Archive for the ‘From The White House’ Category
Welcome to this edition of the Council on Women and Girls Weekly Highlights. This week, the President delivered an address that outlines how the United States will respond to the revolutionary acts in the Middle East and North Africa, and stressed the importance of women’s empowerment for achieving human rights in the region. In addition, The First Lady delivered the commencement address to the 2011 graduating class of Spelman College and commended them for their efforts to change the world.
Read about this, and other events throughout the Administration below. And remember, if you have friends or family who would like to join our Council on Women and Girls efforts, please have them click here.
Highlights
Moment of Opportunity: President Obama on the Middle East & North Africa
In a major speech at the State Department, President Obama laid out his vision for a new chapter in American diplomacy as calls for reform and democracy spread across the Middle East and North Africa.
President Obama at Booker T. Washington High: Commencement Challenge Winners
Booker T. Washington High School was the winner of the Race to the Top Commencement Challenge, chosen as a finalist on the basis of its inspiring turn-around story and voted the winner by the public after each finalist school submitted a video making its case. Read the President’s commencement address to learn more about BTW’s remarkable students.
The President at Coast Guard Academy Commencement: “I’ve Seen Your Devotion to Duty”
The President gave his last commencement address of the season this week at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. He walked the graduating class down memory lane of the years of tough training and thanked them for their service to our country.
President Obama Honors Jewish American Heritage: “The Jewish People Have Always Persevered”
This week, the President welcomed some of the most influential people of our time to the White House, from members of Congress and Supreme Court Justices to Elie Wiesel; Jewish Americans who have overcome adversity and have helped shape our country and the world.
Returning to Spelman with First Lady Michelle Obama
This Week, Mrs. Obama addressed the 2011 graduating class of Spelman College, a historically black liberal arts college in Atlanta for women who seek to change the world in meaningful and inspirational ways.
Do You Know Someone Like This?
This week, President Obama sent the email below to the White House email list asking for nominations for the 2011 Citizens Medal, our nation’s second highest civilian honor. This year, President Obama is looking for Americans who have performed exemplary deeds of service outside of their regular jobs and provided inspiration for others to serve.
Helping Women Advance in the Workplace
President Obama and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis have both underscored the importance of workplace flexibility to enable Americans to succeed in the workplace and at home. In accordance with this goal, the Women’s Bureau will host the New York Professional Workers National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility on Thursday, June 30. Read about this dialogue, and others held across the country.
Empowering Survivors of Domestic Violence through Financial Literacy
This week, Deputy Director of the Council on Women and Girls Jenny Kaplan had the opportunity to speak at a workshop on the intersection of financial capability and domestic violence. Read about the Administration’s efforts to help survivors of violence improve their financial well being.
National Small Business Week is Here
It’s National Small Business Week! Read the President’s Proclamation and the Administration report that outlines what the over 27 million small businesses in America and their employees can do to create jobs.
West Wing Week: “The Commencement at Booker T”
This week the President visited flood victims in Memphis,TN before speaking at the Booker T. Washington High School graduation, celebrated the Situation Room’s 50th birthday, and gave a speech on the change sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa.
Welcome to the Council on Women and Girls Weekly Highlights. This week, the President addressed the American people regarding the potential government shutdown, the result of which would be:
Eight hundred thousand federal workers and their families impacted; millions of people who are reliant on government services not getting those services — businesses, farmers, veterans; and finally, overall impact on the economy that could end up severely hampering our recovery and our ability to put people back to work.
In addition, Vice President Biden visited the University of New Hampshire to highlight the importance of ending sexual violence on college campuses. Read about this and other events throughout the Administration below.
And remember, if you have friends or family who would like to join our Council on Women and Girls efforts, please have them click here.
Highlights
President Obama on Budget Talks: What’s at Stake & Why It’s Important to the American People
In his address to the public, President Obama states of a possible government shutdown, “The economic damage from a government shutdown would mount very quickly. And the longer it dragged on, the greater the odds of a renewed recession.”
Weekly Address: Gas Prices & Energy Security
Speaking from a UPS customer center as part of the new public-private Green Fleet Partnership, the President discusses his Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future to help free us from oil and boost the American economy.
Ending Sexual Violence: One Student on One Campus at a Time
To kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Vice President Joe Biden visited the University of New Hampshire to speak to students about ending sexual violence on campus, and promoting a collective national value that condemns such violence.
Champions of Change: Lessons from Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
The White House is kicking off a special series called “Champions of Change: Winning the Future Across America.” Throughout this series we will be profiling Americans whose work is helping our country rise to the many challenges of the 21st century.
Have You Tried the Tax Cut Calculator Yet?
Last December, President Obama signed a bipartisan tax cut compromise into law. To help you understand how those tax cuts are already affecting your paycheck and your household bottom line, we’ve put together a new tax cut calculator.
Reducing Oil Imports and Competing for the Jobs of the Future
Earlier this week, President Obama visited the Gamesa Plant in Fair Hills, Pennsylvania and held a town hall discussion with workers there about building a 21st century clean energy economy.
Benefits of High Speed Rail Draw A Crowd
Since the Department of Transportation announced the availability of an additional $2.4 Billion for high-speed rail projects last month, the governors and members of Congress from both major parties have been clamoring for the opportunity to participate.
What You Missed: Open for Questions on Energy Security with Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar
On Wednesday, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and the White House’s Kalpen Modi hosted a live chat on President Obama’s Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future. Secretary Salazar took questions the audience online, which included viewers on WhiteHouse.gov/live and on Facebook, and in-person from college students from around the country who attended the event.
West Wing Week: “Windmills? Call Them Wind Turbines!”
This week, the President met with Congressional leadership, hoping to avoid a government shutdown in the face of budget disagreements. He also focused on securing our nation’s clean energy future, and kept his eye on foreign policy.
Not Your Average Facebook Invite: Join President Obama’s Town Hall @ Facebook HQ
On April 20th, President Obama heads to California to hold a very special Facebook town hall about the economy. The President will discuss the tough choices we must make to put our economy on a more responsible fiscal path, while still investing in the innovation economy that makes America more competitive.