Tuesday
Apr132010
Help for Haiti
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 3:18 PM 
AP Photo/Brennan Linsley
First Lady Mrs. O and Jill Biden made a surprise visit to Port-au-Prince, Haiti today, where they toured the capital with Haiti's first lady Elisabeth Debrosse and visited with children.
Per the New York Times:
“It’s powerful,” Mrs. Obama said after surveying the wreckage left by the Jan. 12 earthquake. “The devastation is definitely powerful.”
The stop was an unannounced stop in advance of the first lady's scheduled trip to Mexico.
Reader Comments (46)
Wow ! Will Jill Biden be joining the First Lady in Mexico ? I must say that I love the way both Michelle and Jill work together. I can't even remember the names of any previous VP wife, let alone remember seeing them out and about.
Anyway, I know Haiti is still very much in recovery mode and has a long way to go before it is recovered AND I know that Michelle can't change the devastation that happened to Hati but I hope her presence can make a difference.
the First lady and Dr Biden are class act.i will refrain from commenting on her outfit.
Mrs.T i was browsing on the net and randomly stumble across a dress which look exactly like the one Mrs.O is wearing on the cover of Condé Nast traveler but it is from sophie thallet spring 2010 collection. here is the link.
http://nymag.com/fashion/models/slopez/sessileelopez/#slide2&ss3
it looks the same to me except the color.even the fabric looks the same.what do you think? maybe WWD made a mistake.
chrystelle, I do think the Conde Nast Traveler dress is in fact DVF (though I can see the similarity to the Sophie Theallet dress too). About a year ago I went to a DVF sample sale in New York and saw the exact pink dress that Mrs. O wears on the cover. And my co-worker in fact owns it! The story said that Mrs. Obama wore a DVF dress from her own closet, so this jives with the timing ... likely it was a dress she has owned for a while.
This was such a wonderful gesture of support by Mrs. O and Dr. B. I'm sure the visit lifted the spirits of those around them, and I'm glad Mrs. O took the detour there before Mexico.
And on the style tip, her skinny pants, navy button-down and flats look awesome. Can't go wrong with that ensemble!
Anyone know what time she lands in Mexico?
@ IVA, nope and it is not posted anywhere. I'm waiting too.
If no one appreciated it, I'm sure the kids did. They painted with them and everything.
Here's a snippet of her in Haiti.
http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/19129130
The Obama/Biden team, was not only the right team for 2008 election; but Mrs. O and Dr.B are still
making the role of FLOTUS and VP WIFE look soooo easy.
It was really such a wonderful show of support for the Haitian people, I am sure the First Lady of
Haiti appreciated the visit.
On the fashion note, she couldn't miss with jeans and flats. Anxiously awaiting photos from Mexico.
LADIES THE AP HAS RAW VIDEO OF THE FLOTUS LEAVING THE WHITEHOUSE IN A US NAVY
HELICOPTER AND LANDING IN HAITI.
I am glad to see the First and Second Ladies keep this tragedy in the fore front of our minds. How admirable that they go down there as a team.
We are so fortunate to have two strong, loving, and intelligent women representing our country. They do us all proud by working as a unit.
For once I don't even care what she's wearing--I'm so proud of her compassionate gesture and her effort to keep us from forgetting about Haiti. I'm just thrilled that we're represented by Mrs. O and Dr. Biden!
Well put Bevi! There could not be two better people for the job.
Just heard on CNN that FLOTUS will be giving her first interview on the Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer coming up in the show. (The show is now on, but FLOTUS' part has not aired yet.)
The Obama's and the Biden's are a team that works together and I am so very proud of all of them. I love both families and do think that they are great representatives for the United States of America.
Keep up the great work, ladies. You are both FABULOUS and look marvelous today.
I'm so proud of our first and second ladies. This visit and the daily struggle of the good people of Haiti (even before the earthquake) remind us that fashion is a lovely but trivial conversation, ultimately. Brava to Mrs. O and Mrs. B for reminding all of us that there's work to be done. In a lot of places.
... CNN now reports the interview will air tomorrow
Oh this was amazing. What a fabulous thing to do. Couldn't agree more with Bevi about this action keeping Haiti in the forefront of our minds.
And what a team Dr B and Mrs O make! Both compassionate, intelligent and so very, very elegant. Brilliant.
@ Nyon - You never disappoint. I am truly impressed with the way you ALWAYS find articles / pics/ videos sooo quickly. I can't see this one though so I am disappointed with that.
I think that Michelle should have been named Joy because she certainly brings joy to all the people she meets with, especially children.
Cute outfit though. Suits the heat that we are experiencing in the Caribbean these days.
I am somewhat concerned that Mrs. Obama is dressed too casually - notice that the president and first lady of Haiti and other officials in the picture are not dressed casuallly. I don't think it's a good idea to give the impression that the FLOTUS is "camping out" and perhaps not respecting the positions of the leaders of Haiti. I would like to have seen Mrs. O wear a jacket and perhaps a scarf to make the outfit more put-together. Are those really jeans? Certainly she should not wear jeans. After all, Mrs. Obama was not working in rubble or in a hospital.
THAT GOOD THAT MRS OBAMA WENT SHE SEES WHAT IS GOING ON OVER THERE AND TO MAKE SURE THE THE MONEY THEY GIVE IS GOING TO A GOOD PLACE NOT THE HAITE PEOPLE BUT THE COUNRY. SHE DIDNT GO TO THE POOR PLACE SHE WENT TO A GOOD PLACE WERE EVERYTHING IS NOT TO DAMAGE AND SHE EVEAN ATE THERE FOOD SHE SAID ITS GOOD.LOVE WHAT SHE WAS WEARRING FLAT SHOES PANTS AND A SAMPLE SHIRT CANT WEIT TO SEE WHAT SHE IS WEARRING FOR MEXICO SHE AREADY THERE. AM SURE THAT MR T WILL PULL UP A PIC OF HER AND MRS BIDEN SHE WENT TO WITH HER.
What a fabulous First Lady & second lady we have!!! Mrs O and Jill Biden both rock!!!
Wow our First Lady never ceases to amaze me. She is so warm and friendly you can really relate to her, which is one of the reasons why I consider her my role model in more ways than one.
Yes. Very nice and happy. But until Haiti takes responsibility for its own problems, it's so much eye wash.
What a wonderful endeavor that our FLOTUS and SLOTUS are engaging in. They sure do make us proud the way they represent us.....CLASS ACTS ALL THE WAY!
I just love this woman and I am so happy and proud to have her represent us around the world. Thank you Mrs. O and Mrs. B for keeping a light on Haiti. Love Dr. Jill to! First Lady of Haiti is quite a beautiful woman herself.
I am so thrilled that they made this trip as the attention on the Haiti devastation is waning as attention to other world affairs dominate the news. These people continue to do amazing things as Tea Partiers spew venom and make fools out of themselves with the very ignorant Sarah Failin! Obama/Biden 2012!
I really wanna see a pic of the picture she painted!
My new job as me tired as of late, so I haven't been posting as usual. But my FLOTUS steals my heart. I truly love her as if she were my own flesh and blood.
Wow, oh wow. Thank you Mrs. Obama for being who you are.
And thank you Mrs. T for not mentioning who she is wearing!!! This is so much bigger than that :D
Sometimes Ms. Obama just make me soooo proud and happy I can't even put it to words.
Two very inspiring wonderful human beings... and they always look beautiful :)))) A hard act to follow these two... hope their hubbies are in there another 4 .......
I am speechless. The most touching moments in life leave us without words.
S-P-E-C-T-A--C-U-L-A-R on arrival in Mexico City
WOW!
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama#photoViewer=/100414/ids_photos_wl/r2856125474.jpg
I'd love to get my hands on the suit that Madame Preval is wearing, and her shoes! She looks fabulous.
Anyways I think that it was Erin who said that the needs of the Haitian people are secondary to the discussion of fashion or something to that effect. I paraphrase. She is correct. I'm glad the Ladies did this because it reminds me that I promised to donate again.
How nice of them to stop by and spread a little bit of joy and see for themselves, as well as ensure that Haiti doesn't get forgotten.
What a well dressed team the two of them make, on top of being beautiful and smart women.
Others have mentioned in past threads but Dr. B dresses quite well for her age, and it would be nice to know who she's wearing when she's w/ Mrs. O
Mrs. T - Can u post some of the Mexico pics pls. Mrs. O is wearing a dress that I think we've seen before.
Daylife has great photos of Mrs. O's arrival in Mexico too. I like the colour and the bangles!
I must say, I finally understand why some posters are so taken by Mrs. O's actions that they are oblivious to her rare fashion faux pas. Because I have a personal connection to this story and that country, for once, I really could not care less what she is wearing (but I must tell you she is dressed exactly right for the location and the occasion)!
So many reporters and visitors to Haiti have said “YOU CANNOT IMAGINE THE DEVASTATION THERE UNTIL YOU SEE IN IN PERSON”, so their visit is enormous and has brought the focus back to this tiny broken hearted island, reminding us that we should still continue to contribute any way that we can, we never know when a natural disaster can strike.
What a well-timed visit, and so glad to see Haiti being remembered still 3 months later. I too love the Mrs O and Dr B team. Such wonderful, intelligent and compassionate women. I too am proud to be an American (no pun intended, these ladies do make me very proud)! Keep up the good work.
Here is video of Mrs. O previewing her Mexico trip on her plane wearing the beautiful blue floral dress and her arriving in Mexico and being greeted there---she looks so good and she seems really excited about it--she was literally bouncing down the steps. You can tell she takes good care of herself inside and out. Her energy and joy are very evident....so so proud of our First Lady:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_F2OLJ7vf0
First Lady and VP Lady in their own words:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iH2uA9gWZAk
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/13/michelle-obama-mexico-fir_n_536634.html
Scroll down - best picture yet of the dress she wore in Mexico. She wore shiny red flat shoes - red, white and blue - go Mrs. O! Represent!
Mrs. C.: Mrs. O. was indeed wearing a navy jacket at first, which looked great with her white pants. She was shown wearing the jacket on an NBC Evening News report. I am sure that she doffed the jacket since it must be quite hot there.
That video of FLOTUS bouncing down the steps of Air Force One has made my day. She is so hard working. So giving. If anyone has issues with the great work that FLOTUS is doing then I truly feel sorry for them. This lady has not stopped working since the days of her husband's campaign. I particularly like the way she is focused on motivating young people. I wish Michelle was around 20 years ago. I needed a mentor growing up. I really did.
I look forward to checking this site and the internet daily to keep up to date with the great work that she is doing. I am completely hooked. Her arrival dress in Mexico is simply beautiful and I can't wait to see more pictures of her during her trip. I understand she will be stopping off in San Diego on her return home and then off to Poland for the President's funeral on Saturday. May God continue to bless and keep the Obama's.
Here's a link to a video of her arrival in its entirety (in Spanish). I wish I had learned this language in my school days!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKDfJWZypA4
@Mrs. C please stop it, she is walking through rubble. Have you been to Haiti lately. I have and she is very appropriately dressed.
@ Mrs. C: Mrs. O is dressed appropriately for where she is and what she is doing. The First Lady of Haiti is also dressed quite casually unless you consider an anorak jacket "dressed up". The woman on the other side of Mrs.O is in khakis. I don't see your point.
Awww, thanks Trinisamba. When I find something, I have to share it with my Mrs. O peeps (well the ones that I like, LOL)
BTW, for those who may think that the shirt look was too casual (But I must tell you, the Haitian heat is not for the faints of heart), Mrs. O was wearing a bluish/grey khaki material and she did have a blue blazer on when she deplaned the helicopter. See NBC news link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/ns/nightly_news#36483872