New Council and Ambassador Position Created to Focus on Women’s Issues

President Obama invoked the struggles of his grandmother, single mother, wife, and two young daughters yesterday in creating a White House panel to advise him on issues facing women and girls.

Obama signed an executive order creating an across-the-government council designed to help Cabinet agencies and departments collaborate on ways to make sure women were provided opportunities offered to men.

The president named senior adviser Valerie Jarrett - herself a single mother - to head the group, which would include Cabinet secretaries and other administration officials.

He said he signed the order to honor all the women who came before him, and said the fight for gender equality is far from over, citing pay disparities, domestic violence, and the relatively few women in Congress and in the executive offices of major companies.

Also, last week, President Obama along with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, announced a new post of ambassador at large for women's issues around the world.

What a great way to celebrate International Women’s month!

Joan Rogliano is the Founder of The Wildflower Group, an organization that strives to empower women with practical information about finances and real estate, and to create a sense of community. For more information visit www.wildflowergroup.net