Spotted: SC Gov. Nikki Haley typing on ipad while Pres. Obama speaks

Looks like somebody wasn't enjoying listening to President Obama. Newly elected South Carolina Governor Nikki Halley was spotted typing on her ipad while Pres. Obama was speaking to a room full of Democrat and Republican governors.

Spotted: Michelle Obama and Jill Biden talking to governors at the White House

AP

First lady Michelle Obama and Second lady Jill Biden spoke to a room full of governors today in the State Dining Room about their various initiatives including reaching out to military families and childhood obesity.

Hillary Clinton speaks to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived in Geneva to speak with the U.N. Human Rights Council on the situation with Libya. While there the Secretary of State will focus on different options available to the United Nations and other countries in sanctioning Mr. Kadafi. So far the 27 countries represented in Geneva have agreed on an arms embargo, asset freeze and visa ban. 

Photos: 2011 Governors Ball

The Obamas hosted the 2011 Governors Ball last evening complete with a surf and turf dinner and music by Gladys Knight. Above, President Obama toasts Washington's governor Christine Gregoire at the start of the dinner. Also spotted was Governor of Massachusetts, Patrick Deval and his wife Diane. 

Updated with Official White House photo >>>>

 

 

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Official White House photo/ Pete Souza

Looks like a good time was had by all.

Around the Web: Women Politicians in The New York Times Magazine

New York Times Magazine

The New York Times Magazine wrote a great piece called, "Tough Cookies" (love the name) on how many political women often get overlooked in today's media. Most Americans are familiar with names like Sarah Palin, Nancy Pelosi or even a Michelle Bachmann who recently made a name for herself in the past couple of months, but what about the many other women who are standing on the front lines fighting to get things done in our nation's capitol. This article actually reminded me of why I started Political Girl in the first place - to highlight the great work of political women that the mainstream doesn't cover and to encourage more young women to get involved.

Political women like Pelosi, Lee and Boxer are the main event because they work hard for majority issues, stay civil in the face of opposition and benefit from the gender gap; that is, the difference between male and female voting patterns on issues that are even more critical to women than to men. So do senators like Dianne Feinstein of California, Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, as well as Congresswomen like Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, Maxine Waters of California, Carolyn Maloney of New York and Eleanor Holmes Norton of the District of Columbia — to name a few.

You can go here to finish reading the article.

Spotted: Susan Rice arriving for Security Council consultations on Libya

AP

Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice was seen arriving at the UN headquarters for Security Council consultations on the peace and security in Libya and other countries in Africa today.

From the LA Times:

The UN Security Council met behind closed doors Saturday to discuss the escalating situation in Libya, a day after Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the violent actions in the country. Members circulated a draft resolution that would impose international sanctions, including an arms embargo and travel ban for members of the Kadafi regime. The draft resolution also calls for members of the regime to be investigated for possible crimes against humanity in the International Criminal Court, according to the New York Times. The 15-member Security Council has the power, under Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter, to determine the existence of any threats to peace, and take action to "restore international peace and security".

Photos: A White House tribute to Motown

Getty

Yesterday at the White House was music night. To honor Black History Month, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a tribute to the sounds of Motown. The lively event featured such singers as Jamie Foxx, Nick Jonas, Sheryl Crow, and Natasha Bedingfield.

Obamas host Governors Ball this Sunday

President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the 2009 Governors Ball

The Obamas will host their 3rd Governors Ball on Sunday in conjunction with theNational Governors Association winter meeting this weekend. The annual ball is an opportunity for the President to meet with all 50 governors from around the entire country in a relax environment complete with food and dancing.

Photos: Michelle Obama holds a Motown music discussion for students at White House

Photos: President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton comment on Libya

Photo of the Day: Rep. Donna Edwards rallies to support Wisconsin labor unions

Bill Clark

Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md) was spotted at a rally in Washington, DC today to show support for labor unions in Wisconsin. Organized by AFL-CIO, protestors gathered in front of the DC office of the Wisconsin Governor, Scott Walker at 12:30 pm today. The Wisconsin protests are entering into Week 2, as tens of thousands of protesters are upset at Gov. Walker's proposal to cut public employees' health insurance and pension benefits.

Sandra Lee, New York's First Girlfriend featured in Vogue

Chicago's New First Lady: Meet Amy Rule, wife of Rahm Emanuel

DC Post Office renamed to honor Dr. Dorothy Height

Douglas Graham

Dr. Dorothy Height, the acclaimed civil rights leader was memorialized today at a local DC Post Office today. The post office located at 2 Massachusetts Avenue is the first post office to be named for an African American woman. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sponsored the bill to honor Ms. Height, who passed last year.

Spotted: Michelle Obama sking in Colorado

Quoted: "Stop this unacceptable bloodshed" - Hillary Clinton

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“The world is watching the situation in Libya with alarm. We join the international community in strongly condemning the violence in Libya. Our thoughts and prayers are with those whose lives have been lost, and with their loved ones. The government of Libya has a responsibility to respect the universal rights of the people, including the right to free expression and assembly. Now is the time to stop this unacceptable bloodshed. We are working urgently with friends and partners around the world to convey this message to the Libyan government.”

Happy President's Day! By the side of every great President is a greater First Lady....

Peta Souza

Since 1971, we have celebrated President Day to celebrate and honor all past presidents including the most famous two who was born on in February - Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and George Washington (February 22). Presidents' Day was established by President Nixon and is observed on the 3rd Monday of February. Well, we here at Political Girl got to thinking - why not honor those incredible women standing by these presidents.

Take a look below at some great pictures!

Spotted: Lisa Jackson at the UN Environment Programme

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Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson was spotted in Nairobi, Kenya for the 26th session of the governing council of the United Nations Environment Programme. During the session, a new report was released titled, "Towards a Green Economy" that suggested that investing in green technologies could spur growth around the globe.

Video: Rep. Jane Harman says goodbye to Congress

Friday was the last official day for Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA). A couple of weeks ago, the congresswoman announced that she would be leaving her post to head up the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. During her farewell address, Ms. Harman talked about her love the district that she had been serving for over 16 years and her excitment for her new opportunity.

But nothing, and I mean nothing, will ever replace the two decades-long journey I have just completed as I sought and won a seat in Congress. - Jane Harman

The President's Right Hand Woman

In today's Chicago Tribune, reporter Christi Parsons writes about the woman who has been by President Obama's side since the beginning of his campaign - Valerie Jarrett. The article described how they all encompassing advisor juggles all the many tasks that she deals with in any day including reaching out to businesses or helping with American engagement. They also noted that Valerie Jarrett is the only one standing in the White House while advisers Rahm Emanuel, David Axelrod, and now Robert Gibbs have left.

"She has a unique relationship with the president, a deep understanding of him," said Axelrod, "That is critical to him. It's important to him to have people who have that relationship around him."She is a consensus builder who reinforces Obama's tendency toward centrism, but is also a voice for women and minorities in policy considerations. Her involvement in an issue has the presidential imprint. Her presence is seen as his proxy, as when she visited with the Dalai Lama while Obama first paid respects to the Chinese president. Jarrett was Obama's choice to be his liaison with business, a relationship that went sour right at the start.

A great article that really shows how much influence she has in the White House. You can read the rest of the article at Chicago Tribune.

Hillary Clinton talks with ABC's Christiane Amanpour

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was a guest this morning on This Week with Christiane Amanpour. In the wide-ranging interview, Secretary Clinton discussed America's stance on the uprising in the Middle East including Egypt.

Obama Speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz in Elle Magazine

While Jon Favreau is often in the media for crafting all of the President's speech, there is another person that plays a role in picking out those words too.

Sarah Hurwitz currently serves as senior presidential speechwriter in the White House and even worked as the chief speechwriter for Hillary Clinton when she ran for president.

In Elle's 'Round the Clock', the 31 year-old Harvard graduate describes how she tries to incorporate style in her work wardrobe.

Find out more about Ms. Hurwitz here.

Actress Gabrielle Union appointed to the Committee on Violence Against Women

Actress Gabrielle Union was recently appointed by President Obama to the National Advisory Committee on Violence Against Women. Attorney General Eric Holder reestablished the committee last year to improve our country's response to violence against women.

The 15-member committee provides advice to the Attorney General and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on responses to domestic violence and dating violence, sexual assault and stalking crimes, with a focus on children and teens who are affected by the violence.

The Hollywood starlet was a victim of sexual assault herself and has focused on helping young women from suffering similar fates. For more information about the organization, please visit their website here.

Who says girls don't like science?

Reuters

President Obama meets with student finalists of Intel’s Science Talent Search as he tours a semiconductor manufacturing facility at Intel Corporation in Oregon on Friday. The girls are 7th graders from the BindleBot Intel First LEGO Robotics Team from Robert Gray Middle School. Girls rule!

“You know what I’m especially excited about is, it’s nothing against the guys, but seeing six girls do an amazing project like this is really exciting. A lot of times in the past, engineering, math, science…girls were saying that’s not for me. You guys are showing that you guys are going to be at the cutting edge of this stuff. I’m proud of you.” - President Obama

Week in Review: Melody Barnes, Nancy Pelosi, and Susan Collins

Douglas Graham

On February 16, Susan Collins (R-ME) spoke at the committee hearing on "The Value of Education Choices: Saving the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program" on Capitol Hill.

AP

On February 17, Domestic Policy Council Directory Melody Barnes was joined by Vice President Joe Biden and other cabinet members during a Recovery Act Cabinet Meeting at the White House.

Tom Williams

On February 17 Minority Leader was joined by the Camden, New Jersey Fire Department at a news conference on House Republicans lack of job creation proposals.

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On February 17, Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett is seen walking with new White House Press Secretary Jay Carney towards Marine One as they join President Obama departs to San Francisco with a meeting of business leaders.

Tom Williams

On February 17, State Hillary Clinton was seen leaving Capitol Hillary after an briefing on the Egyptian revolution.

Spotted: Kamala Harris greets President Obama in San Francisco

AP

President Obama was in San Francisco yesterday to meet with various business leaders like Mark Zuckerburg of Facebook and Apple's Steve Jobs. However before his meeting with the titans of Silicon Valley, he met with local politicians including California Attorney General Kamala Harris, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, and California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom at the airport.

Hmmm, I wonder what they are smiling and joking about.