On Sunday...
The Ford’s Theatre Society held its annual gala at the famous Ford’s Theatre (where President Lincoln was assassinated), followed by a dinner at the National Portrait Gallery. The event honored Sound of Music star Julie Andrews and NBA Half of Famer Kareem Abdul Jabbar with the Lincoln Medal. Each year, the Ford’s Theatre Society awards the Lincoln medal to those “who, through their body of work, accomplishments or personal attributes, exemplify the lasting legacy, and mettle of character embodied by the most beloved President in our Nation’s history, President Abraham Lincoln.”
First Lady Michelle Obama served as this year’s honorary chair. Those on hand at the event included Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Attorney General Eric Holder, and Actor Richard Dreyfus among others. Kareem left a little early to watch Game 3 of the NBA Finals at P.J. Clark’s restaurant on 16th and K.
The event also benefited the Ford’s Theatre Society and the Ford’s Theatre Center for Education and Leadership, set to open in February 2012. For more on the annual soiree, click here.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton launched the “Women’s World Cup Initiative: Empowering Women and Girls through Sports” at the State Department. On hand was the U.S. Women’s National soccer team. The initiative is a lead up to the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup and also kicks off the 40th anniversary of Title IX. Through the use of "soccer diplomacy," the program seeks to empower and bring together women and girls through international exchanges and the world’s most popular sport. Since taking the helm of the State Department, Secretary Clinton has made women’s issues around the world a key priority.
Next year marks the 40th anniversary of Title IX, the landmark legislation which states, "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance..."
Watch Secretary Clinton's remarks:
On Tuesday...
President Barack Obama hosted a state dinner at the White House for German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The event was rather low-key and drama-free, which is pretty much characteristic of U.S.-German relations. President Obama awarded Chancellor Merkel with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States’ highest civilian honor, thus reaffirming the U.S.’s bff relationship with Germany. Oh, and James Taylor performed - that’s pretty much all there is to say…
On Wednesday...
Actress Jennifer Garner made a visit to Capitol Hill to discuss legislative efforts to improve access to early childhood education and quality childcare. Garner, a regular on the Hill, appeared with Mark Shriver of Save the Children and Senators Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). She spoke passionately about the need to educate young people, particularly those who grow up in poverty.
Senator Casey also introduced two key pieces of legislation:
· The Prepare All Kids Act (S.1156): would assist states in providing at least one year of high quality pre-kindergarten to children and provide voluntary high quality pre-kindergarten education to all children, with a focus on children from low income families and children with special needs.
· The Starting Early, Starting Right Act (S.1155): would reverse chronic underfunding of child care and improve the quality and increase the availability of child care to children in low-income and working class families; would give states resources to offer child care assistance to children who are currently on waiting lists and help states meet the needs of underserved children.
Currently, only 60 percent of children enroll in pre-school, which is proven to significantly improve childhood development and lead to long-term economic benefits, such as high income, reduced crime, better health and a larger more qualified workforce.
On Thursday...
Around 3 o'clock in afternoon, 2-time Olympic medalist Michelle Kwan was spotted in Dupont Circle. Looks like she’s now living in our nation’s capital and looking for a job.Last month, Kwan, now 30 years old, graduated from Tufts University with a master’s degree in law and diplomacy. She’s apparently looking to try her hand in government and maybe even politics. The question is will she have to pay her dues, taking on an unpaid internship on the Hill answering phones and giving tours? Or does she basically just have to wear her Olympic medals around her neck to interviews to be on her way? She is already involved in two State Department initiatives and has been to the White House a couple of times for a State dinner and some other functions. Don’t be surprised to see her hit the Dupont or U Street bar scene.
