President Trump celebrated the accomplishments of his wife Melania and several members of his Cabinet on Wednesday at a panel honoring Women’s History Month and female entrepreneurs.
“My Cabinet is full of really incredible women leaders,” the president told dozens of White House guests gathered in the East Room for the mid-afternoon event. “We really have these strong women and they’re with me and they’re with us.”
The panel featured Linda McMahon, administrator for the Small Business Administration; U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley; Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi; Seema Verma, director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
The first lady was also present and insisted on her husband’s attendance, he quipped during his remarks.
“Melania is a very highly accomplished woman and really an inspiration to so many, and she is doing such a great job,” Trump said, adding to laughter that “her poll numbers went through the roof last week.”
Trump worked closely with his daughter Ivanka and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last month to establish the first-ever joint Council for the Advancement of Women Business Leaders and Female Entrepreneurs. He vowed on Wednesday to continue expanding opportunities for women and ensuring “that our economy is a place where women can work.”
“We want every daughter in America to grow up in a country where she can believe in herself, believe in her future, follow her heart and realize her dream,” the president said. “And we want a country that celebrates family, that celebrates community and creates a safe and loving home for every child.”
Trump recognized several historic female figures at Wednesday’s event including former First Lady Abigail Adams, women’s rights leader Susan B. Anthony, and the black abolitionist Harriet Tubman.
