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First Lady Michelle Obama will be in Denver today with an entourage of A-list celebrities and officials for a whirlwind tour meant to highlight the need for mentoring in young women’s lives.
You might recognize a few of the mentors, such as actresses Susan Sarandon and Traci Ellis Ross, or Colorado’s first lady, Jeannie Ritter, and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis (via Politico).
Denver was chosen for the visit because of its diverse population. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 34.4 percent of Denver is Hispanic, 10.1 percent is African-American, and 3.4 percent is Asian-American.
“Mentors can have an enormously positive impact in the lives of young people,” Congresswoman Betsy Markey, a participant from northern Colorado, tells the Fort Collins Coloradoan. “The first lady’s mentoring initiative is a powerful step in the right direction for our schools and our communities, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Obama will visit with women leaders at a luncheon at the governor’s mansion today. In the afternoon, the women will fan out to different schools to discuss their careers and speak with students. Obama plans to visit South High School, where 30 students were selected by teachers for their leadership skills to enjoy a private audience with the first lady, according to 9News, which is planning to host a live Webcast of the luncheon event at noon.
Posted 11/16/2009 at 10:00 am by Michael de Yoanna
Education, Panorama, People, Politics :: Permalink :: Comments
