The President and Mrs. Obama marked the beginning of Women’s History Month yesterday, he with the official Proclamation and she with an appearance at the Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. The Presidents message commended the passion and courage of women’s service to the country, which was echoed in Mrs. Obama’s remarks honoring women in the military, "our foremothers and our sisters today have joined our forefathers and our brothers today in securing our liberty and protecting our country."
Mrs. Obama was joined at Tuesday’s event by Army Gen. Ann Dunwoody, the nation’s first female four star general; Coast Guard Vice Admiral Viven Crea, the first woman to serve as vice chief of a branch of the U.S. armed forces; Iraq veteran and assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Tammy Duckworth; and Reps. Mary Fallin, Jan Schakowsky and Laura Richardson.
She was introduced by Brigadier General Wilma Vaught, the president of the Women’s Memorial Foundation, who reminded Mrs. Obama of Mrs. Roosevelt inviting military women to tea. "During my time in the military and the years since," Vaught said, "I’ve never known of the first lady issuing such an invitation." Mrs. Obama quickly agreed the suggestion was "an excellent idea" and told the attendees they were all invited.
She also honored the sacrifice of the families of military members. "They are mothers and fathers who have lost their beloved children to war; they are husbands and wives keeping the families on track while their wives and husbands are deployed on duty," she said. "They are grandparents, aunts and uncles, and sisters and brothers who are taking care of children while single moms or dads in uniform are away."
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The National Women’s History Project was founded in 1980 and sponsors Women’s History Month which grew out of the success of Women’s History Week first celebrated in 1978.
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