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PROCLAMATION 4236-AUG. 16, 1973

[87 STAT.

PROCLAMATION 4236

Women's Equality Day August 16, 1973

gy ffig President of the United States of America

A Proclamation usc prec. title

Fifty-three years ago, on August 26, 1920, the Nineteenth AmendHient was certified as part of our Constitution, assuring that "the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." The struggle for women's suffrage, however, was only the first step toward full and equal participation of women in our Nation's life. In recent years, we have made other giant strides by attacking sex discrimination through our laws and by paving new avenues to equal economic opportunity for women. Today, in virtually every sector of our society, women are making important contributions to the quality of American life. And yet, much still remains to be done. American women, though they represent a majority of our population, still suffer from myriad forms of discrimination.

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In the pursuit of equal rights for women, the Federal Government must take the lead and set the example. As I reminded the heads of executive departments and agencies in 1971, American women represent an important reservoir of ability and dedication which Government must draw upon to a greater degree. I therefore directed at that time that the Government demonstrate its recognition of the equality of women by making greater use of their skills. Last year, with the enactment of the Equal Employment Opportunity ^^^ ^^ 1972, a strong new statutory base was provided for furthering equal opportunity for women in the Federal Government. With the help of this new tool. Federal agencies are now carrying out affirmative action plans to guarantee full opportunity for the advancement of women in accordance with their abilities. During the past two years, the number

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