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The Daily OrangeObama fulfills gender issue promises during first year
By Krystie Yandoli
Posted: 11/2/09, 10:15 PM EST Section: Opinion
It's hard to believe that an entire year has already passed since the election of President Barack Obama into the White House. Nov. 4th, 2008, was filled with exciting thoughts, ideas, and aspirations for the coming years. Many who were once fans of President Obama's proposed change are now speculating that he is a "do-nothing" president, who has accomplished little to nothing that he pledged.
False promises are always a let-down after every campaign. Despite a candidate's victory, reality quickly sets in and larger issues take precedence. One year later, an honest evaluation reveals the "other business" Obama has taken care of in the midst of our serious economic crisis, dire health care debate, and the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Not only has Obama accomplished minor changes but also his legislation and actions have especially spoken to issues of gender in the United States. In less than two weeks his new administration upheld a commitment to women's and equal rights by following through with the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. This essentially amended the previous Civil Rights Act of 1964 to decipher what kinds of actions are considered discriminatory. It also states that individuals are allowed to receive back pay as a kind of reimbursement for experiencing this unfairness up to two years after filing a complaint.
Two months later his administration also announced the creation of the White House Council on Women and Girls. Their purpose is to make sure that females are treated fairly and considered in terms of public policy. "I want to be clear that issues like equal pay, family leave, child care and others are not just women's issues, they are family issues and economic issues," said President Obama when announcing the new council. "Our progress in these areas is an important measure of whether we are truly fulfilling the promise of our democracy for all our people."
The President also spent little to no time appointing qualified women to his Cabinet and in other areas of the U.S. government. Judge Sotomayor was a significant appointment because she is the first Hispanic judge, and third female, to hold a seat on the Supreme Court.
False promises are always a let-down after every campaign. Despite a candidate's victory, reality quickly sets in and larger issues take precedence. One year later, an honest evaluation reveals the "other business" Obama has taken care of in the midst of our serious economic crisis, dire health care debate, and the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Not only has Obama accomplished minor changes but also his legislation and actions have especially spoken to issues of gender in the United States. In less than two weeks his new administration upheld a commitment to women's and equal rights by following through with the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. This essentially amended the previous Civil Rights Act of 1964 to decipher what kinds of actions are considered discriminatory. It also states that individuals are allowed to receive back pay as a kind of reimbursement for experiencing this unfairness up to two years after filing a complaint.
Two months later his administration also announced the creation of the White House Council on Women and Girls. Their purpose is to make sure that females are treated fairly and considered in terms of public policy. "I want to be clear that issues like equal pay, family leave, child care and others are not just women's issues, they are family issues and economic issues," said President Obama when announcing the new council. "Our progress in these areas is an important measure of whether we are truly fulfilling the promise of our democracy for all our people."
The President also spent little to no time appointing qualified women to his Cabinet and in other areas of the U.S. government. Judge Sotomayor was a significant appointment because she is the first Hispanic judge, and third female, to hold a seat on the Supreme Court.
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