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President Bush
Pays Tribute to Prominent Women
President Bush presides at a White House ceremony honoring
women around the world who are fighting for freedom
By Paula Wolfson, VoA News
White House -
March 10, 2008 -
March is women's history month in the United States. And the
president recognized not only those who have made a difference in the
past, but those who are changing lives today.
"We take pride in the progress women have
made here at home and we know that millions of women abroad are still
working to secure their basic rights," said President Bush.
He made specific mention of women who are
playing a key role in emerging democracies, such as Afghanistan and
Iraq. And he pointed to Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as an
example of just how much an empowered woman can do to bring a country on
the brink of collapse to a hopeful future.
"Liberians call President Johnson 'the
iron lady' and 'Ma', said Mr. Bush. "I am proud to call her 'friend.'"
Mr. Bush also spoke of the women who take
on tyrants in an effort to bring freedom to their countries. He told the
stories of activists in Cuba and Belarus. And he pledged America's
ongoing commitment to the Democracy movement in Burma led by Nobel
Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
"Aung San Suu Kyi has never wavered," he
said. "Her courage and her writings have inspired millions. And in so
doing, they have put fear into the hearts of the leaders of the Burmese
junta."
Among those attending the event at the
White House were women who hold key posts in the president's cabinet,
serve in Congress, and represent their countries as ambassadors in
Washington.
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