Esther peterson, head of the women's bureau, proposed to president kennedy that he form a commission on the status of women because she wanted to

Esther Peterson proposed to President John F. Kennedy that he form a commission on the status of women primarily because she wanted to address and resolve the issues of gender inequality and discrimination faced by women in the workforce and society at large. She recognized that despite some progress, women continued to face significant barriers to full economic and social equality, including wage disparities, lack of employment opportunities, and inadequate support for working mothers. Peterson believed that a Presidential Commission could study these issues, raise public awareness, and recommend policies to promote equality and justice for women.

Extra: Esther Peterson was an important advocate for women's rights in the 20th century. She served as the Executive Vice Chairman of the President's Commission on the Status of Women, which was established by President Kennedy in 1961. The commission's work was groundbreaking because it officially acknowledged and brought to the forefront the systemic discrimination against women in America. The final report, published in 1963, titled "American Women," highlighted the legal, social, and economic obstacles faced by women and made recommendations for changes, including fair hiring practices, paid maternity leave, and child care services. This commission was a significant moment in the women's rights movement, as it helped set the stage for subsequent legislation aimed at gender equality, such as the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which, among other provisions, outlawed sex-based discrimination.