Honoring Sojourner Truth
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 11:14 AM 
Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
First Lady Mrs. O will join Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today in unveiling a bust of abolitionist and women's rights activist Sojourner Truth in Emancipation Hall at the newly opened Capitol Visitor Center. Click here to read Sojourner Truth's "Ain't I a Woman?" speech delivered in December 1851. The bust is the work of sculptor and painter Artis Lane, the granddaughter of abolitionist educators. The LA Times has a profile of Ms. Lane, here. First Lady Mrs. O spoke briefly at today's event. From the AP:
"I hope that Sojourner Truth would be proud to see me, a descendant of slaves, serving as the first lady of the United States of America," Mrs. Obama said to loud applause at a ceremony at the Capitol Visitor Center.
"Now many young boys and girls, like my own daughters, will come to Emancipation Hall and see the face of a woman who looks like them," Mrs. Obama said.
Mrs. O wears a striped shirt dress by Sophie Theallet, a French designer living in the United States. To show her Spring 2009 collection (the same collection Mrs. O's dress originates from), Ms. Theallet chose a full casting of black models, notable in an industry criticized for its lack of diversity. The designer told Fashion Week Daily, "It came totally naturally with my collection because I love colors and I think colors are really beautiful on dark skin. And these girls are like princesses, and I want to show that." Prior to launching her own line in Spring 2006, Ms. Theallet spent 10 years alongside Azzedine Alaia, another Mrs. O favorite. Style.com caught up with the designer this afternoon to get her reaction:
"It was the best gift—it blew my mind!' Théallet said. "I am really proud—it’s the first word that comes to me. I love the way she is, the way she talks…and she looks happy in that dress."
Sophie Theallet in Outfits
Reader Comments (156)
I am really not concerned about the price of this dress that makes our First Lady look fabulous. Are we sure she's actually spending that amount Liz or is the price for consumers like you and me.
I am less concerned with Hillary's outfit, but think the color is brilliant and have learned to appreciate her pant suit style.
Condy Rice on the other hand may have had a few good fashion days, but that hair. She did not have 1 good hair day during her entire time in office.
Atleast Michelle and Hillary, have hairstylist working with them.
I love Hillary's pant suit. It works for her and her position and allows her some form of personality with those confines. On another blog they where commenting how conservative and dowdy we american's are. We are harping on some shiny shows. Look at how royalty dresses during Ascot. they have so much more fun than we do. If shiny shoes gets our goat we need to seriously lighten up.
What makes a women so special because of the man she married? What makes the clothes she wears news? I am absolutely not intending to be racist, but Michelle Obama is being praised for her relaxed hair, strands of pearls, and Anglo-centric wardrobe. How many times has the preppy, stereotypically caucasion "Suburban Mall' label, J. Crew been mentioned in "news" coverage of Michelle Obama? Mrs. Obama has a strikingly similar appearance to Condi Rice. I guess politics is a game of looking the part, even despite party lines. I am sick to my stomach that Michelle Obama's wardrobe gets coverage on CNN. I could understand it being news if Michelle had an Afro. Yet, again, I am not being the racist--the media/culture is.
Oh come on Muse3...lighten up!
Lighten up its just fashion....
Also this site says...its about Michelle's fashion and what she is wearing.
Perhaps if you google Michelle and politics you will find a more suitable website.
As always the choice to click and not click is yours. See an article about Michelle's fashion turn the dial or dont's click.
I commented to strike a conversation.