Spotted: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde

Getty

Don't you love women in power? Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde participated in the Women In Public Service event at the Department of State last week. At the event, Secretary Clinton announced that the State Department will work with the Seven Sisters Colleges to identify and educate a new generation of women committed to public service, create an infrastructure of support and mentoring, and help enable more women to enter public service and political leadership. 

Photo of the Day: Michelle Obama, Barack Obama and Joe Biden in the Oval Office

Pete Souza/Official White House Photo

President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden talk with First Lady Michelle Obama in the Oval Office, Nov. 21.

Hmm, I wonder what they are talking about. 

Obamas featured in People Magazine

In People Magazine's end of the year special, Michelle and Barack Obama dish on everything from their daughters' Facebook habits (they aren't allowed on) and their favorite t.v. shows (Modern Family and Homeland).

To find out more about the First Couples likes and dislikes, head over to People or pick up a copy of the magazine on stands now.

Spotted: A very pregnant Huma Abedin, wife of Anthony Weiner at the State Department

Getty

Look who we spotted yesterday! Huma Abedin, the deputy chief of staff to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and also the wife of former congressman Anthony Weiner, was seen yesterday at the Women in Public Service event at the Department of State. Awww, she looks like she could have the baby in day now. Congrats again to her and her husband!

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Sen. Barbara Mikulski and more grace the pages of this month's Vogue Magazine

Annie Liebovitz

In the latest Vogue Magazine, some well known women politicians are gracing their pages to crusade for a new National Women's History Museum. Pictured with Meryl Streep, are the crusaders for a new National Women’s History Museum, from left: NWHM president Joan Wages, Madeleine Albright, Senator Susan Collins, Sen. Barbara Mikulski, Barbara Bush (seated on ground), Rep. Carolyn Maloney, Patricia Nixon Cox, Dr. Maya Angelou and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton. 

The women are advocating for the first ever national museum dedicated exclusively to women's history in Washington, DC. Currently, the National Women's History Museum and Federal Facilities Consolidation and Efficacy Act of 2011 bill is in the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as it awaits passage. 

To find out more about the National Women's History Museum and support the organization, visit their website.

Jon Huntsman daughters featured in GQ Magazine

GQ

Jon Huntsman daughters are back at it! This time the famous sisters are featured in GQ Magazine as they tell the famous men's magazine about their travels on the campaign trail helping their dad run for president. Earlier this year, the girls were featured in Vogue Magazine and have heated up the Twitter-verse with their colorful tweets and comments. 

To read the article, head over to GQ. 

White House releases new official Obama family portrait

Pete Souza

The White House released this official family picture of the Obama family today sitting in the Oval Office. Loves it!!

TIME Magazine interviews Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

Dan Winters

In their latest issue, TIME Magazine interviews Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on her remarkable recovery after the devastating shooting last January. She talks about her marriage, her views on death,  and whats next for her.

An excerpt from the Q&A.

What's an average day like for you these days? 
Busy, busy, busy. Stretching at 6:30 a.m. Up at 7 a.m. Breakfast and read the Arizona Daily Star, Arizona Republic and New York Times. Drive to rehab at 8 a.m. Physical, occupational and speech therapy for most of the day. Home, dinner and watch The Daily Show. Then off to bed.

Are you religious? If so, did that help you through this experience? 
Yes, I am. Of course it did.

You have two stepdaughters, Claire and Claudia. Your book says your relationship with them has improved this year. Why? 
I nearly died. That drew us much closer together.

To read more visit: TIME

Awww! Malia and Sasha Obama chat with Justin Bieber at "Christmas in Washington" taping

Getty

I saw these pictures today and couldn't resist! Along with their parents, Malia and Sasha Obama were spotted yesterday at the "Christmas in Washington" taping. The annual show was hosted by Conan O'Brien and features Cee Lo Green and Jennifer Hudson and will support the Children's National Medical Center. If that wasn't enough for the Obama girls, they also got a chance to share a stage with teen heartthrob Justin Bieber who is also a performer. Cuteness!

More Women, More Peace. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakul Karman accept Nobel Peace Prizes

Getty

What an amazing thing to see today! Nobel Peace Prize laureates Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakul Karman spoke onstage today during the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway. The peace prize committee awarded the prize to Karman, Johnson-Sirleaf and Gbowee for championing women's rights in regions where oppression is common and helping women participate in peace-building.

Photos: Obamas attend Sunday service at St. John's Episcopal Church

Getty

Good morning! The Obamas were off to church this morning in a cold and sunny day in our nation's capital. They were seen walking the short distance from the White House to Sunday service at St. John's Episcopal Church.

Spotted on Capitol Hill: Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Nancy Pelosi

Tom Williams

Hard at work on Capitol Hill! Sen. Dianne Feinstein, (D-Calif) was spotted this week leaving a procedural vote on the payroll tax extension bill. Also House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, (D-Calif) was spotted conducting her weekly news conference in the Capitol Visitor Center. 

Joe and Jill Biden invite wounded warriors to their home

AP

Oldie but goodie! Vice President Joe Biden and wife Jill Biden hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for wounded warriors at their home at the Naval Observatory. Seated from left are, Marine Cpl. Rory Hamill, 23, Marine Corp Lance Cpl. William Carpenter, 22, Marine Corp Lance Cpl. Stephen Ayhens, 20, and his mother Shanta Ayhens, and Marine Corp Sgt. Luis Remache, 26. Glad that this current administration is putting a much needed focus on our soldiers!

Obamas and Bidens celebrate Hanukkah at the White House

Getty

Pres. Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama along with Vice President Joe Biden and Jill Biden hosted a Hanukkah reception tonight in the Grand Foyer of the White House. 

Emily's List hosts fundraiser in support of Democratic women candidates

Twitter

Democratic women were out in full force Tuesday night in Washington, DC. Emily's List, an organization dedicated to getting pro-choice women elected, hosted a fundraiser to support several women senators up for re-election in 2012. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) gave an passionate speech stating "The best way to fight back in this war is to elect more women" calling on the donors to elect more pro-life women in the next election. Others in attendance include Amy Klobaucher (D-MN), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).


To find out more about Emily's List, visit their website. 

Jill and Joe Biden release their 2011 family holiday card

Aww, isn't this cute? Jill and Joe Biden just sent out their 2011 holiday card. Joined on the photo are their  sons Beau Biden and Hunter Biden and daughter, Ashley Biden and their five grandchildren. Even the family dog, Champ joined in on the fun. 

(h/t Politico)

Savannah, GA elects Edna Jackson, the 1st black woman to serve as mayor

Yesterday Edna Jackson was elected the first black woman to serve as mayor of Savannah, Georgia. The former administrator has served on the Savannah City Council for 12 years has vowed to bring people together and build consensus among the city's leaders.

From the Associated Press:

Edna Jackson defeated rival councilman Jeff Felser in a runoff with 56 percent of the vote. She will succeed term-limited Mayor Otis Johnson in January. Jackson was widely considered the front-runner, as her campaign was endorsed by many of the city's black ministers and white business leaders. "I am so blessed that all of you have gone on this journey with me," Jackson told supporters at her victory party late Tuesday. "When we started, I said that it would be a clean campaign. And it was a campaign that you would be proud that I would run."


Congrats!!! 

Love when women work together! Sens. Susan Collins and Claire McCaskill propose bipartisan tax bill

Getty

Don't you just love when women work together? Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) participated in a news conference today to announce the the Bipartisan Jobs Creation Plan. The plan will extend payroll tax cuts that are set to expire at the end of the year, while imposing a tax surcharge on millionaires and ending tax breaks for big oil.

Kirsten Gillibrand attends Lifetime Television's 2012 Every Women Counts campaign

Getty

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand attended Lifetime Television's 2012 'Every Woman Counts' campaign at Hofstra University this past weekend. Sen. Gillibrand was part of the panel and training event "Getting Off the Sidelines: A Conversation About the Urgency of Women's Political, Community and Business Leadership Today" were more than 200 college students joined the conversation. 'Every Woman Counts' was launched as a non-partisan campaign in 1992 to encourage women to vote, speak out on their issues, and run for office. To find out more, visit Lifetime. 

First Lady Michelle Obama wows at the Kennedy Center Honors

Getty

How can you not love her? First Lady Michelle Obama accompanied Pres. Obama at the Kennedy Center Honors reception tonight at the White House.

Spotted: Alicia Keys speaking with Pres. Obama

Getty

Singer Alicia Keys was in Washington, DC yesterday to commemorate World AIDS Day and also had an opportunity to meet Pres. Obama. They were both guests at an event hosted by the ONE Campaign and (RED) at George Washington University. During the event, President Obama announced new funding of $50 million to support treatment of AIDS here in the US. Also spotted in the crowd were Rep. Barbara Lee and singer Bono, both HIV/AIDS activists.  

Hillary Clinton meets with Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi

Getty

While visiting Myanmar, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. Suu Kyi voiced guarded hope that democracy will come to Myanmar as the opposition leader warmly welcomed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the home that was her prison for years. On Wednesday, Clinton made the first visit to the country by a sitting secretary of state since 1955.

Photos: Obamas lend a helping hand at a DC food bank

Getty

The Obamas are out spreading Thanksgiving cheer. Earlier today, Pres. Obama along with First Lady Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha and Malia, and mother-in-law Marian Robinson visited the Capital Area Food Bank. They  helped to hand out food to needy families for the holiday weekend.