Eisenhower Executive Office Building
Washington, D.C.
11:39 A.M. EDT
MRS. OBAMA: Hello! (Applause.) Good afternoon — morning. It's still morning. How is everyone? You all, rest yourselves. (Laughter.) I hear we've been keeping you pretty busy, right?
Well, I'm really thrilled to be here. I am just delighted to have the opportunity to stop by and say hello, and to add my thanks to the many thanks. But I want to start by thanking Secretary Shinseki, not just for his kind introduction but for his stalwart service to this country. And also, when — I hear Patty is here, too. Patty — there is Patty Shinseki, who has been with you. I want to thank you for joining us today, and for all that you've done as a partner, with Jill and I, through Joining Forces. It's wonderful to see you, as well as everyone here from the Business and Professional Women's Foundation, for the exceptional work that they do every day for women's veterans.
And, of course, I want to recognize the 14 extraordinary women we're honoring as our Champions of Change. I had an opportunity to take some quick photos and meet Joshua over there, who is — (laughter) — he's riveted by today's proceedings. (Laughter.)
And I want to thank every single woman in this room who has worn our country's uniform. And I know there are a few men here, so I don’t want you to think I'm ignoring you, but this is really not about you today. (Laughter.) Not at all. But you look — you all look good. You dressed up for your respective people. You're not embarrassing anyone, which is good. (Laughter.)
But to our women veterans, you all are part of a long line of women who have broken barriers and defied expectations and served this country with unparalleled courage and determination. You've been on the front lines, often in the line of fire. And generation after generation, women like you have proven that you not only serve alongside men — you lead them, as well. Let's just take a moment. (Laughter.) Whether you're in combat or aboard a submarine or anywhere else service takes you, you're doing the job, and you're doing it with grace and poise and dignity.
And the beautiful thing about our veterans — and this is especially true for our women veterans — is that long after you stop serving this country, you don’t stop serving it after you hang up your uniforms. And that’s something that we say all the time about our veterans. It's important for the nation to understand that you all keep working. You make me tired — (laughter) — but you keep doing it.
You are the leaders in our businesses and schools in our communities. You're mothers raising your kids with …read more
Source: White House Press Office