Secretary Haaland Celebrates President Biden’s Executive Order to Recognize and Honor Women’s History

Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Contact: Interior_Press@ios.doi.gov

WASHINGTON — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today welcomed President Biden’s Executive Order to strengthen the National Park Service’s recognition of women’s history. This Executive Order will increase the representation of women’s history in sites across America and help honor the legacy and contributions of women and girls to our country. Details about the direction provided to the Department from the President can be found on the White House website.

“Women’s History Month gives us the opportunity to not only celebrate and acknowledge women’s contributions to our country, but also to recognize the unique challenges that women have faced and continue to face. I am so grateful to our National Park Service colleagues across the country who steward our public lands and historic sites every day in service of honoring our shared history,” said Secretary Haaland. “President Biden’s Executive Order directs our team to think beyond the stories we currently tell to seek out the new and often untold stories of the women who have blazed a path for all of us. Doing this work means telling our country’s full and honest story, learning about the women across generations who have strengthened our nation and building a future where everyone can thrive.”

The National Park Service has recently designated National Historic Landmarks that recognize sites significant to women’s history, including Pond Farm Pottery in California and the Sam and Ruth Van Sickle Ford House in Illinois.

During the Biden-Harris administration, the National Park Service has invested more than $19 million in infrastructure and preservation projects for parks commemorating women across the nation. These funds are supported by the NPS Centennial Challenge, the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, and the Great American Outdoors Act. Additionally, the Department has awarded $2.1 million in Historic Preservation Fund grants for sites that are helping tell women’s history through the following grant programs: History of Equal Rights, Underrepresented Communities, Saving America’s Treasures, and African American Civil Rights. More information can be found via the Department’s Women’s History Month fact sheet.

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