ExecutiveOrdersEO
Proc 9402ProclamationObama · DCeremonial

Proclamation 9402

Women's History Month, 2016

President Obama proclaimed March 2016 as Women's History Month and called on Americans to observe it and celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, 2016. The proclamation highlights women's historical contributions, touts administration achievements on fair pay and healthcare, and promotes an upcoming White House summit on women.

Federal Register Open PDF 81 FR 11097

Impact dates

  1. White House summit on 'The United State of Women' (date unspecified in May 2016)

  2. International Women's Day observance

  3. Women's History Month begins

Key directives

  • Proclaim March 2016 as Women's History Month
  • Call upon all Americans to observe this month
  • Celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, 2016 with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities
  • Invite all Americans to visit www.WomensHistoryMonth.gov

Timeline

Immediate

  • Proclamation of March 2016 as Women's History Month

Near term (90d)

  • International Women's Day observance on March 8, 2016
  • White House summit on 'The United State of Women' in May 2016

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

  • Proclamation references pending legislative action (Paycheck Fairness Act) not yet passed, creating tension between administrative advocacy and congressional inaction
  • Mentions of 'structural barriers' and 'opportunity gaps' for women of color acknowledge unresolved inequities without binding policy to address them
Proclamation 9402: Women's History Month, 2016 · Executive Orders