Ronald Reagan's Proclamation of Women's
History Month, 1987
by ReadWorks
women's suffrage parade in New York City, May 1912
The first proclamation of Women's History Month was signed by Ronald
Reagan in 1987. The following is the text of that proclamation.
From earliest times, women have helped shape our Nation. Historians today stress all that women
have meant to our national life, but the rest of us too should remember, with pride and gratitude, the
achievements of women throughout American history.
Those achievements span the wide range of human endeavor. They have not been attained without
the quiet courage and sacrifice of millions of women, some famed, most not. Women have
established themselves in business and the professions, and today women outnumber men as
undergraduates at our colleges and universities. Women have fought for moral and social reform and
have taken part in and led many great social and political movements of our land. Women have
founded many of our philanthropic, cultural, educational, and charitable institutions. Women have
served our Nation with valor and distinction during wartime, nursing the wounded, piloting airplanes,
performing vital jobs in defense plants. Women have forged a place for themselves in public life,
serving on the Supreme Court, in the Congress, and in Cabinet posts; becoming Ambassadors; and
holding Federal Executive posts that affect the lives of every citizen.
Most importantly, as women take part in the world of work, they also continue to embrace and nurture
the family as they have always done. All Americans can be truly grateful for the role of women as the
heart of the family and for their every accomplishment today and throughout our history.
ReadWorks.org · © 2013 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Ronald Reagan's Proclamation of Women's History Month, 1987
The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 20, has designated the month of March 1987 as "Women's
History Month" and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of
this event.
Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim
March 1987 as Women's History Month. I call upon all Americans to mark this month with appropriate
observances to honor the achievements of American women.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord
nineteen hundred and eighty-seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two
hundred and eleventh.
Excerpt from New York Times Article: Suffrage
Wins in Senate; Now Goes to States
by ReadWorks
National American Women Suffrage
Association in Washington, D.C.
Thursday, June 5, 1919
WASHINGTON, June 4 - After a long and persistent fight advocates of woman suffrage won a victory
in the Senate today when that body, by a vote of 56 to 25, adopted the Susan Anthony amendment to
the Constitution. The suffrage supporters had two more than the necessary two-thirds vote of
Senators present. Had all the Senators known to be in favor of suffrage been present the amendment
would have had 66 votes, or two more than a two-thirds vote of the entire Senate.
The amendment, having already been passed by the House, where the vote was 304 to 89, now goes
to the States for ratification, where it will be passed upon in the form in which it has been adopted by
Congress, as follows:
ReadWorks.org · © 2013 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved.
Excerpt from New York Times Article: Suffrage Wins in Senate; Now Goes to States
"Article-, Section 1. - The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied
or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
"Section 2. - Congress shall have power, by appropriate legislation, to enforce the
provisions of this article."
Leaders of the National Woman's Party announced tonight that they would at once embark upon a
campaign to obtain ratification of the amendment by the necessary three-fourths of the States so that
women might have the vote in the next Presidential election. To achieve this ratification it will be
necessary to hold special sessions of some Legislatures which otherwise would not convene until
after the Presidential election in 1920. Miss Alice Paul, Chairman of the Woman's Party, predicted that
the campaign for ratification would succeed and that women would vote for the next President.
Suffragists thronged the Senate galleries in anticipation of the final vote, and when the outcome was
announced by President Pro Tem. Cummins they broke into deafening applause. For two minutes the
demonstration went on, Senator Cummins making no effort to check it.
Based on the passages, what can be inferred about the impact of women's contributions in American history?(1 point)
Responses
Women's contributions have been largely overlooked by historians.
Women's contributions have been largely overlooked by historians.
Women's contributions have shaped and influenced the nation.
Women's contributions have shaped and influenced the nation.
Women's contributions have been insignificant compared to men's.
Women's contributions have been insignificant compared to men's.
Women's contributions have only been recognized in recent years.