Melania Trump emerges to attend Women of Courage ceremony

Melania Trump emerges to attend Women of Courage ceremony



NEWS: goo.gl/a3kAcQ



First Lady Melania Trump made a rare public appearance today at the State Department at an event honoring 'International Women of Courage.'

'I am deeply humbled to be here today to honor these 12 remarkable and inspirational women, who have given so much for so many, regardless of the unimaginable threat to their own personal safety.'

Among the honorees were women from Iraq, Yemen and Syria, countries included in President Trump's original travel ban. The second iteration left Iraq off.





'Together, we must declare that the era of allowing the brutality against women and children is over while affirming that the time for empowering women around the world is now,' the First Lady said.

'For wherever women are diminished, the entire world is diminished with them. However, wherever women are empowered, towns and villages, schools and economies are empowered, and together we are all made stronger with them,' she continued.

Melania Trump talked about some of the horrors the honorees have faced: domestic abuse, gender bias, violence, terrorism, war, corruption and government oppression.

'Let us try to envision ourselves in their place, struggling with gender bias and discriminatory loss, which serves to protect the perpetrators of unthinkable crimes, while punishing their victims should they even dare to speak out,' the FLOTUS said.

'Ask yourself if you would have the fortitude of spirit, the courage of your convictions and the enormous inner strength required to stand up and fight against such an overwhelming odds,' she continued.

'Amazingly, each of our honorees have courageously answered "yes" to those questions for it is their strength and the strength of others like them which will ignite a global battle against inhumanity,' the first lady added.

Mrs. Trump said the United States needed to send a clear message to the world that 'we are watching' and explained the importance of shining a light on victories achieved by women around the globe.

'I believe that bravery is the ability to live one's life refusing to be discouraged, and instead, choosing a life of purpose,' the first lady said, noting how the 12 recipients of the award fit this mold.

She also had a message for the young people in the audience.

'I ask you to allow the triumphs exemplified by these heroic women to inspire you in your own lives and to remind yourself that you, too, are capable of greatness,' she said. 'I urge you to not be afraid to fail. As failure will never have the power to define you as long as you learn from it.'

'As you go forward, remember their journeys, push ahead and strive to bring about a better community, a better country and a better world in an ongoing fight for right over might,' she advised.

She was introduced at the event at State by Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas A. Shannon, who brought up a number of her charitable causes, while noting that she planned to take on the issue of cyber bullying as first lady.



Besides bringing up the issue at a speech outside of Philadelphia directly before the election, Melania Trump has yet to make any moves to signal that she plans to still make cyber bullying her cause.

State would absorb major budget cuts to its program under President Trump's budget. Funding would be cut by 29 percent, second only to the EPA in reductions it would absorb.

The award is in its 11th year. It has recognized 100 women, and is 'meant to showcase and support a group of women who put their personal safety and sometimes lives at risk in order to help improve their communities,' according to the White House.

The presentation of an award can send a political message.

In 2014, First Lady Michelle Obama was there to award Eurovision singer Ruslana Lyzhychko of Ukraine. She is a civil society activist, human rights advocate and a leader of Ukraine's Maidan movement for democratic reform.

The U.S. imposed sanctions on Russia in 2014 for its invasion of Ukraine.

The first lady appeared in Washington last night too, at a White House dinner with senators and their spouses.

The first lady brought her flare for style, as it appeared she was wearing a $2,390 Whistler stretch-crepe dress designed by Roland Mouret.

She issued a statement saying she plans to continue hosting lawmakers.



'It was my great pleasure to open the doors of the White House to these esteemed members of the United States Senate, along with their spouses and invited guests,' she said.

'This is the people's house and I intend to continue the tradition of hosting the elected officials who work alongside my husband to serve the American people.'

The first lady's public appearance comes after the announcement the first lady has hired a new communications director, Stephanie Grisham, who traveled with reporters during her husband's campaign.

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