Washington -- President Barack Obama has created a White House council to advise him on issues facing women and girls.

Obama on Wednesday said the nation must work to make sure its daughters and granddaughters have every opportunity to succeed. Obama says he watched his single mother raise his family and his grandmother denied promotions at her job. The president says his administration should help women facing challenges like that.

Obama named senior adviser Valerie Jarrett to head the group, and says official Tina Tchen (CHEN) will run its day-to-day operations. Members of the Cabinet will serve with the panel as well.

The announcement comes as part of the administration's push to mark Women's History Month.

AP/Expatica