Document 55: "Speech by First Lady Rosalynn Carter, First Plenary Session," in National Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year, The Spirit of Houston: The First National Women's Conference (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1978), pp. 219-20.
p. 219
SPEECH BY FIRST LADY ROSALYNN CARTER
FIRST PLENARY SESSION
NOVEMBER 19, 1977
It is a pleasure to welcome you to the National Women's Conference.
Jimmy is sorry that he could not be here today. His concern about the outcome of your agenda is deep. He cares about what is going on here this weekend. And I trust that you don't think he's sent a woman to do a man's job!
I would like to address myself to that issue. The substance of this conference is much, much more than a man-woman thing. Or symbolism.
There is a lot of talk about style and substance these days. But they are not mutually exclusive—in men, women, or government. I think that our two former First Ladies here this morning have shown us that.
Mrs. Johnson, you left behind a national legacy that blooms with the seasons and inspires us to all to enjoy, cherish, and want to improve our environments. And your memorable style helped to point up the need for community action.
And Mrs. Ford, I know that your courageous—yes, your outspoken—acceptance of your illness prompted untold numbers of women and men to seek help and information about cancer. You brought hope and alleviated fears—and left an imprint in the White House by your enthusiastic style.
Both of you are admired throughout the world for your dedication to your role—your job—as First Lady. And I think it is significant that the three of us are here in Houston together on this platform today to affirm the continuity in our government's efforts to improve life for all.
Jimmy asked me to be his personal emissary today, and to talk to you briefly about his concerns and his goals. He and I have been partners for a long time—working together and separately to raise our children, start a business, undertake the duties of elective office, and to fulfill our shared commitment to improve the lives and possibilities for happiness of the women and men in this country. Of course, I am here for myself, too.
This conference holds promise for so many—around this world. I flew out last night with four women from the White House whose responsibilities in government reflect Jimmy's recognition that women are good leaders.
These women are among the assistants and special assistants—key decisionmakers—to the President of the United States. I was proud to be with them. There have been very few in those jobs before.
There are more than 40 other women who are here from the administration, women who make and direct policy in management jobs throughout the government. This is an indication of how far women have come. Did you know that the general counsel of the Department of Defense is a woman in the Carter administration? And the general counsel of the Department of Agriculture is a woman—from Texas?
In just 10 months we have—
—Two women in the Cabinet;
—Four women ambassadors;
—One out of every four professionals on Jimmy's domestic policy is female;
—A top woman advises him on the National Security Council.
These are building blocks.
Here are some initiatives that Jimmy has already taken on behalf of women:
Just this week, he sent a directive to all department and agency heads about the Executive order signed by President Johnson 10 years ago banning sex discrimination in Federal
p. 220
He has already—voluntarily—brought the Executive Office of the President under Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. And he has taken steps to give government women workers—and the government is the largest major employer of women—better opportunities through part-time work, flexitime schedules, and better mechanisms for handling discrimination complaints.
He is concerned about the equal employment enforcement, sex discrimination in Federal laws, barriers to women in business. I think these are important building blocks toward equal participation in national life. That is what we are here for today. Equal participation is our goal.
I am proud to be a part of the National Women's Conference. Never before in our history has there been such a women's meeting: in numbers, in preparation, in diversity, in long-range effect. The breadth of opinion, ethnic group, income, and occupation represented here is remarkably reflective of our whole country.
That diversity among women is itself indicative of how completely we are a part of America. The strength of our country from its very beginning has been the wide variety of people and ideas that have worked together for the good of all.
There have been a lot of disagreements and conflicts. There will be a lot of disagreements and conflicts. But I agree with my daughter-in-law Judy that we must guard against obscuring valid issues with defensiveness and anger. The glue that holds us together is the firm knowledge that our basic goals are the same.
All of us cherish our freedom to live, to worship, to vote, to work as we please. We are all searching for ways to create a better future for our children. Here in Houston, we have that chance. And we must consider carefully our responsibilities.
We are responsible to the American people, who, through their taxes, have supported this Conference.
We are responsible to the Congress and to the President, who will use the report generated by the Conference for many years to guide them in their efforts to solve the problems identified and discussed here.
Above all, we are responsible to ourselves—and the future generations of American women—and men.
Because we are making history. I think we all are aware that we are making history—as we come together here in this huge gathering.
It is a privilege we share these next few days.
 |
 |
 |
| Previous Document |
Document List |
Next Document |