Snap Fact #201 - President Obama Established the White House Council on Women and Girls!

Post date: May 25, 2012 12:24:56 PM

Snap Fact #201

President Obama Established the White House Council on Women and Girls!

The Rational Majority has recently focused on President Obama’s commitment to the female gender. We have looked at everything from his first law signing - the Lily Ledbetter Act (see SNAP-FACT #167) – to his family upbringing and personal commitment to the ladies in his family (see SNAP-FACT #164). 

Today we return to the issue by virtue of one more early accomplishment of the President that speaks loud and clear about his commitment to women. We have said before, don’t judge the President only by his words, judge him by his deeds.

On March 11, 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order 13506 to establish the White House Council on Women and Girls. The core purpose of this Order is to give the federal government the responsibility to ensure that all Cabinet and Cabinet-level agencies consider how their policies impact women and girls.

In particular, the council focuses on 1) ensuring economic stability for women 2) helping women balance between work and family 3) preventing and prosecuting crimes or violence against women 4) building family and 5) providing health care to women. 

"The purpose of this Council is to ensure that American women and girls are treated fairly in all matters of public policy," said President Obama. "My Administration has already made important progress toward that goal. I am proud that the first bill I signed into law was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act. But I want to be clear that issues like equal pay, family leave, child care and others are not just women’s issues, they are family issues and economic issues. Our progress in these areas is an important measure of whether we are truly fulfilling the promise of our democracy for all our people. I am confident that Valerie Jarrett and Tina Tchen will guide the Council wisely as its members address these important issues."