Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume E–14, Part 1, Documents on the United Nations, 1973–1976

169. Memorandum From the Coordinator for Multilateral Development Programs (McDonald) to Members of the United Nations Economic Committee, Washington, November 9, 1973.¹ ²

Washington, November 9, 1973

DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Washington, D.C. 20520

November 9, 1973

MEMORANDUM

TO: All UNEC Members
FROM: CMD - John W. McDonald Jr.
SUBJECT: International Women’s Year

A growing interest in International Women’s Year is now developing in Congress, the various branches of the Federal Government and at the private level and the Department of State would like to move ahead on a coordinated plan of action for the Federal Government. We are requesting each of the UNEC Department representatives to prepare for the next meeting the following information with regard to IWY plans for their Departments and to have with them in writing, answers to the following items:

1. Selected Department goal or goals for IWY.

2. Department programs to be developed for IWY including regional implementation of Federal programs.

3. Name of person responsible in each Department for program implementation, liaison with IWY Center, and comment on departmental mechanism to oversee the Federal program.

4. How voluntary groups can be included in the program.

5. Relevant financial considerations.

6. Suggestions for nominations to the National Advisory Board for IWY.

The date for the next UNEC meeting has been set for November 21, 1973. It is hoped that this will allow sufficient time for the preparation of all Department action plans. The meeting will be held in Room 1105, Department of State at 2:30 p.m.

Attachment: Minutes of UNEC meeting Oct. 2, 1973

MINUTES OF IWY UNEC MEETING

October 2, 1973

Mr. McDonald announced that this meeting would discuss how to structure and plan for a program for IWY in 1975 and to determine an overall policy for the year.

Miss Virginia Allan discussed the IWY workshop held at the State Department on October 18th and said that she regarded the meeting a great success in terms of interest. She also reported a number of national and international meetings planned by NGO’s for the year by such organizations as NOW, Women Involved and the International Federation of Professional Women. Mrs. Jean Picker, US Representative to the UN Commission on Social Development suggested that the group might wish to review the report of the White House Conference on International Cooperation, Report of the Committee on Women, and to consider their recommendations in establishing a program for the year. She suggested that efforts be made to involve both the public and private sector, and that the program of any advisory committee be so oriented with established priorities. She explained that NGO’s could be particularly helpful in this task and that money was available from private sources and foundations for voluntarism.

The Chairman asked whether or not there was agreement to establish a national commission for the observance of International Women’s Year and, if so, how, to do so. A number of participants asked for clarification on this subject such as the availability of budget funds from State or the Department of Labor and HEW for the observance of the Year. Mr. McDonald indicated that the Department of State has no funds for this purpose since women’s programs fall under the jurisdiction of other departments of the Federal Government.

In asking whether the project had White House approval, Miss Allan stated that Mrs. Ann Armstrong had indicated her approval of the activity but offered no money to support the project. The Chairman agreed with those who offered the view that this project would have to have an indication of receptivity at the Cabinet or White House level if it is to succeed. It was suggested that Miss Allan pursue the matter further with the White House. It was also suggested that Miss Allan and Mr. McDonald arrange to discuss the matter of Department of Labor participation in IWY with Mrs. Carmen Maymi of the Women’s Bureau, Department of Labor for a clarification of Labor’s role in IWY and consider the possibility of discussions with HEW to determine interest and responsibility in that department of government.

The group next considered various aspects of support from the private sector. Dr. Bacon, of the IWY Center at Meridian House International, asked for additional guidance and more specific details on representation from the public sector. Should it be limited to UN-NGO groups only, or would it be broadened?

The participants indicated a broad participation such as the League of Women Voters, National Council of Women Country Women of the World, religious groups such as the United Church Women; educational bodies such as Association of American Colleges, international studies schools Princeton, Barnard, University of Maryland; labor groups, and veterans.

Action taken:

The Chairman announced that he was formalizing Miss Allan’s Ad Hoc Committee on IWY and asked that she prepare a draft memo proposing the establishment of a National Commission for IWY using Environment, Population and Human Rights year models as a guideline.

Miss Wallace was asked to check with the Department of Labor to arrange to have one person designated to work full time on IWY and to see if expenditures for this purpose could be included in the Labor Department budget submission for 1975.

Mr. McDonald and Miss Allan will visit the Labor Department (Mrs. Maymi) to ask for a clarification of Labor’s role.

Mr. McDonald will seek clarification of the State Department’s role with regard to the observance of IWY.

Miss Good was asked to see that the November UNESCO meeting include an item on IWY on their agenda.

Miss Allan and Miss Wallace were asked to provide letters from the State Department and Labor Department in support of the issuance of a Commemorative postal stamp for International Women’s Year 1975.

1. Source: Department of State, IO/CMD Files: Lot 75 D 289, UNEC D–806/73. No classification marking. Barbara Good represented IO/UCS at the UNEC meeting. K.O. Wallace represented the Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labor.
2. McDonald forwarded the minutes of the October 2 United Nations Economic Committee meeting and requested preparation of action plans to advance U.S. observance of the International Women’s Year.