Council on Women & Girls: A Global Focus

Friday, September 23, 2011

Weekly Women’s Update Welcome to the Council on Women and Girls Weekly Highlights! President Obama has been traveling the country and talking about his plan to create jobs and strengthen our economy. On Thursday, the President spoke in front of the Brent Spence Bridge in Cincinnati,Ohio about the urgent need to fix America’s infrastructure. The American Jobs Act includes a $50 billion investment in much needed infrastructure enhancements which will put people to work rebuilding America. On Wednesday morning, President Obama addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations. During his speech, in which he spoke about challenges that stand in the way of lasting world peace and the imperative to overcome those challenges, the President spoke about the absolute need to help foster the economic and political participation of women and girls in all countries around the world. The President challenged world leaders to include women and girls at every level of society. “Next year,” he said, “we should each announce the steps we are taking to break down economic and political barriers that stop women and girls from reaching their full potential.” Valerie Jarrett shared a blog on the president’s speech and commitment to women and girls. A fact sheet on the President’s committment to women and girls can be found here. President Barack Obama talks with student Rebecca Hyndman before visiting classrooms at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Va., Sept. 16, 2011. Hyndman, a Senior at Thomas Jefferson, showed the President the patent she received in 2010 for her invention, Under-Floor Storage. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) This past week, we were excited to host four conference calls specifically focused on women, employment and the American Jobs Act with senior members of the Administration. We hosted calls focused on African-American Women, Women-Veterans, Women and Non-Traditional Jobs, and Latina Women. We look forward to holding additional calls in the future, and engaging with you more in the future. Please visit our website for state by state and community specific information on the American Jobs Act. Highlights We Must Stand Up for the Rights of Gays and Lesbians Everywhere On Wednesday, addressing the UN General Assembly, President Obama said, “No country should deny people their rights to freedom of speech and freedom of religion, but also no country should deny people their rights because of who they love, which is why we must stand up for the rights of gays and lesbians everywhere. Buffett Rule Facts and Fictions On Monday, the President proposed the Buffett Rule as one of five principles for comprehensive tax reform. This is a rule of simple fairness—no household making over $1 million annually should pay less in federal taxes than middle-class families pay Petition the White House with We the People Yesterday, we launched We the People on WhiteHouse.gov– a new platform that gives all Americans a way to create and sign petitions on a range of issues affecting our nation. And if a petition gathers enough online signatures, it will be reviewed by policy experts and you’ll receive an official response. Calling on a Generation to Reimagine the Future, One Student at a Time Not only do college students, graduate students, and young professionals believe – as Kennedy often put it and as President Obama has emphasized time and again – that the future is not a gift but an achievement, but they also want to act on this belief. One Million More Young Adults Have Coverage Thanks to Health Law Last week we all got some great news when the Census Bureau released data showing that 500,000 more young adults in 2010 gained health coverage thanks to a provision of the Affordable Care Act that allows young adults to stay on their parents’ plans until they turn 26. This week, we got new data and even better news – the number of young adults with health coverage has climbed even higher. First Lady Michelle Obama plays table tennis with a young participant in a Let’s Move! event at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, New York, Sept. 9, 2011. Other participants include Serena Williams, John McEnroe, James Blake and Billie Jean King. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton) Playing Tennis with First Lady Michelle Obama On the sunniest of sunny days earlier this month at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Let’s Move! was alive with action packed fun. The First Lady joined tennis greats Billie Jean King, John McEnroe, James Blake and Serena Williams in serving, lobbing and smashing tennis balls with children from the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program and the New York Junior Tennis League. The American Jobs Act and Nonprofits Domestic Policy Council Director, Melody Barnes, shared a blog on the American Jobs Act’s potential impact on Nonprofits. During these tough economic times, nonprofit organizations, both faith-based and secular, are the front-line responders to communities in need. Teaching the Leaders of Tomorrow Ed. Note: Champions of Change is a weekly initiative to highlight Americans who are making an impact in their communities and helping our country rise to meet the many challenges of the 21st century. Chris Lehmann was honored for his commitment to: “Out-innovate, out-educate, out-build” – by doing all three. Get Updates If you aren’t already receiving our email updates, sign up for our newsletter using this form. Stay Connected   Facebook Twitter YouTube Flickr iTunes Contact the White House The White House • 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW • Washington, DC 20500 • 202-456-1111