Proclamation 9402-Women's History Month, 2016
Issued 2016-02-29 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Obama issued this proclamation designating March 2016 as Women's History Month. This is a ceremonial observance that honors women's contributions throughout American history and brings national attention to ongoing challenges women face. The proclamation recognizes women who have overcome discrimination and exclusion to drive progress in civil rights, elected office, science, and other fields.
The proclamation highlights several concrete actions the Obama Administration took regarding women's equality. These include signing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to address illegal pay disparities, implementing provisions in the Affordable Care Act that prevent insurance companies from charging women more than men, and opening all military jobs to women. The administration also proposed collecting pay data from businesses to identify discrimination and signed an executive order ensuring the federal government only contracts with businesses that follow fair labor practices.
Despite this progress, the proclamation acknowledges that women still earn less on average than men and face ongoing challenges including wider opportunity gaps for women and girls of color and underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. President Obama calls on Congress to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act while noting his administration's efforts to support working families through paid leave initiatives and increased small business opportunities for women.
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Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This proclamation designates "Proclamation 9402-Women's History Month, 2016" — a ceremonial observance that brings national attention to history. Presidents have issued ceremonial proclamations since George Washington, and they fall squarely within the executive tradition. They do not create new law, direct federal spending, or impose legal obligations on citizens.
Ceremonial proclamations like this one are purely declaratory. They express the sentiment of the President on behalf of the nation, drawing public awareness to causes or communities. They require no congressional approval and face no constitutional challenges.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 Proclamation 9402—Women's History Month, 2016 February 29, 2016 By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation Throughout history, women have driven humanity forward on the path to a more equal and just society, contributing in innumerable ways to our character and progress as a people. In the face of discrimination and undue hardship, they have never given up on the promise of America: that with hard work and determination, nothing is out of reach. During Women's History Month, we remember the trailblazers of the past, including the women who are not recorded in our history books, and we honor their legacies by carrying forward the valuable lessons learned from the powerful examples they set. For too long, women were formally excluded from full participation in our society and our democracy. Because of the courage of so many bold women who dared to transcend preconceived expectations and prove they were capable of doing all that a man could do and more, advances were made, discoveries were revealed, barriers were broken, and progress triumphed. Whether serving in elected positions across America, leading groundbreaking civil rights movements, venturing into unknown frontiers, or programming revolution