in my almost eight years as treasurer of the United States I learned more than I
the United States I learned more than I
the United States I learned more than I could ever imagine and it started with
could ever imagine and it started with
could ever imagine and it started with this one question we value what we see
this one question we value what we see
this one question we value what we see every day but do we see what we value I
every day but do we see what we value I
every day but do we see what we value I spent my entire time and minute in the
spent my entire time and minute in the
spent my entire time and minute in the administration leading the efforts to
administration leading the efforts to
administration leading the efforts to put the portrait of a woman on a Federal
put the portrait of a woman on a Federal
put the portrait of a woman on a Federal Reserve notes for the first time in US
Reserve notes for the first time in US
Reserve notes for the first time in US history and I hope today that I’m going
history and I hope today that I’m going
history and I hope today that I’m going to open your eyes and change your lens
to open your eyes and change your lens
to open your eyes and change your lens because I realized just how invisible
because I realized just how invisible
because I realized just how invisible women are in everything we see around us
women are in everything we see around us
women are in everything we see around us I am an accidental feminist I am also an
I am an accidental feminist I am also an
I am an accidental feminist I am also an accidental historian and an accidental
accidental historian and an accidental
accidental historian and an accidental educator and I’m going to take you
educator and I’m going to take you
educator and I’m going to take you through my journey starting with my time
through my journey starting with my time
through my journey starting with my time on the Treasury federer’s our transition
on the Treasury federer’s our transition
on the Treasury federer’s our transition team in the fall of 2008 at the height
team in the fall of 2008 at the height
team in the fall of 2008 at the height of the financial crisis this is one of
of the financial crisis this is one of
of the financial crisis this is one of my favorite photos it is a 1913 suffrage
my favorite photos it is a 1913 suffrage
my favorite photos it is a 1913 suffrage pageant on the steps of Treasury what I
pageant on the steps of Treasury what I
pageant on the steps of Treasury what I love about this photo is if you look to
love about this photo is if you look to
love about this photo is if you look to the right that is my office the six
the right that is my office the six
the right that is my office the six windows from the corner so I walked up
windows from the corner so I walked up
windows from the corner so I walked up these steps every day as a reminder of
these steps every day as a reminder of
these steps every day as a reminder of those who came before me this is a
those who came before me this is a
those who came before me this is a rendering from 1879 one of the earliest
rendering from 1879 one of the earliest
rendering from 1879 one of the earliest images that we have of women in Treasury
images that we have of women in Treasury
images that we have of women in Treasury it’s in the Treasury work room and it’s
it’s in the Treasury work room and it’s
it’s in the Treasury work room and it’s interesting because women were actually
interesting because women were actually
interesting because women were actually master counterfeit detectors but for the
master counterfeit detectors but for the
master counterfeit detectors but for the most part they were maintenance staff
most part they were maintenance staff
most part they were maintenance staff and very very hard labor on the
and very very hard labor on the
and very very hard labor on the production process what I found so
production process what I found so
production process what I found so interesting in my experience at Treasury
interesting in my experience at Treasury
interesting in my experience at Treasury is what I came across at the Bureau of
is what I came across at the Bureau of
is what I came across at the Bureau of Engraving and printing in the historic
Engraving and printing in the historic
Engraving and printing in the historic resource center so the Bureau of
resource center so the Bureau of
resource center so the Bureau of Engraving and printing or the BEP is
Engraving and printing or the BEP is
Engraving and printing or the BEP is where we produced our nation’s currency
where we produced our nation’s currency
where we produced our nation’s currency but it’s also where we’ve produced all
but it’s also where we’ve produced all
but it’s also where we’ve produced all the financial products in the US
the financial products in the US
the financial products in the US government everything from savings bonds
government everything from savings bonds
government everything from savings bonds to military payment certificates food
to military payment certificates food
to military payment certificates food stamps postage stamps and so I found the
stamps postage stamps and so I found the
stamps postage stamps and so I found the historic Resource Center and wanted to
historic Resource Center and wanted to
historic Resource Center and wanted to come to go through and look at some of
come to go through and look at some of
come to go through and look at some of the images and renderings that I came
the images and renderings that I came
the images and renderings that I came across and
across and
across and was just beautiful artistry and what I
was just beautiful artistry and what I
was just beautiful artistry and what I found very very quickly was that every
found very very quickly was that every
found very very quickly was that every image that I came across of a woman was
image that I came across of a woman was
image that I came across of a woman was an allegorical woman it wasn’t a real
an allegorical woman it wasn’t a real
an allegorical woman it wasn’t a real woman there were these types of images
woman there were these types of images
woman there were these types of images kind of lady Lady Liberty’s women in
kind of lady Lady Liberty’s women in
kind of lady Lady Liberty’s women in togas and sometimes no togas but every
togas and sometimes no togas but every
togas and sometimes no togas but every image they came across of a man was a
image they came across of a man was a
image they came across of a man was a real man a founding father a cabinet
real man a founding father a cabinet
real man a founding father a cabinet member a president and I thought to
member a president and I thought to
member a president and I thought to myself well if you think about the
myself well if you think about the
myself well if you think about the purpose of currency it’s not just to
purpose of currency it’s not just to
purpose of currency it’s not just to facilitate commerce it’s also to
facilitate commerce it’s also to
facilitate commerce it’s also to institutionalize our history right so on
institutionalize our history right so on
institutionalize our history right so on every denomination of coin and currency
every denomination of coin and currency
every denomination of coin and currency you’re always going to find a very
you’re always going to find a very
you’re always going to find a very important person on the front and a very
important person on the front and a very
important person on the front and a very historic monument or edifice on the back
historic monument or edifice on the back
historic monument or edifice on the back so I dug around a little deeper and
so I dug around a little deeper and
so I dug around a little deeper and found out that we’ve never had a woman
found out that we’ve never had a woman
found out that we’ve never had a woman as a portrait on our notes and why was
as a portrait on our notes and why was
as a portrait on our notes and why was that because there were dozens of other
that because there were dozens of other
that because there were dozens of other countries at the time who were doing
countries at the time who were doing
countries at the time who were doing that so I reached out to the Bureau of
that so I reached out to the Bureau of
that so I reached out to the Bureau of Engraving and printing director Larry
Engraving and printing director Larry
Engraving and printing director Larry Felix who was my partner on this very
Felix who was my partner on this very
Felix who was my partner on this very covert project and his senior staff and
covert project and his senior staff and
covert project and his senior staff and I asked them the question why haven’t we
I asked them the question why haven’t we
I asked them the question why haven’t we ever done this before
ever done this before
ever done this before and I asked them individually and they
and I asked them individually and they
and I asked them individually and they had the same answer which is no one’s
had the same answer which is no one’s
had the same answer which is no one’s ever brought it up well I thought that
ever brought it up well I thought that
ever brought it up well I thought that was interesting and I knew I found my
was interesting and I knew I found my
was interesting and I knew I found my new life’s mission it’s like Newton’s
new life’s mission it’s like Newton’s
new life’s mission it’s like Newton’s third law for every action there’s an
third law for every action there’s an
third law for every action there’s an equal and opposite reaction well this
equal and opposite reaction well this
equal and opposite reaction well this was my purpose in life so after the
was my purpose in life so after the
was my purpose in life so after the Treasury Fed Reserve transition team was
Treasury Fed Reserve transition team was
Treasury Fed Reserve transition team was one of the few people who was offered a
one of the few people who was offered a
one of the few people who was offered a senate-confirmed position in the
senate-confirmed position in the
senate-confirmed position in the administration it was a big decision for
administration it was a big decision for
administration it was a big decision for me to make my daughter was eight at the
me to make my daughter was eight at the
me to make my daughter was eight at the time my son was 12 or living in
time my son was 12 or living in
time my son was 12 or living in California but I knew I had to do this
California but I knew I had to do this
California but I knew I had to do this to plant the seeds for what I knew was
to plant the seeds for what I knew was
to plant the seeds for what I knew was going to be a much larger conversation
going to be a much larger conversation
going to be a much larger conversation so when I was offered the position I
so when I was offered the position I
so when I was offered the position I submitted a proposal to my boss
submitted a proposal to my boss
submitted a proposal to my boss secretary Geithner and chief of staff
secretary Geithner and chief of staff
secretary Geithner and chief of staff mark Patterson and I cobbled together
mark Patterson and I cobbled together
mark Patterson and I cobbled together the portfolio that I was that I have
the portfolio that I was that I have
the portfolio that I was that I have which was overseeing the Bourbon gaming
which was overseeing the Bourbon gaming
which was overseeing the Bourbon gaming and printing the US Mint I want to be a
and printing the US Mint I want to be a
and printing the US Mint I want to be a senior advisor to the secretary as part
senior advisor to the secretary as part
senior advisor to the secretary as part of the senior staff that met with the
of the senior staff that met with the
of the senior staff that met with the secretary every morning and I became the
secretary every morning and I became the
secretary every morning and I became the chair of the advanced counterfeit
chair of the advanced counterfeit
chair of the advanced counterfeit deterrence steering committee all for
deterrence steering committee all for
deterrence steering committee all for the purpose of working on this project
the purpose of working on this project
the purpose of working on this project that no one knew I was going to be
that no one knew I was going to be
that no one knew I was going to be working on except from my very very
working on except from my very very
working on except from my very very small team because I knew I wanted to
small team because I knew I wanted to
small team because I knew I wanted to make a difference
make a difference
make a difference and else I had to find my opportunities
and else I had to find my opportunities
and else I had to find my opportunities along the ways I knew this was going to
along the ways I knew this was going to
along the ways I knew this was going to be a very very long process you can’t
be a very very long process you can’t
be a very very long process you can’t change hundreds of years of history
change hundreds of years of history
change hundreds of years of history overnight so I came across this one
overnight so I came across this one
overnight so I came across this one opportunity to kind of be a litmus test
opportunity to kind of be a litmus test
opportunity to kind of be a litmus test I went to secretary Geithner and I told
I went to secretary Geithner and I told
I went to secretary Geithner and I told him that I wanted to do a convening in
him that I wanted to do a convening in
him that I wanted to do a convening in Treasury to honor the 30th anniversary
Treasury to honor the 30th anniversary
Treasury to honor the 30th anniversary of Women’s History Month and so in March
of Women’s History Month and so in March
of Women’s History Month and so in March of 2010 we had our first women in
of 2010 we had our first women in
of 2010 we had our first women in finance symposium it was the senior
finance symposium it was the senior
finance symposium it was the senior women in the administration and it was
women in the administration and it was
women in the administration and it was also women from the private sector
also women from the private sector
also women from the private sector talking about the financial crisis and
talking about the financial crisis and
talking about the financial crisis and the path moving forward and lo and
the path moving forward and lo and
the path moving forward and lo and behold the following May it became the
behold the following May it became the
behold the following May it became the cover of Time magazine or the very first
cover of Time magazine or the very first
cover of Time magazine or the very first paragraph they talked about this
paragraph they talked about this
paragraph they talked about this symposium and the new economic
symposium and the new economic
symposium and the new economic decision-makers and one of the most
decision-makers and one of the most
decision-makers and one of the most consequential times of our economic
consequential times of our economic
consequential times of our economic history I knew I was on to something
history I knew I was on to something
history I knew I was on to something but I also knew there was something else
but I also knew there was something else
but I also knew there was something else about Tim that was very unique when I
about Tim that was very unique when I
about Tim that was very unique when I was briefing him about this particular
was briefing him about this particular
was briefing him about this particular event the Friday before he stops in the
event the Friday before he stops in the
event the Friday before he stops in the middle and he says you know my daughter
middle and he says you know my daughter
middle and he says you know my daughter is visiting this weekend I wonder if I
is visiting this weekend I wonder if I
is visiting this weekend I wonder if I can get her to change her flight so she
can get her to change her flight so she
can get her to change her flight so she can stay for this event on Monday I knew
can stay for this event on Monday I knew
can stay for this event on Monday I knew I was onto something because I pretty
I was onto something because I pretty
I was onto something because I pretty sure that Tim was looking at his
sure that Tim was looking at his
sure that Tim was looking at his daughter the same way I looked at my
daughter the same way I looked at my
daughter the same way I looked at my daughter my daughter Brooke is 16 years
daughter my daughter Brooke is 16 years
daughter my daughter Brooke is 16 years old there’s nothing that she can’t
old there’s nothing that she can’t
old there’s nothing that she can’t accomplish and so you know it was funny
accomplish and so you know it was funny
accomplish and so you know it was funny Mike my son’s a sophomore at Harvard and
Mike my son’s a sophomore at Harvard and
Mike my son’s a sophomore at Harvard and I teased him all the time I say Joey if
I teased him all the time I say Joey if
I teased him all the time I say Joey if you work really really hard maybe
you work really really hard maybe
you work really really hard maybe someday you could be brookey’s vice
someday you could be brookey’s vice
someday you could be brookey’s vice president
president
president it’s true and of course if you’re new
it’s true and of course if you’re new
it’s true and of course if you’re new brookie at Joey’s responses absolutely
brookie at Joey’s responses absolutely
brookie at Joey’s responses absolutely yes of course because we know that our
yes of course because we know that our
yes of course because we know that our daughters are capable of anything
daughters are capable of anything
daughters are capable of anything right and the program but they need
right and the program but they need
right and the program but they need inspirations in order to have
inspirations in order to have
inspirations in order to have aspirations and so the purpose of seeing
aspirations and so the purpose of seeing
aspirations and so the purpose of seeing yourself on currency or seeing yourself
yourself on currency or seeing yourself
yourself on currency or seeing yourself in the public domain is because you know
in the public domain is because you know
in the public domain is because you know that you can be a future history maker
that you can be a future history maker
that you can be a future history maker and this really wasn’t just about women
and this really wasn’t just about women
and this really wasn’t just about women for the sake of women on currency every
for the sake of women on currency every
for the sake of women on currency every generation of currency has a theme and
generation of currency has a theme and
generation of currency has a theme and my recommendation for this generation of
my recommendation for this generation of
my recommendation for this generation of currency was democracy if you’ve looked
currency was democracy if you’ve looked
currency was democracy if you’ve looked back even during the time of the
back even during the time of the
back even during the time of the financial crisis technology really
financial crisis technology really
financial crisis technology really turned our world upside down and the
turned our world upside down and the
turned our world upside down and the advent of the Maskell use of social
advent of the Maskell use of social
advent of the Maskell use of social media really provided a voice to the
media really provided a voice to the
media really provided a voice to the voiceless and even during that time
voiceless and even during that time
voiceless and even during that time right we had all these movements happen
right we had all these movements happen
right we had all these movements happen we had the Occupy movement the Tea Party
we had the Occupy movement the Tea Party
we had the Occupy movement the Tea Party movement and even overseas at the Arab
movement and even overseas at the Arab
movement and even overseas at the Arab Spring so for me that is democracy so I
Spring so for me that is democracy so I
Spring so for me that is democracy so I made sure when I made this presentation
made sure when I made this presentation
made sure when I made this presentation to secretary Geithner in October of 2012
to secretary Geithner in October of 2012
to secretary Geithner in October of 2012 I was following this path of traditional
I was following this path of traditional
I was following this path of traditional currency design but was able to do with
currency design but was able to do with
currency design but was able to do with a very deliberate purpose of this theme
a very deliberate purpose of this theme
a very deliberate purpose of this theme and knowing we’re working on a timeframe
and knowing we’re working on a timeframe
and knowing we’re working on a timeframe for 2020 that was our timeline 2020
for 2020 that was our timeline 2020
for 2020 that was our timeline 2020 happens to be the hundredth anniversary
happens to be the hundredth anniversary
happens to be the hundredth anniversary of the 19th amendment granting women the
of the 19th amendment granting women the
of the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote so giving half your
right to vote so giving half your
right to vote so giving half your population the ability to participate in
population the ability to participate in
population the ability to participate in our governance process they happen to be
our governance process they happen to be
our governance process they happen to be women that’s how this happened and so
women that’s how this happened and so
women that’s how this happened and so when I made that presentation to
when I made that presentation to
when I made that presentation to secretary Geithner he says this is cool
secretary Geithner he says this is cool
secretary Geithner he says this is cool we should do this so we embarked on our
we should do this so we embarked on our
we should do this so we embarked on our public engagement process to solicit
public engagement process to solicit
public engagement process to solicit feedback from the American public and
feedback from the American public and
feedback from the American public and who should be considered for our
who should be considered for our
who should be considered for our currency and the only criteria by the
currency and the only criteria by the
currency and the only criteria by the way in order to be an American on our
way in order to be an American on our
way in order to be an American on our currency is you have to be deceased and
by law it is the secretary of the
by law it is the secretary of the Treasury who has the final authority not
Treasury who has the final authority not
Treasury who has the final authority not the president and not Congress so I met
the president and not Congress so I met
the president and not Congress so I met with thousands of people all over the
with thousands of people all over the
with thousands of people all over the country and town halls and round tables
country and town halls and round tables
country and town halls and round tables and I learned three very specific things
and I learned three very specific things
and I learned three very specific things one there’s a lot of hate in this world
one there’s a lot of hate in this world
one there’s a lot of hate in this world there’s a lot of people who don’t want
there’s a lot of people who don’t want
there’s a lot of people who don’t want change I’ll call them preservationist
change I’ll call them preservationist
change I’ll call them preservationist s– and some of them were in my inner
s– and some of them were in my inner
s– and some of them were in my inner circle – how few how little people knew
circle – how few how little people knew
circle – how few how little people knew about American history and three how
about American history and three how
about American history and three how less they knew about women in our
less they knew about women in our
less they knew about women in our American history so along the way I
American history so along the way I
American history so along the way I created this database my team and I
created this database my team and I
created this database my team and I created this database of this feedback I
created this database of this feedback I
created this database of this feedback I didn’t want this to be about one woman
didn’t want this to be about one woman
didn’t want this to be about one woman or ten women but the hundreds of women
or ten women but the hundreds of women
or ten women but the hundreds of women who were overlooked in our history and
who were overlooked in our history and
who were overlooked in our history and for me I was really really disappointed
for me I was really really disappointed
for me I was really really disappointed when it became politicized this was
when it became politicized this was
when it became politicized this was never supposed to be about the $10 bill
never supposed to be about the $10 bill
never supposed to be about the $10 bill versus a $20 bill or Alexander Hamilton
versus a $20 bill or Alexander Hamilton
versus a $20 bill or Alexander Hamilton versus Andrew Jackson but a conversation
versus Andrew Jackson but a conversation
versus Andrew Jackson but a conversation about the contributions of this
about the contributions of this
about the contributions of this extraordinary group of women who made
extraordinary group of women who made
extraordinary group of women who made our country great and so I made sure
our country great and so I made sure
our country great and so I made sure that when we made this announcement of
that when we made this announcement of
that when we made this announcement of our currency design in April of 2016 the
our currency design in April of 2016 the
our currency design in April of 2016 the fact database was also posted on our
fact database was also posted on our
fact database was also posted on our website but something else happened
website but something else happened
website but something else happened something pretty extraordinary in the
something pretty extraordinary in the
something pretty extraordinary in the summer of 2015
summer of 2015
summer of 2015 I received an email from my high school
I received an email from my high school
I received an email from my high school history teacher true story mr. Wilder
history teacher true story mr. Wilder
history teacher true story mr. Wilder he’s still there by the way teaching
he’s still there by the way teaching
he’s still there by the way teaching American history and he had just seen my
American history and he had just seen my
American history and he had just seen my CNN video and he wanted to congratulate
CNN video and he wanted to congratulate
CNN video and he wanted to congratulate me but he also wanted to thank me
me but he also wanted to thank me
me but he also wanted to thank me because he said on that day August 17
because he said on that day August 17
because he said on that day August 17 2015 he walked into his classroom for
2015 he walked into his classroom for
2015 he walked into his classroom for the very first time and after 35 years
the very first time and after 35 years
the very first time and after 35 years of teaching American history realize
of teaching American history realize
of teaching American history realize that there are no images of women on his
that there are no images of women on his
that there are no images of women on his walls and he wanted to change it and he
walls and he wanted to change it and he
walls and he wanted to change it and he did he invited me back that fall I
did he invited me back that fall I
did he invited me back that fall I walked into that same classroom I took
walked into that same classroom I took
walked into that same classroom I took this class over 30 years ago and there
this class over 30 years ago and there
this class over 30 years ago and there on the walls were susan b anthony
on the walls were susan b anthony
on the walls were susan b anthony Harriet Tubman and me it was very
Harriet Tubman and me it was very
Harriet Tubman and me it was very surreal it was but it dawned on me
surreal it was but it dawned on me
surreal it was but it dawned on me if one teacher or a hundred teachers or
if one teacher or a hundred teachers or
if one teacher or a hundred teachers or a thousand teachers did the same thing
a thousand teachers did the same thing
a thousand teachers did the same thing she imagined what that would do for our
she imagined what that would do for our
she imagined what that would do for our girls and our boys right it’s like it’s
girls and our boys right it’s like it’s
girls and our boys right it’s like it’s a play on unconscious bias so
a play on unconscious bias so
a play on unconscious bias so unconscious bias is when you don’t
unconscious bias is when you don’t
unconscious bias is when you don’t realize how you’re being influenced by
realize how you’re being influenced by
realize how you’re being influenced by something that you’re exposed to could
something that you’re exposed to could
something that you’re exposed to could it be that you might be influenced by
it be that you might be influenced by
it be that you might be influenced by something you’re not exposed to and the
something you’re not exposed to and the
something you’re not exposed to and the answer is yes absolutely and so when I
answer is yes absolutely and so when I
answer is yes absolutely and so when I left the administration early in July of
left the administration early in July of
left the administration early in July of last summer I decided to launch teachers
last summer I decided to launch teachers
last summer I decided to launch teachers writing history righ T on August 26th
writing history righ T on August 26th
writing history righ T on August 26th 2016 which is equality day so my high
2016 which is equality day so my high
2016 which is equality day so my high school was the pilot program mr. Wilder
school was the pilot program mr. Wilder
school was the pilot program mr. Wilder and the Vice Principal Katie teekl took
and the Vice Principal Katie teekl took
and the Vice Principal Katie teekl took this database that we created and they
this database that we created and they
this database that we created and they added the public images and they
added the public images and they
added the public images and they integrated it into their classroom it’s
integrated it into their classroom it’s
integrated it into their classroom it’s very very simple you can see it it’s
very very simple you can see it it’s
very very simple you can see it it’s last name first name date of birth date
last name first name date of birth date
last name first name date of birth date of death a summary that our historians
of death a summary that our historians
of death a summary that our historians put together and then they added the
put together and then they added the
put together and then they added the public images but it’s amazing what
public images but it’s amazing what
public images but it’s amazing what happens when you give simple content to
happens when you give simple content to
happens when you give simple content to students and let them run with it they
students and let them run with it they
students and let them run with it they did everything in addition to images
did everything in addition to images
did everything in addition to images they did performance pieces flash cards
they did performance pieces flash cards
they did performance pieces flash cards etc technology it’s what I call inspired
etc technology it’s what I call inspired
etc technology it’s what I call inspired learning it’s amazing what happens with
learning it’s amazing what happens with
learning it’s amazing what happens with these students and it took off in fact
these students and it took off in fact
these students and it took off in fact thank you to mr. Wilder I received an
thank you to mr. Wilder I received an
thank you to mr. Wilder I received an email from the superintendent of the New
email from the superintendent of the New
email from the superintendent of the New Haven Unified School District asking me
Haven Unified School District asking me
Haven Unified School District asking me to come to their school board meeting
to come to their school board meeting
to come to their school board meeting because they placed a resolution on
because they placed a resolution on
because they placed a resolution on their agenda to encourage all their
their agenda to encourage all their
their agenda to encourage all their schools to participate in teachers
schools to participate in teachers
schools to participate in teachers writing history and what was really
writing history and what was really
writing history and what was really fascinating is it resonated as much with
fascinating is it resonated as much with
fascinating is it resonated as much with boys as it was as girls I remember
boys as it was as girls I remember
boys as it was as girls I remember receiving this email from this young
receiving this email from this young
receiving this email from this young male within the King Schools a copy of
male within the King Schools a copy of
male within the King Schools a copy of an email that he sent to his headmaster
an email that he sent to his headmaster
an email that he sent to his headmaster and wanting to participate in teachers
and wanting to participate in teachers
and wanting to participate in teachers writing history and he said in this
writing history and he said in this
writing history and he said in this email to his headmaster this is not a
email to his headmaster this is not a
email to his headmaster this is not a feminist interest this is an American
feminist interest this is an American
feminist interest this is an American interests of retelling the stories of
interests of retelling the stories of
interests of retelling the stories of unsung heroes that’s exactly right
unsung heroes that’s exactly right
unsung heroes that’s exactly right this isn’t his story or her story this
this isn’t his story or her story this
this isn’t his story or her story this is our story it’s actually not gender
is our story it’s actually not gender
is our story it’s actually not gender centric it’s gender neutral this is just
centric it’s gender neutral this is just
centric it’s gender neutral this is just people these are people talking about
people these are people talking about
people these are people talking about people and if you think about it I think
people and if you think about it I think
people and if you think about it I think the reason why it resonated so well with
the reason why it resonated so well with
the reason why it resonated so well with boys and girls if we think we have it
boys and girls if we think we have it
boys and girls if we think we have it hard as women today to imagine what it
hard as women today to imagine what it
hard as women today to imagine what it was like 50 years ago or a hundred years
was like 50 years ago or a hundred years
was like 50 years ago or a hundred years ago or a hundred and fifty years ago
ago or a hundred and fifty years ago
ago or a hundred and fifty years ago right against all odds if you’re gonna
right against all odds if you’re gonna
right against all odds if you’re gonna be a woman and make a dent in history
be a woman and make a dent in history
be a woman and make a dent in history it’s gonna be under extraordinary
it’s gonna be under extraordinary
it’s gonna be under extraordinary circumstances so these are just you know
circumstances so these are just you know
circumstances so these are just you know the very dramatic and a lot of intrigue
the very dramatic and a lot of intrigue
the very dramatic and a lot of intrigue and people just were interested and for
and people just were interested and for
and people just were interested and for me it wasn’t just getting beyond you
me it wasn’t just getting beyond you
me it wasn’t just getting beyond you know currency or education or leadership
know currency or education or leadership
know currency or education or leadership positions like you saw on the Time
positions like you saw on the Time
positions like you saw on the Time magazine article there was a much bigger
magazine article there was a much bigger
magazine article there was a much bigger conversation that I felt we needed to
conversation that I felt we needed to
conversation that I felt we needed to have and I this isn’t just about kind of
have and I this isn’t just about kind of
have and I this isn’t just about kind of pounding my fist and doing something for
pounding my fist and doing something for
pounding my fist and doing something for the sake of women there’s science that
the sake of women there’s science that
the sake of women there’s science that actually shows that if we don’t do
actually shows that if we don’t do
actually shows that if we don’t do something different that our children
something different that our children
something different that our children will be harmed
will be harmed
will be harmed science magazine justice last January
science magazine justice last January
science magazine justice last January published this article called gender
published this article called gender
published this article called gender stereotypes and intellectual ability and
stereotypes and intellectual ability and
stereotypes and intellectual ability and the premise is this gendered notions of
the premise is this gendered notions of
the premise is this gendered notions of brilliance are acquired early and have
brilliance are acquired early and have
brilliance are acquired early and have an immediate effect on children’s
an immediate effect on children’s
an immediate effect on children’s interest here’s what it says
interest here’s what it says
interest here’s what it says six-year-old girls are less likely than
six-year-old girls are less likely than
six-year-old girls are less likely than boys to think their gender is really
boys to think their gender is really
boys to think their gender is really really smart six-year-old girls avoid
really smart six-year-old girls avoid
really smart six-year-old girls avoid activities where you have to be really
activities where you have to be really
activities where you have to be really really smart and as young as the most
really smart and as young as the most
really smart and as young as the most rapid changes happen between five and
rapid changes happen between five and
rapid changes happen between five and seven years old why school that’s when
seven years old why school that’s when
seven years old why school that’s when they start school so as much as we think
they start school so as much as we think
they start school so as much as we think we can protect them at home once they
we can protect them at home once they
we can protect them at home once they get into the classroom whether it’s the
get into the classroom whether it’s the
get into the classroom whether it’s the teachers whether it’s their peers
teachers whether it’s their peers
teachers whether it’s their peers whether it’s something they’re not
whether it’s something they’re not
whether it’s something they’re not seeing on their walls their confidence
seeing on their walls their confidence
seeing on their walls their confidence their confidence is affected and it
their confidence is affected and it
their confidence is affected and it makes a difference not just for girls
makes a difference not just for girls
makes a difference not just for girls but for boys as well so for me you know
but for boys as well so for me you know
but for boys as well so for me you know I’m trying to get
I’m trying to get
I’m trying to get beyond what this means in terms of this
beyond what this means in terms of this
beyond what this means in terms of this being called a feminist issue this is an
being called a feminist issue this is an
being called a feminist issue this is an equity issue these are our daughters
equity issue these are our daughters
equity issue these are our daughters these are our sisters these are aneesa’s
these are our sisters these are aneesa’s
these are our sisters these are aneesa’s these are our granddaughters if they
these are our granddaughters if they
these are our granddaughters if they lose we all lose but there is hope there
lose we all lose but there is hope there
lose we all lose but there is hope there is hope there’s a lot of great activity
is hope there’s a lot of great activity
is hope there’s a lot of great activity going on I want to start by showing you
going on I want to start by showing you
going on I want to start by showing you some of the things that are that I’m
some of the things that are that I’m
some of the things that are that I’m going to do and a lot of people are
going to do and a lot of people are
going to do and a lot of people are going to do moving forward so statues
going to do moving forward so statues
going to do moving forward so statues what I call writing history statues
what I call writing history statues
what I call writing history statues great great story Central Park Central
great great story Central Park Central
great great story Central Park Central Park one of the most visited parks in
Park one of the most visited parks in
Park one of the most visited parks in the world over 40 million visitors a
the world over 40 million visitors a
the world over 40 million visitors a year there are 23 statues in Central
year there are 23 statues in Central
year there are 23 statues in Central Park can you name the female statues
Park can you name the female statues
Park can you name the female statues mother Goose threw an Alice in
mother Goose threw an Alice in
mother Goose threw an Alice in Wonderland
Wonderland
Wonderland these are fantasy characters but you
these are fantasy characters but you
these are fantasy characters but you will find the great conquistadors on
will find the great conquistadors on
will find the great conquistadors on their horses Jose Marti Simone Boulevard
their horses Jose Marti Simone Boulevard
their horses Jose Marti Simone Boulevard I’m not the first person to bring this
I’m not the first person to bring this
I’m not the first person to bring this up there are many great champions out
up there are many great champions out
up there are many great champions out there Colin Jenkins pan Elam been doing
there Colin Jenkins pan Elam been doing
there Colin Jenkins pan Elam been doing great work but I started talking about
great work but I started talking about
great work but I started talking about this when I left the administration last
this when I left the administration last
this when I left the administration last summer I was talking about currency and
summer I was talking about currency and
summer I was talking about currency and leadership and and and education and
leadership and and and education and
leadership and and and education and I’ve mentioned statues and mentioned the
I’ve mentioned statues and mentioned the
I’ve mentioned statues and mentioned the example of Central Park this woman came
example of Central Park this woman came
example of Central Park this woman came up to me and she says I’m from New York
up to me and she says I’m from New York
up to me and she says I’m from New York life I’ve never heard it talked about it
life I’ve never heard it talked about it
life I’ve never heard it talked about it in the context that you just said can
in the context that you just said can
in the context that you just said can you come meet with our foundation they
you come meet with our foundation they
you come meet with our foundation they need to hear what you’re saying so I did
need to hear what you’re saying so I did
need to hear what you’re saying so I did fast forward to a month ago I was the
fast forward to a month ago I was the
fast forward to a month ago I was the closing speaker for New York license
closing speaker for New York license
closing speaker for New York license Montera contribution for the first ever
Montera contribution for the first ever
Montera contribution for the first ever statue of a female in Central Park huge
statue of a female in Central Park huge
statue of a female in Central Park huge it’s a great story
it’s a great story
it’s a great story Heather Nestle the head of the
Heather Nestle the head of the
Heather Nestle the head of the foundation went to the CEO Ted Mathis
foundation went to the CEO Ted Mathis
foundation went to the CEO Ted Mathis and said I want to contribute three
and said I want to contribute three
and said I want to contribute three hundred thousand dollars for this effort
hundred thousand dollars for this effort
hundred thousand dollars for this effort and Ted said nope we’re giving half a
and Ted said nope we’re giving half a
and Ted said nope we’re giving half a million dollars but it makes a
million dollars but it makes a
million dollars but it makes a difference because it becomes that
difference because it becomes that
difference because it becomes that tipping point it causes that larger
tipping point it causes that larger
tipping point it causes that larger conversation because in DC in DC the
conversation because in DC in DC the
conversation because in DC in DC the nation’s capital where millions of
nation’s capital where millions of
nation’s capital where millions of people come from all over the world to
people come from all over the world to
people come from all over the world to learn about our history and what we
learn about our history and what we
learn about our history and what we value in whom we value we have two
value in whom we value we have two
value in whom we value we have two female statues and the outdoors in the
female statues and the outdoors in the
female statues and the outdoors in the public domain we
public domain we
public domain we Eleanor Roosevelt or HUD at her
Eleanor Roosevelt or HUD at her
Eleanor Roosevelt or HUD at her husband’s memorial we have Mary McLeod
husband’s memorial we have Mary McLeod
husband’s memorial we have Mary McLeod Bethune in southeast in Lincoln Park
Bethune in southeast in Lincoln Park
Bethune in southeast in Lincoln Park which very few people know about and
which very few people know about and
which very few people know about and there’s so many more other examples
there’s so many more other examples
there’s so many more other examples congressional gold medals medals and
congressional gold medals medals and
congressional gold medals medals and Women’s History Museum my goal to have
Women’s History Museum my goal to have
Women’s History Museum my goal to have all of this underway or completed by
all of this underway or completed by
all of this underway or completed by August 26 2020 the 100th anniversary of
August 26 2020 the 100th anniversary of
August 26 2020 the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment granting women the
the 19th amendment granting women the
the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote
right to vote
right to vote we need that milestone to work backwards
we need that milestone to work backwards
we need that milestone to work backwards from that’s three and a half years to
from that’s three and a half years to
from that’s three and a half years to show what we’ve done for the last
show what we’ve done for the last
show what we’ve done for the last hundred and it’s not just what you
hundred and it’s not just what you
hundred and it’s not just what you physically see it’s also women in
physically see it’s also women in
physically see it’s also women in leadership positions if we flatline 20%
leadership positions if we flatline 20%
leadership positions if we flatline 20% for women on corporate boards in the S&P
for women on corporate boards in the S&P
for women on corporate boards in the S&P 500 or flatline for women at 20%
500 or flatline for women at 20%
500 or flatline for women at 20% membership in Congress we have a lot of
membership in Congress we have a lot of
membership in Congress we have a lot of work ahead of us so I am a feminist not
work ahead of us so I am a feminist not
work ahead of us so I am a feminist not because I’m a woman but because I have a
because I’m a woman but because I have a
because I’m a woman but because I have a daughter
daughter
daughter and anything is possible for her and
and anything is possible for her and
and anything is possible for her and true feminism was something that my mom
true feminism was something that my mom
true feminism was something that my mom exhibited growing up and we’re using all
exhibited growing up and we’re using all
exhibited growing up and we’re using all nine of us as a single parent and saying
nine of us as a single parent and saying
nine of us as a single parent and saying sending all of us to college so it is
sending all of us to college so it is
sending all of us to college so it is time for deeds not words open your eyes
time for deeds not words open your eyes
time for deeds not words open your eyes look around and see what you don’t see
look around and see what you don’t see
look around and see what you don’t see and change it this is a whole new
and change it this is a whole new
and change it this is a whole new discussion a call to action one leader
discussion a call to action one leader
discussion a call to action one leader at a time be that leader and reinvent
at a time be that leader and reinvent
at a time be that leader and reinvent visibility thank you
[Music]
[Music] you
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