However, they are paid 77 cents for every dollar paid to men
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the first bill signed by Obama
On August 26, President Barack Obama highlighted economic inequality problems in a statement honoring Women’s Equality Day.
In 1971, the U.S. Congress designated August 26 as “Women’s Equality Day” to celebrate the ratification of the 19th Amendment which was certified on August 26, 1920. According to the Amendment, “the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex.” It is recognized as the most significant act of enfranchisement in the U.S. history. Unlike his predecessors who merely talked about the history of women’s movement and announced women-related policies, Obama discussed the current status of women and related policies in details.
In the statement, Obama said, “While women account for about 50% of all college graduates, they are only paid 77 cents for every dollar paid to men. That is why the first bill I signed was the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.” He also proudly said, “It is also why I established the White House Council on Women and Girls, reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act, and gave more women and girls the chance to live healthy and secure lives.”
White House Senior Advisor Valeri Jarrett said in the White House Blog, “This past year, I received a very special present from President Obama. He gave me an original copy of two historic documents-the ‘petition for universal suffrage,’ dated January 29, 1866; and the Congressional resolution for the 19th amendment-‘extending the right of suffrage to women,’ dated May 19, 1919.”
