel is the Deputy Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls.