Women in the United States
March 14, 2008 - National Women’s History Month 2008
Women’s History, Accomplishments Celebrated Every March
Washington -- In 1981, the U.S. Congress passed a resolution establishing National Women's History Week. In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month, and has since passed such a resolution every year. Congressional action is followed by a U.S. presidential proclamation declaring March as Women’s History Month.
Since its founding in 1980, the National Women’s History Project (NWHP) has recognized and celebrated the rich and varied contributions of women to the history and culture of the United States...more
December 20, 2007 - Women Setting New Records as State Supreme Court Judges
Three state judges share their experiences as leaders
Washington -- Although it has taken a long time in U.S. history, today women commonly serve on the highest courts in the country. Many of these women overcame great obstacles to achieve their positions.
The composition of the American judicial system is "very different than when I joined the court and there were all white men," said Leah Ward Sears, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia. "That is not the America I know today."
Born in Germany when her father was stationed there as an Army officer, Sears was surprised when she moved to the United States in 1955 and found that African Americans were struggling to achieve equal rights. She watched as courts ushered in sweeping civil rights changes and was inspired to attend law school. more
January 19, 2007 - First Female Speaker To Preside at State of the Union
Speaker of House one of most powerful positions in U.S. government
Washington -- When President Bush delivers his annual State of the Union address on January 23, sitting behind him will be a female speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, for the first time in American history. When President Bush delivers his annual State of the Union address on January 23, sitting behind him will be a female speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, for the first time in American history. The speaker is one of the most powerful positions in the United States government, according to Karlyn Bowman, a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. The speaker is next in line of succession to the presidency after the vice president and controls the flow of legislation in the House. Because any bill related to funding must originate in the House, the speaker, in effect, controls the purse strings of the U.S. government. more
November 17, 2006 - U.S. Midterm Elections Increase Women’s Congressional Clout
Women win record number of seats; Pelosi to be first female speaker of the House
Washington -- The election of at least 71 women to the U.S. House of Representatives -- a few more might be added when still-contested races are settled -- and 16 to the U.S. Senate in the 2006 midterm election sets a new record for women in the U.S. Congress. This display of women’s growing political power also made history by elevating the first woman to the third most important post in the U.S. government.
-- The election of at least 71 women to the U.S. House of Representatives -- a few more might be added when still-contested races are settled -- and 16 to the U.S. Senate in the 2006 midterm election sets a new record for women in the U.S. Congress. This display of women’s growing political power also made history by elevating the first woman to the third most important post in the government.
Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California and the current House minority leader, was confirmed by the Democratic Caucus November 16 as speaker of the House for the 110th Congress, which will convene in January 2007. more
August 23, 2006 - Women's Day Honors Accomplishments, Contributions
United States committed to advancing women's equality, president says 
Bush has proclaimed August 26 as Women’s Equality Day to honor the contributions and accomplishments of women in the United States.
“On Women’s Equality Day we celebrate this milestone and pay tribute to the inspiring individuals who stepped forward and asked our nation to live up to its founding principle of equality for all,” Bush said in his proclamation. more
| Archive |
Washington -- Although it has taken a long time in U.S. history, today women commonly serve on the highest courts in the country. Many of these women overcame great obstacles to achieve their positions.
The composition of the American judicial system is "very different than when I joined the court and there were all white men," said Leah Ward Sears, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia. "That is not the America I know today."
Born in Germany when her father was stationed there as an Army officer, Sears was surprised when she moved to the United States in 1955 and found that African Americans were struggling to achieve equal rights. She watched as courts ushered in sweeping civil rights changes and was inspired to attend law school
