"We’ve got to keep up the fight to end the tragedy of veteran homelessness. Today, I announced that, across the nation, we have now reduced the number of homeless veterans by 47 percent -- nearly half -- since 2010."

President Barack Obama, August 1, 2016

When this administration took on the challenge to end veteran homelessness, many believed that it was an unattainable goal. For decades, even some of the strongest advocates for people experiencing homelessness looked at the scope of the challenge and felt that it was intractable – that at best we would get better at treating the symptoms of homelessness but that it was a problem we cannot eradicate.

The work of state and localities in the last several years has proven us wrong. Since 2014, more than 800 mayors, governors, and other state and local officials have answered the call of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness, pledging to do all they can to ensure their communities succeed. And it’s working.

A growing list of more than 35 communities, and the entire states of Connecticut, Delaware, and Virginia, have proven that ending veteran homelessness is possible and sustainable. As documented through the federal Criteria and Benchmarks, they have proven that we can drive down the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness to as close to zero as possible, while also building and sustaining systems that can effectively and efficiently address Veterans’ housing crises in the future.

The national data tell the same story of remarkable progress. Thanks to unwavering commitment and partnership at the federal, state, and local levels, we've reduced veteran homelessness by 47 percent in this country between 2010 and 2016—including a remarkable 17 percent reduction during 2015 alone—and achieved a 56 percent reduction in veterans experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

While we pause to celebrate our progress and the hope we have for an end to veteran homelessness nationwide, we know there is still much work to be done. Today the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness has offered up some essential strategies that have gotten us this far and identified some key priorities for the work ahead.

Join us in the fight to end veteran homelessness. We have demonstrated that it’s possible and will rely on you to help us realize this vision.

"We need to keep pushing forward until we are no longer asking how do we achieve this goal, but instead we’re asking how have we not? That’s the very least that we can do for our men and women in uniform."

First Lady Michelle Obama, January 21, 2016

We are thrilled to welcome Will aboard and are excited for him to continue the initiative’s work to support our Nation’s service members, veterans, and their families. Will succeeds Air Force Colonel Nicole Malachowski, who has returned to duty in the Pentagon after leading Joining Forces through a successful 5th anniversary year.

Will is an Army Field Artillery Officer, and during his 23 years of service has completed a series of strategic and operational assignments, supporting operations in the Middle East, South West Asia, and Central Asia. He has three combat deployments; two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan where he served as a Battalion Commander. 

Will has also served as an Army Congressional Fellow and as Deputy to the Army’s House Liaison Division, providing military-related assistance to all Members of the House of Representatives. Prior to his current position he also served as the North East United States and European Director on the Army Chief of Staff’s Soldier for Life Program. In that role he helped to connect Transitioning Soldiers, Veterans, and their Families to employment, educational, and healthcare opportunities through partnerships with federal, local, and state agencies, non-profits, Veteran and Military Service Organizations, and the private sector.

Will holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from the University of Richmond, VA., where he was commissioned through  the school’s ROTC program in 1993. He also earned Masters Degrees in: Criminal Justice from Armstrong University, Legislative Affairs from The George Washington University, and National Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School at National Defense University. Some of his awards and qualifications include the Bronze Star Medal (3rd award), the Meritorious Service Medal (6th award), the Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Action Badge, the Airborne and Air Assault Badge, and the Ranger Tab.

Will and his wife Jessy live in Virginia with their 9 year old son, Davis.

Community organizers, non-profit leaders, and policy advocates from all over the country shared their stories and spoke about the issues that uniquely affect transgender women of color. We heard from panelists on issues ranging from employment and economic opportunity, to family and intimate partner violence, to access to health care. These frank conversations helped to shine a light on the work left to be done, and possible community and government solutions.

Attendees also heard from Roy Austin Jr, Deputy Assistant to the President for the Office of Urban Affairs, Justice, and Opportunity, about the steps taken by the Administration to better protect the rights of transgender people, including LGBT-specific recommendations made in the report by the President’s Task Force for 21st Century Policing that urge police departments to foster better relationships with and better statistical reporting of the transgender community. Roy also spoke about the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, signed by President Obama in 2009, which expanded hate crimes law to include gender identity and sexual orientation and requires the FBI to publish statistics on hate crimes against transgender people.

I am proud to reflect on the historic steps this Administration has taken to afford greater protections for this community in just the past few months. Just yesterday, President Obama’s Executive Order on LGBT Workplace Discrimination went into effect, prohibiting federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. On April 3, the Department of Justice filed an important brief as part of ongoing litigation in Georgia that advocated that prison officials have the obligation to assess and treat gender dysphoria just as they would any other medical or health condition. On March 31, the CDC announced $185 million for grant opportunities for HIV prevention among transgender people and gay and bisexual men, with a particular focus on the unique needs of people of color. The Department of Housing and Urban Development issued new guidance in February designed to better serve LGBT Americans seeking to obtain a home loan and to ensure appropriate placement of transgender individuals in homeless shelters. And in December, Attorney General Eric Holder announced the Department of Justice’s position that the protections against sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 extend to claims of discrimination based on gender identity, including transgender status.

Despite these significant steps, there is more work to be done. Though Women’s History Month is over, I look forward to continuing conversations around the safety, health, and well-being of all women, including transgender women of color.

You should also read:

• We the People Petition Response: On Conversion Therapy
• Secretary Tom Perez: Another Step Toward Equality for LBGT Workers
• Valerie Jarrett: Protecting LBGT Workers Means Protecting All Workers

Before coming to work at the White House, I was a practicing lawyer and experienced first-hand what it was like to grapple with raising young children as a single mom. While I had a demanding job that included late nights and lots of travel, I had the good fortune to have the resources to have wonderful childcare in my home that I trusted and who were always available for me and my kids. And I was also able to take full advantage of technological advances, as I could put my kids to bed at night and then go back to writing legal briefs that I could fax back in the middle of the night, and later, I could send in through my computer when that became possible. (Yes, I am old enough to remember when there was no such thing as the internet or a laptop computer).

But I also know that I was one of the lucky ones: Millions of working parents in America do not have these advantages and instead are struggling to hold jobs that make ends meet, while worrying about who is taking care of their kids. Many people have to choose between a job and sick child or parent, and many give up a career they trained long and hard for in order to meet the needs of their families.

It’s time for our workplaces to adapt to that changing workforce – and that is why I am so excited to be a part of the team putting together the White House Summit on Working Families.

On June 23rd of this year, the Department of Labor and Center for American Progress are teaming up with the White House Council on Women and Girls to host the Summit, and throughout the next few months, we will engage with groups and individuals across the country to identify initiatives that benefit America’s working families, American businesses and the American economy, because as President Obama said in his State of the Union address, “When women succeed, America succeeds.”

On March 11, 2009, the President signed an Executive Order creating the White House Council on Women and Girls, in order to “ensure that each of the agencies in which they’re charged takes into account the needs of women and girls in the policies they draft, the programs they create and the legislation they support.” As Assistant to the President, Chief of Staff to the First Lady, and Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls, I am proud of all the work we have done on behalf of the women, girls, and families across the country, over these last five years, and I am determined to continue to push these issues forward. As a single, working mother, I know I am not alone when I say that I proud to be represented by a President, who understands the struggles that women and families are facing each and every day. 

And I am thrilled to be in Chicago today participating in the Chicago Regional Forum on Working Families – one of many that we’re hosting around the country leading up to June 23rd. Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President and Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls, Neera Tanden, President of the Center for American Progress, and I, along with workers, researchers, and elected officials are talking about the importance of the changing dynamics of work, and how we can all come together to create policies and work environments that suit the needs of working families today.

We know that workplaces that adjust for a 21st century workforce by ensuring equal pay for equal work, helping families meet their work and home obligations, and promoting fairness and good employer practices are key to businesses’ bottom lines, the strength of our economy, and our global competitiveness. I meet workers every day who tell me that if they just had a little more flexibility in their work schedules, felt supported by their workplaces, or that they wouldn’t be reprimanded for leaving early for a soccer game, for a recital, or just for dinner with their family, that they would be much more productive.

We recently held a roundtable with caregivers of wounded warriors, and we heard directly from those who care for our returning veterans that these issues affect them just as much as everyone else. They need flexibility at work in order to bring those that they care for to doctor’s appointments, and support from their bosses and companies to do so. Many businesses already see the competitive advantage of organizing work to ensure that women and workers with families succeed. They know policies that support women and families lead to more productive workers and help business attract and retain their best talent, all while improving their bottom line.

We have heard thoughts from workers and activists, CEOs and elected officials, on key issues like workplace flexibility and paid leave, equal pay, career advancement and opportunities for workers up and down the wage scale. We hope to lift up promising ideas and best practices of leading companies and we look forward to developing solutions for bringing such practices to scale, across industries and for all types of workers. Thanks so much for all your interest in these issues, which I know, and the President knows, are so close to everyone’s lives.

Go to www.workingfamiliessummit.org to sign up for updates on the Summit or sign up to attend a regional lead-up forum. Together we can create an environment in workplaces that benefit workplaces bottom lines, where women and men are more productive, and families have the flexibility and stability they need to thrive. We look forward to seeing you in June!

Related links:

• Get involved with the White House Summit on Working Families.
• Learn how the President is taking action to ensure equal pay for women.
• Get the facts on how raising the wage will help women succeed.
• Get an economic update on the state of women in the workforce.

Today, we are releasing a special video message from the First Lady in which she talks about being the first in her family to attend college. This video is part of the “I’m First” storytelling project, which lifts up the stories of first generation college students in order to inspire future generations.

As the First Lady says in her video, “no matter where you come from or how much money your family has, I want you to know that you can succeed in college, and get your degree, and then go on to build an incredible life for yourself.”

Transcript of the First Lady’s message:

Hi! My name is Michelle Obama and I’m first!

Neither of my parents graduated from college, so when I got to campus as a freshman, I’ll admit I was a little overwhelmed.  I didn’t know how to choose my classes or find the right classrooms. I didn’t even know how to furnish my own dorm room. In fact, when I moved in, I realized that I hadn’t even packed the right size sheets for my bed.  Mine were way too short. So that first night, I slept with my legs sticking out past the end of the sheets, rubbing up against one of those old plastic mattresses… and I ended up sleeping that way for my entire freshman year.

But here’s the thing – I may not have had the right sheets, but I learned pretty quickly that I had what it took to succeed in college. 

Sure, there were moments when I had doubts.  At first, I even worried that maybe I just wasn’t as smart as some of my classmates.  But soon enough I realized that that was all in my head.  I was just as smart as everyone else – and I had just as much to contribute – I just had to have the confidence to believe in myself and the determination to work hard and ask for help when I needed it.

So that’s my message to all of you – no matter where you come from or how much money your family has, I want you to know that you can succeed in college, and get your degree, and then go on to build an incredible life for yourself.

That’s been my life story, and my husband’s as well.  And if you’re willing to put in the time and the effort, I want you to know that it can be your story too. 

So I want to wish you the best of luck in the years ahead… I know you can do it.

Learn more:

• Taking Action to Expand College Opportunity
• First Lady Michelle Obama Hosts a Discussion on Education
• First Lady Michelle Obama Speaks on the Power of Education

To learn more about how the federal government can help you attend college, check out http://studentaid.gov/

Tina Tchen is Assistant to the President, Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama, and Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls.

You see, when Barack came into office,” she said, “one of the very first things he did was to set what he calls a North Star goal for America – that by the year 2020, the year that you all will be graduating from college, our country will have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.”

In her remarks, the First Lady spoke directly to young people about committing to their education so that they can create a better future for themselves, their communities, and their country. She also shared some of her personal academic experiences to illustrate her belief that circumstances do not define your future, but rather your attitude.

“My parents didn’t have much money, and they never went to college themselves, but they had an unwavering belief in the power of education, and they always pushed me and my brother to do whatever it took to succeed in school." 

“I knew that the first thing I needed to do was to have the strongest academic record possible… so I worked hard to get the best grades that I possibly could in all my classes.  I got involved in leadership opportunities in school, where I developed close relationships with teachers and administrators. I knew I needed to present very solid and thoughtful college applications… so I stayed up late at night working on my college essays and personal statements.  I knew my parents would not be able to pay for all of my tuition… so I made sure I applied for financial aid on time.  And when I encountered doubters…when people told me that I wasn’t going to cut it… I didn’t let that stop me."

After the First Lady’s remarks, she joined Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan for a conversation with sophomores, who represent the college class of 2020. BET moderators Jeff Johnson and Keshia Chante facilitated the discussion and encouraged students to discuss their goals and aspirations, challenges and concerns as they contemplate and prepare for higher education. The conversation was a listening session in which the First Lady and Secretary Duncan could hear first-hand the valuable perspective of these sophomores as they contemplate and prepare for higher education.

First Lady Michelle Obama greets students after participating in a conversation with the 10th-grade class at Bell Multicultural High School in Washington, D.C., Nov. 12, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

The First Lady and Secretary Duncan also shared a few resources to help students navigate the sometimes tricky college application process. They suggested exploring studentaid.gov  to learn more about what it takes academically and financially to go to college. Other great resources include the College Scorecard and the Financial Aid Shopping Sheet , tools that provide students and families with easy-to-understand information about colleges and institutions of higher education.  These tools help students choose schools that are well-suited to meet their needs, priced affordably, and consistent with their educational and career goals.

First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks on youth empowerment at a “Joint Luncheon Meeting: Working Together to Address Youth Violence in Chicago,” hosted by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in Chicago, Ill., April 10, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

First Lady Michelle Obama today brought a room filled with Chicago business and community leaders to tears as she challenged them to commit to the most important unfinished work of our lifetime -- widening the circle of opportunity for every last one of our children.

Mrs. Obama was in Chicago to address the Public Safety Action Committee, a new private-sector effort launched by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to address the violent crime that is taking a terrible toll on the youth of the great city she and I both call home.

As the First Lady pointed out, thousands of Chicago children are now living in neighborhoods where a funeral for a teenager is considered unfortunate, but not unusual; where wandering onto the wrong block or even just standing on your own front porch can mean putting yourself at risk.

This needs to change. In Chicago and across the country, we need to create ladders of opportunity for our young people. We need to give our children mentors who push them and nurture them. We need to teach them the life-skills they need to succeed. We need to give them alternatives to gangs and drugs – safe places where they can learn something and stay out of trouble. Every single child -- in cities like Chicago and all across America -- has boundless promise, no matter where he or she lives. 

And as Mrs. Obama told the leaders in the room today, giving our kids the chance to fulfill that promise and grow into productive adults who lead meaningful lives – that’s on us. “That’s our job,” she said.

You all are here today because you know that this is about more than just fulfilling a business obligation or a civic obligation…you know that this is a moral obligation. Because ultimately, this city and this community will be judged not just by the beauty of our parks and lakefront, or the vitality of our businesses, but by our commitment to our next generation.
 
I think my husband put it best when he spoke to the people of Newtown, Connecticut back in December, and he said – and this is his quote: “This is our first task, caring for our children. It’s our first job. 
 
If we don’t get that right, we don’t get anything right. That’s how, as a society, we will be judged. 
 
And by that measure, can we truly say, as a nation, that we’re meeting our obligations?

Mrs. Obama urged the leaders of Chicago to come together and do something worthy of our children’s futures, and to show them -- not with words but with action - that they are not alone in the struggle to fulfill their potential. We need to show them that we believe in them, and we need to give them everything they need to believe in themselves. And we need to remember that this is going to take a serious and sustained investment over a very long period of time. As Mrs. Obama said, "This is forever."

It’s a challenge that makes sense for leaders in communities across our country to embrace. Our kids deserve no less.

You can watch Michelle Obama's complete remarks below or on YouTube:

This Friday, April 6th, the White House Council on Women and Girls is hosting a Forum on Women and the Economy. President Obama will deliver remarks at the Forum to highlight ways the Administration has helped create economic security for women and recognizes that women are key to economic growth and competitiveness. Starting at 8:30 a.m. EDT, the half-day forum will also include a panel discussion with Senior Administration officials, followed by breakout sessions on: Women at Work, Education, Health, Women’s Entrepreneurship, and Violence Against Women and Girls (check out the complete Forum schedule below).

People from across the country can watch the event live at www.wh.gov/live. During the Forum, Administration officials will answer questions from a live audience and also take questions submitted through a form on WhiteHouse.gov and via Twitter with the hashtag #WomenEconForum.

Here's how you can participate:

• Right now, you can ask the White House your questions about women and the economy through a web form or on Twitter with the hashtag #WomenEconForum
• On Friday, April 6th from 8:45 a.m. EDT to 12:30 p.m. EDT watch the forum live at wh.gov/live. President Obama will deliver remarks at 10:15 a.m. EDT.
• Join the discussion live on Twitter and follow what others are saying with the hashtag #WomenEconForum
• If you miss the live event, the full video will be posted on WhiteHouse.gov

We hope you can join us. Here's the full schedule:

• 8:45AM-8:55AM: Chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls Valerie Jarrett delivers opening remarks
• 8:55AM-9:50AM: Women and the Economy Panel
  • Moderator: Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC’s Morning Joe
  • Panelists: Director of the National Economic Council Gene Sperling; Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Karen Mills; CEO of Deloitte Joe Echevarria; Princeton University Lawrence and Shirley Katzman and Lewis and Anna Ernst Professor in the Economics of Education and Professor of Economics and Public Affairs, Cecilia Rouse.
• 10:15AM-10:30AM: President Obama delivers remarks
• 10:45AM-11:45AM: Breakout Sessions
  • Education Breakout: Moderated by Director of the Domestic Policy Council, Cecilia Munoz and President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Shirley Ann Jackson
  • Women at Work Breakout: Moderated by Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Katharine Abraham, Member of the Council of Economic Advisors
  • Women’s Entrepreneurship Breakout: Moderated by Treasury Under Secretary for Domestic Finance Mary Miller and Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls Tina Tchen
  • Healthcare Breakout: Moderated by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius and Deputy Assistant to the President on Health Policy Jeanne Lambrew
  • Violence Against Women and Girls Breakout: Moderated by Attorney General Eric Holder and White House Advisor on Domestic Violence Lynn Rosenthal
• 12:00PM-12:30PM: Closing Plenary with online Q&A. Ask questions on Twitter with the hashtag #WomenEconForum or through a form on WhiteHouse.gov.

Last year, I was honored to attend the event where Valerie Jarrett participated in parts of the Conference’s A Woman's Nation: The Status of the American Woman panel. There she represented the Council on Women and Girls and discussed our efforts to improve workplace flexibility both in the federal government and the private sector.

We are excited that the Administration can be a part of this important event again and we encourage you to participate as well! 

You can learn more by reading First Lady Michelle Obama’s remarks as well as Dr. Jill Biden’s remarks or watching the video below.

Tina Tchen is Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and Executive Director of the Council on Women and Girls

Yesterday, I participated in events for the Fortune Most Powerful Women’s Summit - held for the first time ever in Washington, D.C.! The Summit included over 500 women leaders from business, government, philanthropy, media, education, and the arts. I started the evening at a Minute Mentoring session with 75 impressive high school girls from across the Washington, DC area. This lively group of girls was selected because they submitted applications where they were asked to write about their career aspirations. During the mentoring session, I got to spend one-on-one time with the girls, answering their questions, offering support and providing advice. They were remarkable young women! 

After the mentoring session, the girls and I were off to the Fortune dinner. This event was attended by incredible women - including a number of senior level women from our Administration. President Obama keynoted the event and talked about the efforts we are undertaking to rebuild our economy, and the importance of women in business and the workforce. The President highlighted the 75 young women leaders and listed some of their career aspirations – "cultural anthropologist", "classical singer", "U.S. Senator" and a "professional race car driver". He spoke eloquently about the steps that the Administration has taken to support their dreams and make women and girls a priority. The President addressed more broadly our efforts on behalf of small businesses, our efforts to train and educate workers, make our workplace more flexible, and make America more competitive. It was a special evening and an important statement about the Administration's commitment to women and girls. 

Members of the audience stand and applaud as President Barack Obama arrives to address the 2010 Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit at the Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., Oct. 5, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

Tina Tchen is Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement and Executive Director of the Council on Women and Girls