Executive Order 10925

From Equality Talk Wiki

John F. Kennedy's March 6, 1961 Executive Order 10925 was the first in a series of Executive Orders, and initiated the use of the term "affirmative action". Nonetheless, the order defines such steps as being used to ensure equal opportunity "without regard to race.

Two key passages:

WHEREAS it is the plain and positive obligation of the United States Government to promote and ensure equal opportunity for all qualified persons, without regard to race, creed, color, or national origin, employed or seeking employment with the Federal Government and on government contracts; .. SECTION 201. The President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity established by this order is directed immediately to scrutinize and study employment practices of the Government of the United States, and to consider and recommend additional affirmative steps which should be taken by executive departments and agencies to realize more fully the national policy of nondiscrimination within the executive branch of the Government.

The entire text can be found here.