Speech
International Women’s Day 2008
By Miriam K. Hughes
U.S. Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia
(March 8, 2008, Pohnpei State Track and Field, Dolonier, Pohnpei, FSM)
United States District Judge of the Central District of California, the Honorable Consuelo B. Marshall, Ambassador Liu Fei of the Peoples Republic of China, Australian Ambassador Susan Cox, and Other Distinguished Guests, it is a great honor for me to be in such a special spot on earth, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and to enjoy the company particularly of Micronesian women on this occasion.
But we also have some other distinguished women here today, and in a moment I will more fully introduce a remarkable Chief Federal Judge, the Honorable Consuelo Marshall, who has come from California. I come from NY (two different poles of our country.) Like Chief Judge Marshall, we feel a kinship here with you in this nahs in a unique Pacific island nation. In many ways, the FSM has come into its own as an active participant and leader in the international community.
Tomorrow is International Women’s Day. This commemoration originated in 1975 as an initiative of the United Nations. General Assembly voted to dedicate a day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s women. As part of the UN resolution, General Assembly recognized that the full enjoyment of human rights – including protection from domestic violence – along with other fundamental freedoms, are required for the dignity, health and active participation of women. Women’s Day is an opportunity to consider how far we have come. It is an opportunity to get together and to also share ideas about how to achieve further meaningful change and progress ahead.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice – my boss and role model – has spoken out repeatedly about the role of women as essential agents to advance democracy, prosperity and worldwide security. If women do not participate in the political process, especially in positions of leadership, then there is no real democracy because half the people will be left out. If women are deprived of maternal health care, political power and economic opportunity, then development is crippled. If women are not educated, they cannot pass knowledge to their children.
The U.S. wants all the people of the world to reach their full potential and to flourish. President Bush has emphasized that “the US is strongly committed to advancing the equality of women.” This is a key foreign policy priority, it is central to our beliefs and values as Americans. But in fact no country can fully thrive in today’s global economy if half of its human capital is neglected. Women promote strong families, civil society, responsible government and entrepreneurship. By empowering women, we help bring about a brighter, more hopeful, and more peaceful future.
Now another role model of mine is the Honorable Consuelo Marshall, who has accomplished in practice a high and remarkable mission. She currently serves as the U.S. Chief District Judge in California and Chair of the Ninth Circuit Pacific Islands Committee. In 1980 President Jimmy Carter appointed her to District Court for the Central District of California. She became the first woman to serve as Chief Judge in this court.
Chief Justice Marshall began her career as a Deputy City Attorney for the City of Los Angeles. She was the first woman lawyer in that office. She is a graduate of Howard University in Washington, DC, both its undergraduate and law schools. She graduated third in her law school class. She has lectured around the world, including in Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Yugoslavia, Italy and Greece. The list of awards and honors that have been bestowed upon Chief Judge Marshall are awesome and probably too long for me to read on this occasion. But I would just add that somehow, she also found time to get married and raise two children, who are now adults.
I don’t know how she did all this, but I feel very fortunate to know her and to count upon her presence today here in the Federated States of Micronesia. Madame Chief Justice, thank you for being with us.