Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
International

Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, Michelle Obama Team Up To Promote Education For Women, Girls

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 11 Mar, 2016 12:55 PM
    WASHINGTON — The meeting of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama wasn't the only mutual admiration society on display Thursday in Washington.
     
    There was also, it would seem, a budding girl crush of sorts between Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau and Michelle Obama.
     
    The presidential and prime ministerial spouses appeared to hit it off during Justin Trudeau's official visit to the White House — so much so that Gregoire-Trudeau even lent Obama a helping hand after she lost her balance at a public event.
     
    Gregoire-Trudeau, 40, and Obama, 52, appeared at the ceremony together for girls' education, where both women sang and danced with a group of schoolchildren.
     
    As she followed Gregoire-Trudeau off the stage, Obama appeared to lose her balance, said Cliff Owen, a photographer for The Associated Press.
     
    She immediately got a helping hand from her new Canadian BFF.
     
    Owen snapped a series of pictures of an open-armed Gregoire-Trudeau helping Obama off the stage, and said there was clear chemistry between the two.
     
    "It's like two 14-year-old girls ... they were just joking and laughing and having a really good time," said Owen.
     
    "You get the impression they're going to sneak out of the White House and hit a few bars. They're just having a really good time with each other."
     
    So much so, in fact, that Obama introduced Gregoire-Trudeau as "my soulmate."
     
    "We've already gotten into trouble," she quipped.
     
    The day's more serious theme involved an American project to help adolescent girls get a quality education.
     
    Obama told the event at the U.S. Institute for Peace that some 62 million girls around the world are currently not in school.
     
    "That's not just a number," Obama said in a speech to scouts and students. "Every single one of these girls has a story."
     
    A year ago, the Obama administration unveiled Let Girls Learn, a program designed to build on investments in global primary school education and to expand them to help adolescent girls pursue their ambitions.
     
    "I know we can get the world united around this issue and change the fate of these 62 million girls forever," Obama said. "We can do this."
     
    Said Gregoire-Trudeau: "Canada knows that for a society to be prosperous and more just and more peaceful, women and girls must be educated."
     
    "And an educated young girl becomes an educated ... mother or mentor or friend, professional. That makes for an educated society and an education makes for a more peaceful and just place to be and to grow in."
     
    Earlier in the day, the women shared a laugh outside the White House as President Barack Obama welcomed the Trudeaus, their children and the Canadian delegation to the residence.
     
    Inside, the Obamas met the three Trudeau children - Xavier, Ella-Grace and Hadrien. Obama high-fived the two-year-old Hadrien, whom Michelle Obama described as "delicious."

    MORE International ARTICLES

    Dubai Official Warns Of 'Clash Of Civilizations' Over Donald Trump

    Trump said he wouldn't stoop to being "politically correct" by avoiding such statements.

    Dubai Official Warns Of 'Clash Of Civilizations' Over Donald Trump

    Two Canadian Hostages In The Philippines Shown In New Islamic Extremists Video

    Two Canadian Hostages In The Philippines Shown In New Islamic Extremists Video
    Robert Hall and John Ridsdel — along with a Norwegian man and a Filipino woman — were kidnapped from a resort by members of Abu Sayyaf

    Two Canadian Hostages In The Philippines Shown In New Islamic Extremists Video

    Justin Trudeau In US: State Dinner Features The Best Of Spring, With A Dash Of Canadian Whisky

    Justin Trudeau In US: State Dinner Features The Best Of Spring, With A Dash Of Canadian Whisky
    he best of America's spring produce, with a little help from some Canadian whisky, will feature heavily on the menu for the state dinner Thursday night to mark Justin Trudeau's first prime ministerial visit to the U.S.

    Justin Trudeau In US: State Dinner Features The Best Of Spring, With A Dash Of Canadian Whisky

    I Think Islam Hates Us: Donald Trump

    I Think Islam Hates Us: Donald Trump
    Trump, 69, maintained that the war was against radical Islam, but said, "it's very hard to define. It's very hard to separate. Because you don't know who's who."

    I Think Islam Hates Us: Donald Trump

    Donald Trump's Positions On Trade, Alliances Could Roil Asia Ties

    With characteristic brashness, Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump has staked out uncompromising positions on Asia policy that could potentially roil U.S. relations with the region if he won the White House.

    Donald Trump's Positions On Trade, Alliances Could Roil Asia Ties

    Anti-Trump Republicans Come To Terms With Cruz Nomination

    Trump, in turn, is renewing his vigorous criticism of the Texas senator, casting the rival he calls "Lying Ted" as too polarizing to break the Washington gridlock or win a general election.

    Anti-Trump Republicans Come To Terms With Cruz Nomination

    PrevNext