Politics. On Point.

The White House put out a statement honoring International Women's Day, a day where women around the world are recognized for their contributions to advance a civil society.  ADVERTISEMENT CMB BUSINESS SOLUTIONS   THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 8, 2017 Statement from the Press Secretary in Honor of International Women’s Day International Women’s Day gives us the opportunity to celebrate and reflect upon the meaningful progress women have made throughout society, while also acknowledging that there is still much work that remains to be done to ensure the complete and consequential participation of women in all spheres of economic, political, and public life. Throughout our history, women have made enormous contributions in the service of our country, and we know that as a Nation, America will only become stronger, more prosperous, and better able to meet our shared goals, as women achieve greater access to a level ...

You know it's the Christmas holiday season in Washington when the official White House Christmas tree makes its arrival. On Friday First Lady Michelle Obama, accompanied by her two young nephews Austin and Aaron Robinson, graciously accepted the last Christmas tree of her tenure. The tree made its way up to the North Portico of the White House by a horse-drawn carriage flanked with a sign on the both sides that read, White House Christmas Tree 2016, while a military quartet played, O', Christmas Tree. It isn't an elaborate ceremony by any stretch of the imagination, lasting just under ten minutes, but still delights reporters and guests who get an up close view of the first family and first dogs Bo and Sunny. FLOTUS walks toward White House after accepting this year's Christmas tree with her young nephews Aaron and Austin Robinson. Photo/CD Brown. Past Christmas tree receptions have always featured Obama daughters Sasha and Malia. The girls opted out ...

It's no surprise that Michelle Obama is championing the cause for education for all girls.  Even with the prestigious title of First Lady of the United States (or FLOTUS) and mom to first daughters Malia and Sasha Obama, she will tell you that she's a mom (in chief)  - first.  Understanding that education is the key to the success of girls, everywhere, she has teamed up with the Peace Corps, and other government agencies, to spread the word about 'Let Girls Learn' , an initiative to expand access to education for girls around the world. First Lady Michelle Obama talks to young women at a 'Let Girls Learn' event in Washington.  Photo/CD Brown. Adolescent girls with an education are more likely to earn a better living for herself, her family and community. The fact is, girls with a secondary education - in particular - are more likely to marry later, have children later in life, have lower birth rates and lower infant mortality rates and low rat...

Statement by National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice, on the Death of Nelson Mandela   "Today, we have lost one of history’s great leaders. I extend my deepest condolences to the Mandela family and to the government and people of South Africa, the Republic that President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela helped free from the cruelty and hatred of apartheid and forged anew into a rainbow nation of hope and healing. I will always cherish the honor and memory of knowing him.   Even as we mourn, we remember how privileged the world was to witness the transformation he wrought by changing minds and hearts. He was apartheid’s captive but never its prisoner, and he rid the world of one of history’s foulest evils by hewing to universal principles for which he hoped to live but was prepared to die. Let us celebrate Madiba’s life by rededicating ourselves to the values and hopes he embodied: reconciliation and justice, freedom and equality, democracy and human rights, an honest reckoni...

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  First Lady Michelle Obama talks with students from William R. Harper High School in Chicago, Ill., in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, June 5, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy) LINK   In April, the First Lady addressed a joint luncheon in Chicago, IL hosted by Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Mrs. Obama urges Chicago’s business and civic leaders to invest in expanded opportunities for young people in neighborhoods throughout the city. Following the event, the First Lady met with a small group of students and counselors at William R. Harper High School to hear firsthand about their experiences. After extending an invitation to the students, the First Lady met with them at the White House.   At the time of her speech in April, Harper High School, a Chicago public school, was profoundly affected by gun violence including 29 current or former students who were shot in the past year; 8 of them died.   Video from the First Lady’s...

When you talk about "karma", items coming "full circle", or the saying "what goes around comes back around", you can appreciate the historic visit by Michelle Obama to the DC's Decatur House, just a short block from where the first African American First Lady of the United States resides. First Lady Michelle made a stop to the historic home that slaves built, worked and lived in to deliver an endowment to the preservation of the historic landmark. First Lady Michelle Obama speaks with children during a Decatur House visit. The endowment was a gift from American Express, presented by the company's African American CEO, Kenneth Chenault. The Decatur House is now a National Trust for Historic Preservation Site and home to the David M. Rubenstein National Center for White House History.  The restoration project was made possible by a contribution to the White House Historical Association by American Express.    During her visit the ...

In a conference call to the media members this afternoon (where she began by remembering the victims of the Aurora, Colorado movie massacre), First Lady Michelle Obama laid out the plans for her visit as head of the Presidential Delegation to the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games.  ** UPDATE **  See pictures of the First Lady in London. "I am beyond proud to lead the Olympic delegation.  It's a dream come true", she exclaimed.  The first lady recounted watching the Olympics when she was growing up saying she "watched and cheered" for the US athletes. As head of the Olympic Delegation Mrs. Obama will get to meet first hand with 2012 US Olympic teams and athletes.  She will also visit the U.S. Olympic Training Facility at University of East London. "Being an Olympian is about pushing yourself, and believing in yourself, and refusing to give up", Mrs. Obama said. The First Lady is working to turn the inspiration of the Olympic...

We have a very descriptive pool report that comes from Christina Wilkie of HuffPost on this afternoon's Joining Forces event with First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. The two ladies helped celebrate Mother's Day with military families and their children. The report, modified for story line and content by POP, reads below as follows. At the Naval Observatory today First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden hosted a Joining Forces service activity with congressional spouses where they assembled Mothers Day care packages that will be sent to the wives and mothers of deployed military, at the request of the soldiers. The event comes a day after FLOTUS attended the annual Congressional Club lunch for spouses of House and Senate members. This is the third time she has invited them to join her for a service activity the day after the lunch, and marks FLOTUS's first visit to the Naval Observatory. Outside in the sun under a white USO tent were ap...

The First Lady stopped Children's National Hospital today were she visited the center's Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery and the Intestinal Rehabilitation Unit, meeting with patients and families and hospital staff. First Lady gets escorted by 8 year old Romauld Vital. While there she read the Christmas favorite, 'Twas The Night Before Christmas' to a group of energetic, and inquisitive young people. Afterwards, (here's where the real fun starts) she took questions from the group.  Some of the questions asked were what she gives the president for Christmas and what she eats for Christmas dinner. Mrs. Obama reads 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. One of our favorite reactions to the First Lady's answer went like this, from 'Alex': Q    What does your family like to eat on Christmas?      MRS. OBAMA:  "What do we like to eat on Christmas?  Sometimes we have turkey, sometimes we have stea...

Our First Lady, Michelle Obama, continues to stay busy.  In this episode of 'Keeping of With The First Lady' we've highlighted some of the activities she's participated this week, as well as give you a peek inside her upcoming schedule. For starters, the First Lady made a cameo appearance in an edition of Extreme Makeover : Home Edition that aired last evening. Next we find her looking fabulous at this year's Congressional Black Caucus Phoenix Awards Dinner on Saturday evening.    Read below for these events, and more. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition First Lady Michelle Obama traveled to Fayetteville, North Carolina to join Extreme Makeover: Home Edition as they build a dream home for an African American woman veteran, Barbara Marshall and her family. Barbara Marshal had a 15 year career in the Navy but her service to her country didn't stop there. Marshall went on to combat homelessness among female veterans and military families in the Fayetteville ...

I probably shouldn't write this, but many say I favor First Lady Michelle Obama (just a tad).  I can't tell you how many times, no matter where I am, I've received that remark.  (I should really call it a compliment to be compared to someone as fabulous as our First Lady). Now, thanks to Margina Graham Parker , author of the children's book, 'I Am Michelle Obama: The  First Lady', girls around the world can see themselves being just like our First Lady. The cover of the book depicts a young, African American girl looking in the mirror at herself and seeing First Lady Michelle Obama. In an interview with AMEZion.org Parker explained how the book came to be. “This book started out as a poem", said Parker. "I was on my way to work one when the words hit me. I was so overwhelmed I had to pull the car over to write the words down. Each stanza is a glimpse of the accomplished life of our First Lady, presented in a rhythm that ...

First Lady Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia were on hand for last night's Washington Kastles vs. Boston Lobsters WTT tennis contest. First Ladies enjoying a little Washington Kastles tennis. Photo/CD Brown. The girls, and mom, cheered on the team headlined by tennis great, Serena Williams. Last year Williams was to hold a tennis clinic at the White House for a South Lawn Series event, but the event was canceled because of rain.   There was no rain last evening, however, and the Kastles defeated the Lobsters 25-10. White House chef, Sam Kass was also on hand to see the Kastles in action. To see more photos from last night's fun, see our sports page here .

The First Lady continues her exercise regime, and her Let's Move! message, while in South Africa, this time including one of the world's most beloved diplomatic figure, Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The First Lady, at a youth soccer camp, does pushups with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In her remarks to youth at a youth soccer camp at Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa, the First Lady said, "But I want to just make sure that we acknowledge all of the organizations who are responsible for supporting and educating and inspiring these young people, because in order to be a VSP (Very Special Person, how Tutu described the First Lady), you’ve got to be, what?, a VHP, a Very Healthy Person, right? Which means you’ve got to have the knowledge and the internal wisdom to make sure you’re taking care of yourself and that you’re making good choices so that you’re healthy and you grow up strong, because it’s hard to have an impact if you’re not in the best condition possible...