BACKGROUND

AT THE TABLE -- A NATIONWIDE WOMEN'S OUTREACH EFFORT BY THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE FOR WOMEN'S INITIATIVES AND OUTREACH

The White House Office for Women's Initiatives and Outreach, which serves as a liaison between the White House and America's women, was created by President Clinton to better inform, respond to and listen to women across the nation.

The office's outreach efforts include a series of roundtables called At the Table. These roundtables, led by Administration officials, will give the Clinton Administration the opportunity to hear directly from women constituents about issues that are important to them, their families and their communities.

A report will be generated from each roundtable and submitted to The White House Office for Women's Initiatives and Outreach. The reports will be compiled and abstracted for monthly submission to the policy offices in the White House.

Several roundtables have already been held, including a series with the First Lady on working women's issues, discussions between the Vice President and local women leaders on domestic issues and a discussion between Mrs. Gore and women labor leaders. Other roundtables have been held in the White House on the U.N. Fourth World Conference on Women, focusing on domestic issues; in Chicago at a school for pregnant teenagers, focusing on education; and in Fall River, Massachusetts, focusing on working women.

President Clinton is committed to strong leadership on women's issues and has worked steadfastly to ensure that Administration policies support women. The At the Table series will spark a dialogue and provide a mechanism to get the word out about the President's commitment, as well as his accomplishments that directly affect the lives of women. At the Table will also provide women a direct means to bring their concerns and proposals to the President and others in his Administration.

(If you would like more information about At the Table and would like to participate, call The White House Office for Women's Initiatives and Outreach, Phone: (202)456-7300 FAX: (202)456-7311.)