Star studded guests at White House Women's History Month Dinner

Photos: Congressional Black Caucus celebrates 40 years

Michelle Obama and celebrities mentor local DC students

Photo of the Day: Nancy Pelosi signs Japanese Book of Condolences

Office of Nancy Pelosi

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi visited the consulate of Japan in San Francisco on March 29th to sign the book of condolences.

Hillary Clinton arrives in London for the Conference on Libya

AP / Reuters

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been traveling so much, I can hardly keep up. She arrived today in London, England to attend the Confrence on Libya. She is meeting with more than 40 leaders to strategize about the outgoing situation in the region and to figure out whether Gaddafi should be allowed into exile.

Sen. Snowe leads effort to support women's rights in Middle East

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Sen. Olympia Snowe (ME-R) has introduced legislation in the Senate pressing world leaders in North African and the Middle East to honor the rights of women in their countries. In addition to Sen. Snowe, the other 16 women in the Senate have signed on and are supporting this historic legislation.

From the Office of Senator Snowe:

“Essential to the success and stability of any government is the equal voice and participation of women,” said Senator Snowe. “The spirit and devotion exemplified by women in North Africa and the Middle East – and the ongoing challenges they continue to face – is both an inspiration to us all and a reminder that discrimination and gender-based violence endures around the world. I honor their commitment to ensuring future generations enjoy the guaranteed equality and basic human rights for which they endeavor to this day and remain steadfast in my commitment to these universal liberties.”

Spotted: Susan Rice meets with UN Security Council on situation in Libya

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United Nations Ambassador Susan Rice was spotted today at a meeting with the United Nations Security Council. The council was meeting on sanctions it had previously imposed on Libya two weeks ago. President Obama will also address the country this evening about the US's role moving forward, and earlier today NATO announced that it would be taking military control of operations against Libyan military. 

In memoriam: A look back at the life of Geraldine Ferraro

Geraldine Anne Ferraro, the first female Vice Presidential candidate representing a major American political party, passed Saturday after a 12 year battle with multiple myeloma. The fereious women's right supporter first started her career in the House of Representatives, representing New York's 9th Congressional District (Queens) for three 2 year terms from 1978 - 1982.

After rumblings that it was time for a woman to be on a major party ticket, Walter Mondale selected Ferraro to be his Vice-Presidential candidate in the summer of 1984. With her nominiation, she became not only the first woman to run on a major party national ticket in the United States but also the first Italian American.

"We've chosen the path to equality, don't let them turn us around." — Geraldine Ferraro

After the loss of the election, Ferrano ran unsuccessfully for the Senate and then went on to accept an ambassorship to the United Nations Commission to Human Rights. During that time she also wrote to best selling books, Ferraro: My Story and  Changing History: Women, Power and Politics. 

Until her death, was an avid supporter for women rights and equality in our political arena. She was 75.

Stylish Girl: Check out Sasha Obama's shoes

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The Obama family arrived back to Washington, DC this afternoon after a 5-day South American trip to Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador. While walking back, President Obama also pointed out daughter, Sasha's bright orange shoes.

Photos: Nancy Pelosi meets troops in Afghanistan

Office of the Minority Leader

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi traveled to Afghanistan on Saturday with several other lawmakers including Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CN.), John Mica (R-FL), Leonard Boswell (D-IO) and Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.). While in the region, she visited our troops based there and met with young girls at school in Marjah, Afghanistan. 

Obamas enjoying painting and dinner in El Salvador

Sarah Palin meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

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Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband Todd Palin met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara Netanyahu, yesterday while visiting Jerusalem. Earlier in the week, she visited New Delhi, India and plans to visit the holy sites today and tomorrow. 

Photos: Obamas arrive in El Salvador

Spotted: Rosalynn Carter, Barbara Bush, and Laura Bush in DC

AP/Reuters

A couple of former presidents and first ladies gathered last night at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. Presidents Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, George. H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush were joined by their wives (except Secretary of State Hillary Clinton), Rosalynn Carter, Barbara Bush, and Laura Bush for the "All Together Now - A Celebration of Service" performance in honor of former President George H. W. Bush.

Obamas attend State Dinner in Santiago, Chile

Who is Samantha Power? Adviser to the President and Ardent Human Rights Advocate

Samantha Power's name has been floating in the blog-sphere for the past couple of days due to her involvement in advising Pres. Obama about the situation in Libya. However, she has been a key advisor for the President for quite a while. 

She might be famously remembered for calling Hillary Clinton, "a monster", but has since been a Special Assistant to the President while running the Office of Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights as well as a member of the National Security Council. 

According to TED, she had a long resume long before she entered the White House. She is head of Harvard's Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, where she studies US policy as it relates to human rights, genocide and war. Her latest book is about Sergio Vieira de Mello, a UN diplomat who worked with the world's worst dictators to help protect the human rights of their people.

She also spent numerous years as a journalist. From 1993 to 1996 she reported in the former Yugoslavia, and contributed commentary to the New Yorker and Time. A noted author, her latest book is about Sergio Vieira de Mello, a UN diplomat who worked with the world's worst dictators to help protect the human rights of their people. Other books she has written include A Problem from Hell: America and the Age of Genocide.

She also is a staunch advocate for human rights and believes that the United States must return to a human rights-centered foreign policy or risk its prestige and respect in the world community. In the picture to the left, she is shown with actor George Clooney and human rights activist and co-founder of the Enough Project John Prendergast in October, after a meeting with Pres. Obama discussing the duo's trio to Sudan.

Obama family leaves Rio de Janerio and arrives in Santiago, Chile

Photo of the Day: Chelsea Clinton attends American Ballet Winter Ball

Chelsea Clinton and husband Marc Mezvinsky were spotted attending the 2011 School of American Ballet Winter Ball at the Lincoln Center last week in New York City.

The Winter Ball is a staple in the New York City community - it's a black-tie dinner dance featuring a performance by the School of American Ballet's advanced students. Plus all the proceeds from the Winter Ball go to the ballet training program which provide scholarships to the students, support faculty, maintain studios and offer student programs for enrichment beyond the classroom. 

Chelsea's ensemble that night included a black dress showcased with soft petals and a ruffled bottom worn with Christian Louboutin pumps. 

I absolutely love this dress on her!

Obama family visits Christ the Redeemer Statue in Rio de Janerio

AP

The Obama family topped off their visit in Rio de Janerio with a visit to the famous Christ the Redeemer Statue on Corcovado. 

Are women leading the way in Libya? Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice, Samantha Power are at forefront

Samantha Power, Susan Rice and President Obama

If you have been paying attention to all the news articles and blog stories about the lead up to military action in  Libya, a new narrative is starting to emerge. Many are noting that three women in particular - Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice, and Samantha Power - are the driving force behind Pres. Obama's sudden change in wanting military action in Libya.

From the New York Times:

The shift in the administration’s position — from strong words against Libya to action — was forced largely by the events beyond its control: the crumbling of the uprising raised the prospect that Colonel Qaddafi would remain in power to kill “many thousands,” as Mr. Obama said at the White House on Friday. The change became possible, though, only after Mrs. Clinton joined Samantha Power, a senior aide at the National Security Council, and Susan Rice, Mr. Obama’s ambassador to the United Nations, who had been pressing the case for military action, according to senior administration officials speaking only on condition of anonymity. Ms. Power is a former journalist and human rights advocate; Ms. Rice was an Africa adviser to President Clinton when the United States failed to intervene to stop the Rwanda genocide, which Mr. Clinton has called his biggest regret.Now, the three women were pushing for American intervention to stop a looming humanitarian catastrophe in Libya.

What do you think about this? Are you surprised that women are actually the ones calling for military action when often they are seen as the peacemakers?

Obama family enjoy dancing and soccer in Rio de Janerio

Obama family arrives in Rio de Janeiro

The Obama family arrived in Rio De Janeiro late Saturday evening.