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Friday, May 20, 2011

Weekly Women's Update Welcome to this edition of the Council on Women and Girls Weekly Highlights. This week, the President delivered an address that outlines how the United States will respond to the revolutionary acts in the Middle East and North Africa, and stressed the importance of women’s empowerment for achieving human rights in the region. In addition, The First Lady delivered the commencement address to the 2011 graduating class of Spelman College and commended them for their efforts to change the world. Read about this, and other events throughout the Administration below. And remember, if you have friends or family who would like to join our Council on Women and Girls efforts, please have them click here. Highlights Moment of Opportunity: President Obama on the Middle East & North AfricaIn a major speech at the State Department, President Obama laid out his vision for a new chapter in American diplomacy as calls for reform and democracy spread across the Middle East and North Africa. President Obama at Booker T. Washington High: Commencement Challenge WinnersBooker T. Washington High School was the winner of the Race to the Top Commencement Challenge, chosen as a finalist on the basis of its inspiring turn-around story and voted the winner by the public after each finalist school submitted a video making its case. Read the President’s commencement address to learn more about BTW’s remarkable students. The President at Coast Guard Academy Commencement: “I’ve Seen Your Devotion to Duty”The President gave his last commencement address of the season this week at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. He walked the graduating class down memory lane of the years of tough training and thanked them for their service to our country. President Barack Obama and Ensign Jennifer Proctor make the 'shaka' sign as they pose for a photo during the 130th Coast Guard Academy Commencement ceremony in New London, Conn., May 18, 2011. Proctor and President Obama, who both graduated from the same high school in Hawaii, are joined by her father, U.S. Army Col. James Proctor. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy) President Obama Honors Jewish American Heritage: “The Jewish People Have Always Persevered”This week, the President welcomed some of the most influential people of our time to the White House, from members of Congress and Supreme Court Justices to Elie Wiesel; Jewish Americans who have overcome adversity and have helped shape our country and the world. Returning to Spelman with First Lady Michelle ObamaThis Week, Mrs. Obama addressed the 2011 graduating class of Spelman College, a historically black liberal arts college in Atlanta for women who seek to change the world in meaningful and inspirational ways. Do You Know Someone Like This?This week, President Obama sent the email below to the White House email list asking for nominations for the 2011 Citizens Medal, our nation’s second highest civilian honor. This year, President Obama is looking for Americans who have performed exemplary deeds of service outside of their regular jobs and provided inspiration for others to serve. Helping Women Advance in the WorkplacePresident Obama and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis have both underscored the importance of workplace flexibility to enable Americans to succeed in the workplace and at home. In accordance with this goal, the Women’s Bureau will host the New York Professional Workers National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility on Thursday, June 30. Read about this dialogue, and others held across the country. Empowering Survivors of Domestic Violence through Financial LiteracyThis week, Deputy Director of the Council on Women and Girls Jenny Kaplan had the opportunity to speak at a workshop on the intersection of financial capability and domestic violence. Read about the Administration’s efforts to help survivors of violence improve their financial well being. National Small Business Week is HereIt’s National Small Business Week! Read the President’s Proclamation and the Administration report that outlines what the over 27 million small businesses in America and their employees can do to create jobs. West Wing Week: "The Commencement at Booker T"This week the President visited flood victims in Memphis,TN before speaking at the Booker T. Washington High School graduation, celebrated the Situation Room's 50th birthday, and gave a speech on the change sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa. Photos of the Day First Lady Michelle Obama paints a bench during a Congressional service event at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling Youth Center in Washington, D.C., May 19, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)