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Council on Women and Girls Blog

  • "An Historic Night for Women's Sports"

    Posted by Jodi Gillette on December 22, 2010 at 11:55 AM EST

    UConn Huskies Coach Geno Auriemma Takes a Call from the President

    UConn Huskies coach Geno Auriemma takes a call from the President, December 21, 2010. (Photo credit Stephen Slade, University of Connecticut)

    Last night President Obama congratulated UCONN Huskies women’s basketball team, Coach Geno Auriemma, on winning eight-nine (89) in a row and breaking the all-time NCAA Division I basketball consecutive win record of 88 games, formerly held by the UCLA Bruins’ and coach John Wooden. Coach Auriemma and the women athletes have fought hard for their success on and off the court, and their efforts have brought them to a legendary status.

    I watched the historic game with my family, and we were elated that the Huskies Coach and athletes achieved this feat, which is giving so much deserved recognition to women's basketball.  I played basketball at Dartmouth College, and even today, women’s sports struggle for credibility and support.  This record is a huge achievement not only for UCONN, but for women’s sport in general. The Obama Administration has strengthened Title IX enforcement in order to provide equal opportunity for women athletes.

    The President takes basketball very seriously, as most people know by now.  His recognition of Coach Auriemma and his team was heartfelt and genuine.  The President also sincerely advocates for women’s sports; not only because he is the father of two wonderful daughters, but because the UCONN women’s teams are excellent role models for young people everywhere.  The Huskies are great athletes on the court, and their 100% graduation rate is further proof of the solid character and drive of the outstanding individuals who wear the Husky uniform.

    Congratulations to Coach Auriemma and the UCONN Huskies for making a place in history among the legends of college basketball and for setting such a high standard in American sports. Last night was an honorable time for basketball and a proud moment for women everywhere.

    Jodi Gillette is the Associate Director of the Office of Public Engagement, Deputy Associate Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

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  • President Obama Signs Critical Legislation to Prevent Child Abuse and Domestic Violence

    Posted by Lynn Rosenthal on December 20, 2010 at 7:05 PM EST

    President Obama Signs CAPTA

    President Barack Obama signs S. 3817, the “CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010,” (Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act) in the Oval Office,

    This afternoon, I stood in the Oval Office and watched as President Obama signed the reauthorization of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) which includes the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA.)  As he signed this crucial bill into law, the President was surrounded by Senators and Representatives, both Democrats and Republicans, and national advocates who work every day to end domestic violence and child abuse. 

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  • New Efforts to Support Working Mothers

    Posted by Valerie Jarrett on December 20, 2010 at 1:54 PM EST

    The overwhelming majority of women today choose to breastfeed their baby. Breastfeeding provides significant health benefits to children including reduced risk for sudden infant death syndrome, childhood leukemia, ear infections and childhood obesity. For mothers, breastfeeding can reduce their risk for certain cancers and diabetes. While breastfeeding is recommended for most infants, choosing to breastfeed is a personal choice and not a viable alternative for all mothers and babies. 

    Today, the White House Council on Women and Girls is announcing new efforts aimed at supporting women who choose to and are able to breastfeed. While 75 percent of women initially breastfeed their baby, after six months only 43 percent are still breastfeeding at all. One of the most common reasons mothers cite for discontinuing breastfeeding is returning to work and not having break time or a private space to express milk. Many studies have shown these types of worksite supports help women continue to breastfeed after returning to work.

    The recent Affordable Care Act includes a provision championed by Senator Merkley of Oregon that amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to require employers to provide reasonable break times and private space for nursing mothers on the job - other than a bathroom - that is shielded from view and free from intrusion to express breast milk at work, up until a child’s first birthday. 

    We know that breastfeeding provides significant health benefits. It also makes good business sense to provide accommodations for women to breastfeed or express milk at work. Several employers have experienced cost savings and increased productivity from having breastfeeding support programs because parenting employees miss fewer workdays. One-day absences to care for sick children occur more than twice as often for mothers of formula-feeding infants.  Employers can also reduce health care costs. It is estimated that for every 1,000 babies not breastfed, there are an extra 2,033 physician visits, 212 days in the hospital and 609 prescriptions. And finally, worksite lactation programs have shown to reduce employee turnover.

    Women are now nearly 50 percent of the U.S. workforce, the majority of undergraduate and graduate school enrollees, and in  two-thirds of families mothers are either the primary or co-breadwinner. A workplace that facilitates women in their roles as workers and mothers not only contributes to the health of children and families, but is imperative for the overall health and security of the American economy. We are proud to support mothers who make the decision to breastfeed and we need to do all that we can to support them.

    To learn more about what the Obama Administratoin's efforts aimed at supporting women who choose to and are able to breastfeed please read the following fact sheet: Obama Administration Actions to Support Women Who Choose to Breastfeed.

    Valerie Jarrett is a Senior Advisor to President Obama and Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls.

  • Female High School Students Can Explore Their Dream Job!

    Posted by Rebecca S. Keiser, Ph.D. on December 20, 2010 at 1:25 PM EST

    I am pleased to announce a new NASA opportunity – WISH – that is open to female high school students.  WISH stands for ‘Women in STEM High School Aerospace Scholars.’ It offers a one-of-a-kind experience that promises to jump start girls’ futures. Throughout it’s history, NASA has consistently increased mission and leadership opportunities for women. The WISH program is one way of ensuring we have more women in science and engineering to enter the NASA workforce in years to come.

    Please spread the word—female high school students can engineer their dream jobs!The adventure starts soon with an online community and culminates with a summer experience at NASA Johnson Space Center in summer 2011. I am just thrilled by this opportunity for girls to collaborate with others from across the county and with female NASA engineers and interns. Please encourage girls to get ready to start their dreams! Find out more information by sending an email to JSC-NHAS@mail.nasa.gov or visiting http://www.nasa.gov/education/wish.

    Rebecca S. Keiser, Ph.D., NASA Associate Deputy Administrator for Policy

  • Council on Women and Girls Weekly Highlights

    Posted by Maude Baggetto on December 20, 2010 at 12:45 PM EST

    Welcome to this the Council on Women and Girls’ Weekly Highlights. The Administration was involved with a range of activities with the passage of the Child Nutrition Bill and the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act last week. We also profiled an amazing woman working in the Administration Deputy Administrator at NASA Lori Garver. Read below for further details on these events, as well as other pressing issues and stories. And remember, if you have friends or family that would like to join our efforts, please have them click here.

    Read Kathleen Sebelius' Blog That Shows How Families Are Benefitting from Health Reform Law

    Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios Reflects on 2010 Highlights from the United States Treasury Department

    Lynn Rosenthal Writes About an Important Step Towards Ending Violence Against Women Around the Globe

    Read the Meet the Women of the Administration feature on Deputy Administrator at NASA Lori Garver

    Interactive Map: Check-Out Why the Compromise on Tax Cuts & Unemployment Insurance Matters

    Photostream: Look Behind-the-Scenes – Holidays at the White House 2010

    Watch Elmo’s Visit to the White House Kitchen

    Applications Period is Open Now – Apply To The White House Internship Program

     Watch Wing Week: "All These Pens"
     

  • An Important Step Towards Ending Violence Against Women Around the Globe

    Posted by Lynn Rosenthal on December 17, 2010 at 1:06 PM EST

    This week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA), taking an important step towards improving women’s lives around the world. I commend the Committee for taking action to reduce the global epidemic of domestic violence, rape, trafficking, and other crimes committed daily against women and girls.

    Across the U.S. government, we are already working towards these goals. Our Global Development Policy speaks to the importance of investing in the health, education and rights of women. Through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), we are connecting efforts to reduce gender-based violence with HIV/AIDS prevention. Secretary Clinton has pledged $17 million to address rape in the Congo, and, on the ground, USAID is training health care providers to respond to the needs of victims. As a follow-up to its Safe Schools program, USAID is working on changing attitudes and behaviors about gender-based violence among parents, teachers and students, enabling girls to remain in schools.  Through the Global Health Initiative (GHI), we are implementing a women and girls-centered approach to help partner countries improve health outcomes with a particular focus on maternal health.

    President Obama has made the treatment of women an essential part of our global vision for democracy and human rights. Last year, the U.S. led efforts to pass UN Security Council Resolution 1888, establishing a UN Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Conflict and enhancing the ability of peacekeeping missions to protect women and children from sexual violence during armed conflict. Yesterday, the UNSC passed a follow-on UNSC Resolution 1960 deepening these measures and improving how the UN system addresses sexual violence in conflict.  As a part of our global leadership on this issue, our government is also undertaking a review of its own efforts to implement UNSC Resolution 1325, which promotes the participation of women in all aspects of peace and security.

    In November, on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Vice President Biden said: “For every woman who has been beaten in her own home, for the millions of women who have been raped as a weapon of war, for every girl who has been attacked on her way to school, for all of the children - girls and boys - who have witnessed this brutality, we must do better.”  We join the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in the commitment to do better.

    Lynn Rosenthal is the White House Advisor on Violence Against Women