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7338743
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Text of Remarks by the President to Be Delivered to the National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year, 1975 [Ford Speech or Statement]
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7338743
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document
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Text of Remarks by the President to Be Delivered to the National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year, 1975 [Ford Speech or Statement]
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White House Press Releases (Ford Administration)
Press Releases
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14
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1975-04-14
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4
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1975
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Digitized from Box 9 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE
AT 6:00 PM,
APRIL 14, 1975
Office of the White House Press Secretary
THE WHITE HOUSE
TEXT OF REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO BE DELIVERE TO THE
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE
OBSERVANCE OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S YEAR, 1975
THE EAST ROOM
I welcome this very talented group of women and men to the White House.
You represent a rich diversity of political and cultural backgrounds and
experience, but your common concern for upgrading the status of women
transcends differences. I am glad you are here.
Your work to promote the observance of International Women's Year begins
tomorrow. And with the broad challenge to promote equality between men
and women, you ha ve your work cut out for you -- to ensure the full partici-
pation of women in the social-economic development of this society, as
well as to recognize their contributions to the development of world peace.
Although the growing concern about the special legal and social problems
of women has paved the way for many new laws and important court decisions,
real change will depend upon the caliber and degree of enforcement. Laws
alone are not enough.
Statistics on the employment of women in federal government demonstrate
the problems that remain in assuring true equal opportunity. While nearly
one-third of all federal employees are women, only four point five percent
of the top level employees are women.
This administration recently reminded the heads of all federal departments
and agencies that strong affirmative action is needed to see that everyone
has the opportunity to compete on a fair and equal basis.
The federal government has a special opportunity to set an example --
and this we intend to do. This administration will continue to vigorously
pursue talented applicants on the basis of qualifications alone.
One of the most refreshing by-products of the search to secure rights for
women is the emphasis on freeing both sexes from restrictive stereotypes.
Liberation of the spirit opens new possibilities for the future of individual
Americans and the nation.
There are several critical areas that can benefit from your attention. One
of these is the Equal Rights Amendment, which I wholeheartedly endorse.
The debate over E-R-A has too often degenerated into frivolous non-issues.
An amendment to the Constitution calls for serious evaluation of the impact
and meaning of the proposed change.
As state legislatures convene this year, the ensuing debates over E-R
should be a vehicle to inform legislators and the public of the many complex
legal problems women still encounter.
(MORE)
-2-
Myths about the protected economic status of women can be dispelled through
serious discussion. The way can be opened for the review of areas that
will not be affected by E-R-A.
You have a challenging and critical task ahead. And you can do much to
move the nation along toward making "justice and equality" a reality for
American women.
The restrictions on the rights and responsibilities to one American affects
all of us. A nation is only as strong and creative as its citizens. The better
we use the talents of our people -- womenand men -- the brighter and
more secure the future of the Republic will be.
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