WASHINGTON, March 8 — U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama commemorated the 100th International Women's Day in the White House Monday, hailing the advancement women made.
"Women are on the verge of making up the majority of America's workforce," Obama said, bringing up his administration's efforts to make sure "if you do the same work as a man, you ought to be paid the same wage as a man."
He mentioned prominent women in his administration, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice and Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
Obama also invoked his mother, wife and two young daughters, noting challenges they face and "all of the glass ceilings that have yet to be shattered."
Speaking before his husband, Michelle welcomed all the guests attending the reception, honoring women all across the country and throughout the history.
Women's Day dates back to 1857, when hundreds of women in New York went on strike to protest low wages, long work hours and bad working conditions. The International Women's Day was established in 1910 at the Second International Socialist Women's Conference in Denmark. (PNA/Xinhua) ALM