[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 3, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 3CFR7584]

Proc. 7584

Proclamation 7584 of August 23, 2002

Women's Equality Day, 2002

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

          Today, American women enjoy unprecedented opportunities in 
          business, education, politics, and countless other aspects of 
          our society. Historically, however, women suffered grave 
          inequalities and were denied some of the most fundamental 
          benefits of citizenship.
          Each year on August 26th, we mark the important anniversary of 
          the day on which women gained the right to vote. In 
          celebrating Women's Equality Day, we remember the brave and 
          determined individuals who worked to ensure that all women 
          have the opportunity to participate in our democracy. Their 
          dedication to the suffrage movement improved our society, and 
          continues to inspire women today.
          When the first Women's Rights Convention was convened in 
          Seneca Falls in 1848, women in the United States had limited 
          financial, legal, and political power. In addition to being 
          denied the right to vote, they also could not own property, 
          control their wages, or claim custody of their children.
          Courageous heroes like Carrie Chapman Catt, Alice Paul, 
          Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony refused to accept 
          women's status, and began a determined struggle to gain 
          suffrage for women. Leading active and vocal groups like the 
          National American Woman Suffrage Association and the National 
          Woman's Party, these women risked attack and arrest to 
          organize marches, boycotts, and pickets, while mobilizing an 
          influential lobbying force of millions. Finally, on August 26, 
          1920, the women's suffrage movement accomplished its goal 
          through the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the 
          Constitution, guaranteeing women the right to vote.
           In Afghanistan, the Taliban used violence and fear to deny 
          Afghan women access to education, health care, mobility, and 
          the right to vote. Our coalition has liberated Afghanistan and 
          restored fundamental human rights and

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          freedoms to Afghan women, and all the people of Afghanistan. 
          Young girls in Afghanistan are able to attend schools for the 
          first time.
          As we celebrate this day, I encourage all Americans to learn 
          about our important achievements in equality. Looking to the 
          future, we must remain diligent as we work to ensure the 
          rights of all of our citizens, and to support those who 
          struggle daily for life's basic liberties.
          NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United 
          States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by 
          the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby 
          proclaim August 26, 2002, as Women's Equality Day. I call upon 
          the people of the United States to observe this day with 
          appropriate programs and activities.
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-
          third day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, 
          and of the Independence of the United States of America the 
          two hundred and twenty-seventh.

GEORGE W. BUSH