Now that we have stepped solidly into the 21st century, placing our hands on the arc of history and moving it toward progress and equality, I have three requests of our next president.

First, let's really honor diversity. President Obama can take a giant leap in that direction by taking a page from Bill Clinton, appointing women and racial and ethnic minorities to one-half of his cabinet posts. In Clinton's second term, 52 percent of these posts were filled by women and minorities.

Second, the new president needs to create a Presidential Commission on Women, a post first created by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to examine the challenges and obstacles faced by America's women and devise practical, policy-oriented solutions. Women have made tremendous strides in 40 years, but today they face new and more complex struggles: growing wage disparity, shrinking job opportunities in non-traditional jobs and careers, Social Security and pension inequities, increased poverty, and discrimination in health care costs and coverage. When we address inequities like these for women, all boats are lifted.

The third step President Obama can take is to enact the Platform for Progress, a five-pronged policy platform to support  women in the workplace, build economic security, improve women's health and education, and provide equal rights for all.

Women represent 51 percent of our nation's population, yet their concerns and needs are too often put off or ignored in the larger policy discussions and agendas. President Obama has a unique and historic opportunity to change this. We will all be better for it if he does.