Michelle Obama And Hillary Clinton Present International Women Of Courage Awards (VIDEO) (PHOTOS)

***Scroll down for video and slideshow.***

Late Wednesday afternoon, after Barack Obama announced the creation of a White House Council for Women and Girls, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama presented the State Department's Award for International Women of Courage to "seven female activists from Afghanistan, Guatemala, Iraq, Malaysia, Niger, Russia and Uzbekistan who have fought to end discrimination and inequality."

Secretary Clinton, by way of introduction, applauded Michelle Obama's "grace and wisdom" and called her "an inspiration to women and girls not only in the United States but around the world," and then reminded the audience that "the status of women and girls is a key indicator of whether progress is possible in a society."

The AP reports:

Mrs. Obama returned the compliment, thanking Clinton her service and dedication to improving living conditions for women and girls.

"As women, we must stand up for ourselves," she said. "As women, we must stand up for reach other. As women, we must stand up for justice for all."

SLIDESHOW:

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama share a moment after announcing the recipients of the Women of Courage award in honor of International Women's Day.

WATCH:

Related:

Obama Announces White House Panel For Women and Girls

Comments

[mi]

Hillary just keeps getting better.
She has my highest admiration for her
courage and generosity.

[mywordisgospel]

I am a man and I too love what these two women represent, especially when they appear together and look like they are genuinely fond and respectful of each other.

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

The woman on the far right is so beautiful! I adore that scarf.

[rachel88]

Extraordinary, inspiring women all of them.

[PostSusan]

Michelle IS tall, 5'11" -- and you notice that while she wears flats a lot of the time, she wears heels often as well? Making her as tall as her husband, and he seems not to be threatened by that. Yay!

[NyPrincess]

Very beautiful. HORRAY for women!

[JMBrodie]

Indeed. And nice to see two women I admire, and two women my daughter admires on the same stage. Brava!,

[ChelseaC]

Michelle and Hillary SHINE!

[7granny]

Here's my definition for women of courage. They're the wifes & mothers who get up each day take care of their kids, their home & their outside job. They are the women who cut coupons to make their grocery money stretch. They volunteer at their schools or church & never expect to see their names in the headlines about all the good they do. They are the women who go out there on a daily basis & walk the walk not just talk the talk. They along with their husbands are the backbone of this nation. These are the people that need to be honored but they never will be because they are just regular eveyday citizens living their lives & raising their kids to the best of their ability. God Bless them!!!

[lady49]

Gees Granny,
I do all those things you listed- and I know that I'm fabulous because of it.
-BUT-
Will any of us put our lives in danger to help others! Or risk safety to fight for the ideals of freedom and human rights??
I think not---
Just enjoy the moment and applaud our nation's female leaders for making this a "huge" oublic event so that we have an idea of what is going on globally with our sisters!
Stay positive- Be blessed- We in America live in the greatest country in the world. We should take the lead in this discourse!

[ChelseaC]

Lady49,
Well said.

[sabiansajanita]

Very well said

[lady49]

public

[hortonhearsawho2]

Is that graham fella from S.C. up for inclusion....

[mamacat]

Two absolutely fabulous women, but I would have liked to see Speaker Pelosi there as well. She has the honor of holding the highest office any woman in our nation's history has ever been elected to, and she is doing a fantastic job. All three women deserve our respect.

[GunneraGirl]

this is the first time i've noticed our president is left-handed!!

yay! lefties rule!

[ChelseaC]

Yay! I'm a lefty too!!

[GBO]

Michelle is tall!!!!

[hortonhearsawho2]

out of ur coma, is it....

[lippy33]

These two rock!! Love 'em both. They speak with authority and seem comfortable in their own skin. What a difference they are making in their roles compared to the women who filled them previously. Not to be mean, but c'mon, big improvement!!!!!!!

[berrycooda]

Wonder what they are really thinking....

Hillary - I should be in the White house.

Michelle- we won...didn't we...

[ChelseaC]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[kellygrrrl]

Awesome! Glad to see my neighbor Lisa was there. Hope all these wonderful women enjoyed the day.

[sylblackstone]

A wonderful day for women!
Remember 30 some years ago in the U.S. when woman aged 16 - 25 were called "chicks" and women 25-100 were all called "girls". There were no women. Just chicks and girls. Until the "women's movement" in the early '70s. The feminist movement in the early 20th century was for "female suffrage". It's getting better for "women". And when it gets better for women it gets better for the world.