| | Obamas celebrate women's achievements United Press International
03/09/2010
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WASHINGTON - The White House Monday honored women first lady Michelle Obama said were some of the most accomplished -- and some of the most low-key -- in U.S. history.
"But we're here today not just to pay tribute to leaders and icons and household names," she said during an International Women's Day reception. "During Women's History Month we're also here to honor the quiet heroes who've shaped this country from the very beginning. We honor the women who traveled those lonely roads to be the first ones in those courtrooms, to be the first ones in those boardrooms, to be the first ones on those playing fields, and to be the first ones on those battlefields."
While honoring women's accomplishments in all walks of life, Obama asked that "we recommit ourselves to carrying on their work for our own daughters and granddaughters, and also for our sons and our grandsons, too."
The reception honored actress Kerry Washington, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Afghan singer Mozdah Jamalzadah and singer Katharine McPhee.
President Barack Obama said the story of America's women parallels the story of America, with peaks and valleys showing an upward curve.
"That upward curve -- what we call progress -- didn't happen by accident," he said. "It came about because of daring, indomitable women."
Obama noted what the United States is doing to help advance women's causes worldwide, as well. Among other things, he noted his administration lifted a global gag rule restricting women's access to family planning services abroad while pursuing a global health strategy investing in child and maternal health. The United States also sponsored U.N. resolution to increase protection for women and girls in conflict-torn countries.
"We're doing all of this not only because promoting women's empowerment is one of the best ways to promote economic development and economic success," he said. "We are doing it because it's the right thing to do."
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