Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day‏

Friday, March 16, 2012

White House Women and Girls Update:Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day   Friends – Last Thursday we celebrated International Women’s Day, an opportunity for us to recognize the incredible achievements, passions, and dreams of women and girls across the world, and reflect on the road ahead. To mark the occasion, First Lady Michelle Obama addressed the International Women of Courage Awards at the Department of State; Valerie Jarrett, Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls and Senior Advisor to President Obama, spoke to Oxfam’s Sister Ambassadors at the International Women’s Day Summit in Washington, D.C., and at the Women in the World Summit in New York City; Heather Higginbottom, the Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget writes about the President’s proposals to protect and build on the progress we’ve made when it comes to the advancement of women; and Acting Deputy Secretary Rebecca Blank highlights the Administration’s gender equality efforts in her remarks abroad. This month we are also celebrating March Madness! Check out the President’s picks for the 2012 NCAA women’s basketball tournament. Have you picked your bracket yet?Thank you for your hard work and commitment to women and girls everywhere! We hope your Women’s History Month festivities are going well! Please let us know and we look forward to hearing from you. Best Wishes, The White House Council on Women and Girls 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) Highlights from the Blog The International Women of Courage Awards:Hallie Schneir on First Lady Michelle Obama’s remarks at the International Women of Courage Awards ceremony at the State Department. NCAA women’s basketball tournament:Check out President Obama’s picks for the 2012 NCAA women’s basketball tournament. Happy 101st Anniversary of International Women’s Day!Tina Tchen speaks to her experience at the International Courage Awards ceremony. Sister Ambassadors:Valerie Jarrett on working with Oxfam to fight hunger around the world. Happy International Women’s Day!Heather Higginbottom on the President’s FY 2013 Budget, and how it supports women. Inclusive development:USAID’s new Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy. Let’s stop counting:Women at the Treasury Department. Gender equality:Acting Deputy Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank highlights Administration’s gender equality efforts on trip to Switzerland. Upcoming Opportunities Meet the members of the Equal Pay Task Force. If you have any questions about their efforts, submit your questions here. See an opportunity for change? Let America know by going to We The People and starting your own petition. We welcome your voice. Interested in public service? Apply to the White House Internship Program. Women Working to Do Good Feeding the body and mind. This week, HelloGiggles is highlighting the work of Shayla Price, and her advocacy work based around child hunger and scholarships for students. The Presidential News of the Week   West Wing Week:This week’s episode features President Obama speaking about energy and job creation in Maryland, pressing for support of advanced manufacturing, hosting Prime Minister Cameron for an Official State Visit, and the President’s trip to an NCAA game. In his weekly address,the President speaks from a factory in Virginia about how companies are creating more jobs in the United States, making better products than ever before, and how many are developing new technologies that are reducing our dependence on foreign oil and saving families money at the pump. Stay Connected For more information about ways to get involved, visit the Council on Women and Girls’ blog, and follow Jon Carson, Director of the Office of Public Engagement, on Twitter @JonCarson44.   Facebook Twitter YouTube Flickr iTunes

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