Girls' Night In: Michelle Obama Hosts Dinner For Daughters, Students, Celebrities (PHOTOS)

On Thursday afternoon, Michelle Obama and her celebrity guests discussed career goals with students at Anacostia High School and high schools all over the Washington, D.C. area to celebrate Women's History Month. Read more and see pictures of that visit here.

Later that evening the first lady held a dinner at the White House for 110 local high school girls.

From AP:

"You guys are future leaders of this nation," Mrs. Obama told her guests in the East Room. "And we're counting on you. In so many ways, we're counting on you. So the question is: Are you ready?"

She told the young women they must respect themselves and each other, and that each of them is special and could learn from the female leaders. She was joined by her mother, Marian Robinson, and her two daughters who "never want to do anything with me," Obama joked.

Her message was simple: "Go for it. Don't hesitate. Don't act in fear. Just go for it."

SLIDESHOW:

• • • • • First lady Michelle Obama hosts a Women's History Month dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 19th.

Comments

[kshawNCvoter]

05:40 PM on 03/23/2009

i have been searching for the full video clip of this event. i hve seen bits and pieces, looks very nice.

[ragefortruth]

12:12 AM on 03/23/2009

Are you freaking serious? The lady looks very well here and in good taste. Plus she's still a young woman. Some folks just can't keep their bias from showing. Can't we?

[Mrspleats]

03:47 PM on 03/22/2009

Michelle is fantastic and brilliant I do think however that she is not conscious of how she stands - a little leg closing would seem more appropriate -look at all the other women.Someone needs to tell her

[Pleneras]

04:14 PM on 03/22/2009

I agree. I hope she stays away from too many big belts over shirts.

[SNTN]

09:28 PM on 03/22/2009

Please - she's wearing pants. She was not standing inappropriately in any way. She is fantastic, and I hope she continues to show us the warmth and charm we've needed for so long from someone so high profile.

[simcha]

12:59 PM on 03/22/2009

Michelle Obama is an accomplished, strong, beautiful woman. That she has immediately encouraged the local children and young people of her "new community", (love that!) to come to the White House, her WH garden plans.... etc., etc. When have Americans had anyone who came close to Michelle when it comes to First Lady? Never I think. Substance, and more substance.

Having these other accomplished women come to the WH and participate in Michelle's vision for a more inclusive WH is just inspiring. It is a brilliant way to begin to help the disenfranchised or marginalized be included. The ripple effect could be enormous.

The Repub/Retreads will continue to whinge, hyperventilate and wave smelling salts under their collective noses as they breathlessly pretend to expect the sky to fall.
They are in a small minority of ignorant fat cats who do not want this exceptional couple to succeed. Your polls show them to be in a minority. They are hard to ignore as their more bellicose members yap incessantly, but occasionally it is helpful to ignore them. Noise.

[acecat]

11:59 PM on 03/21/2009

Girls are so mean to each other--and why? Jealousy, envy, being different, anything. And it's tragic because the power of women that respect other women and join together is enormous! Girls need to be taught at an early age that other girls can be their biggest asset and that tearing each other down is just not appropriate. I truly comment Michelle Obama for discussing the value of women united. I hope the girls there took her words to heart! C'mon girls--let's get together!!

As an aside, what's the deal with the piano at the White House?? That thing is just plain TACKY!! Surely they can find a piano that's better than that thing!

[kapalabhati]

10:42 AM on 03/22/2009

That "tacky" White House piano bags a fair bit of history, Acecat.
http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/furnishings/piano.htm

As an aside, can I say how much I admire Michelle Obama? Everything about her exudes class, confidence, and keen intelligence, but she is also so down to Earth. I recently heard a story of her sitting on the floor courtside at a Sidwell Friends girls' basketball game cheering on the team. Somehow I just can't picture Laura Bush doing that....

[FourSordidRms]

12:12 AM on 03/23/2009

Very cool link about the WH pianos, kapalabhati. Thank you for posting it.

[oscartucker]

02:44 PM on 03/24/2009

Thanks for this link; I shall pass it on to friends.

[Midnightrain]

12:02 PM on 03/22/2009

You're right on about the collective power of women. We do spend an enormous amount of time and energy pulling each other down, sadly enough.

[DeloresT]

11:39 PM on 03/21/2009

I don't know about special olympics, but I do believe that SailFree rode the short bus to school. By the way, I don't recall a lot of negative comments on this site regarding Laura Bush. It was Georgie who received our comments.

[deepintheheartoftejas]

05:52 PM on 03/21/2009

That's one gaudy piano in the background of that picture.

[metivo]

11:34 AM on 03/22/2009

That's been there for a long time. I think it's a custom-made Steinway. However, the gold leaf was added I believe sometime in the 80s. Before that, the eagles/legs were natural wood finish.

[chronic]

02:55 PM on 03/21/2009

So when will the next r!ght w!ng jealous man/girl start complaining about the First Lady's shoulders?

[elizlucinda]

02:40 PM on 03/21/2009

Is there a place where we can send the trolls that are spewing all these negative comments?

[KNadine]

04:26 PM on 03/21/2009

There spewing represents jealousy. Ignore them.

[julianna]

07:29 PM on 03/21/2009

Flaggem' and move on.

[misty1]

02:15 PM on 03/21/2009

I saw this on TV and I was never so proud of all the celebrities who appeared for this event
this is what the First Lady was born to do sometimes it does not take much to turn a young or
a older persons life around these kind of events inspire people to do their very best.

Some peope are upset at what the Obamas are trying to do please remember that the First lady
and the president are not phoney nor are they out of touch with the realities of the world and that's
a great thing. There are so many people even people in congress who have no clue as to
what's going on around them there are poeple who need jobs need health care and some
who just need someone like the First lady to encourage them to go after their dreams and don't be afraid. I applaud their efforts. In addition I myself have never stayed up late to watch Leno or
waited for a presidential address since Bill Clinton was in office.. This president is very
popular among thousands and I hope it continues for 8 years. To my president and my
first lady keep doing what you are doing the public is watching and its great. Just remember
just because something has never been done by a sitting president or first lady does not
mean it can't be done by you. Love ya.

[maikonen]

01:26 PM on 03/21/2009

The President and First Lady should take care lest they suffer from overexposure. The public is definitely going to grow weary of their incessant appearances. It's called overkill. Their publicists must be aware of this!

[TstormVA]

01:44 PM on 03/21/2009

Hmm. Supporting education, career women and advocating better eating habits by planting a garden at the White. I agree with you it's a HORRIBLE example for the Country.

Give me a break!

[chronic]

02:56 PM on 03/21/2009

I hate to admit this but you do have a point.

[toje]

11:51 AM on 03/21/2009

Leaders lead. They neither place blame nor deflect responsibility. Barney is no leader, and we're letting him essentially run AIG, as well as Fannie and Freddie. This guy is nothing more than an incompetent boob. He let his boyfriend run a prostitution ring out of his apartment. He let himself become romantically involved with an executive at Fannie, when he held influence over that company. He needs to be replaced before he does any more damage.

[24kgold]

11:29 AM on 03/21/2009

Thank you Michelle for empowering young women. What type of person says something negative about that?

[Sparty1]

06:48 PM on 03/21/2009

maikonen, the poster from the top of the page.

[toje]

11:09 AM on 03/21/2009

Her message was simple: "Go for it. Don't hesitate. Don't act in fear. Just go for it."

Isn't that what got us into the credit crisis?

[24kgold]

11:15 AM on 03/21/2009

NO, BUSH DID

[LADY2CNTX]

11:19 AM on 03/21/2009

How negative. George Bush and the lack of regulation is the reason for the economic downturn.

Put the blame where it belongs.

[toje]

11:01 AM on 03/21/2009

Her message was simple: "Go for it. Don't hesitate. Don't act in fear. Just go for it."

To all future grandchildren paying off the 10 trillion dollar debt left by her husband:

"That's how we roll, baby!"

[24kgold]

11:15 AM on 03/21/2009

THANKS TO BUSH

[rinpochet]

01:06 PM on 03/21/2009

What a snarky mean-spirited comment! What she is saying, is to go for your dreams. If you want to be a doctor, lawyer, plumber ..dancer, musician .. travel .. etc. And everyone should go for their dreams, without fear.

That also means there are greedy,. immoral people out there who dream of amassing huge amounts of wealth no matter who they destroy in the process. Do you really believe that Michelle was talking to that?

Of course not. And only those who are full of hate and fear such as toje, could come up these remarks. Sad.