“There remains far more brutal and terrifying incarnations of actual gender persecution …”
First lady Melania Trump reminded guests during a White House luncheon on Wednesday that the freedom Americans often take for granted is denied to many others around the world, including women like her who were born behind the Soviet Union’s Iron Curtain.
CBS News
✔@CBSNewsMelania Trump hosts Ivanka Trump, Kellyanne Conway and more at White House luncheon on #InternationalWomensDay
“As an immigrant myself, having grown up in a communist society, I know all too well the value and importance of freedom and equal opportunity, ideals which this great nation was founded and has continued to strive towards throughout its history.” said the first lady, who was born in 1970 in what is now Slovenia but what then was the Soviet bloc nation of Yugoslavia.
The first lady received a standing ovation when she entered the room to celebrate International Women’s Day. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence later joined the event.
Melania Trump told her audience that the privileges Americans enjoy are unique.
“There remains far more brutal and terrifying incarnations of actual gender persecution which we must face together, such as forced enslavement, sexual abuse and absolute repression of far too many women and girls around the globe. We must remember these women in our daily prayers and use our combined resources to help free them from such unthinkable and inhumane circumstances,” she said.
She highlighted education as a way to improve the lives of women everywhere.
“I continue to firmly believe that education is the most powerful way to promote and ensure women’s rights. Together we will do this not only by striving for gender parity at all levels of education, but also by showing all children, and especially boys, that it is through empathy, respect and kindness that we achieve our collective potential,” she said.
“Together with UN Women for Peace Association, we can educate and reinforce the importance of tolerance and a society filled with inclusivity regardless of race, gender or culture,” she added.
Second Lady Karen Pence
✔@SecondLadyWonderful time at the #InternationalWomensDay Luncheon hosted by @FLOTUS. Talked with some inspiring women making a difference in US & world
In addition to Karen Pence, the wife of the vice president, White House counselor Kellyanne Conway, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao, Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.V., and Ivanka Trump were among those present.
Wednesday was marked by some outside the White House by “Day Without A Woman” protests in which women were encouraged to avoid going to work as a way to highlight their importance. White House press secretary Sean Spicer was asked how that played out with women who work at the White House.
CNN
✔@CNNSean Spicer on #InternationalWomensDay: “We should on a daily basis… appreciate the contributions that women make” http://cnn.it/2lTUdLk
“I am not aware of any that are not here,” he said at Wednesday’s press briefing. “I think everyone that I’m aware of has shown up and is working really hard to advance the President’s agenda. They’re committed to moving this country forward. For those of us who have joined the President throughout government, I think — but obviously, as the President stated today, we want to recognize the contributions that women make to our businesses, to our families, to our economy, to our society.”
“And it’s a free country. People have the right to express themselves,” Spicer added. “But I think that we should, on a daily basis — not just one day a year but 365 days a year — appreciate the contributions that women make in all of those categories. So it shouldn’t be a daily thing, and hopefully we can help fix that a little bit more.”
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Source:westernjournalism.com