The Final State of the Union
This is historical material “frozen in time”. The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work.
Summary:
As part of the“Let Girls Learn” initiative to open the doors of education for girls around the world, First Lady Michelle Obama traveled to Tokyo, Japan; Kyoto, Japan; and Siem Reap, Cambodia from March 18 to March 22, 2015. Take a look at her trip in pictures.
As part of the “Let Girls Learn” initiative to open the doors of education for girls around the world, First Lady Michelle Obama traveled to Tokyo, Japan; Kyoto, Japan; and Siem Reap, Cambodia from March 18 to March 22, 2015. Take a look at her trip in pictures:
“Educating girls is the best investment we can make, not just in their future, but in the future of their families, their communities, and their countries.” — The First Lady in Tokyo, Japan
First Lady Michelle Obama visits Kyoto during her trip to Japan. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
The Emperor and Empress greet the First Lady at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
Bystanders watch the First Lady's motorcade in Kyoto. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
First Lady Michelle Obama, Amb. Caroline Kennedy, and Jack Schlossberg visit the Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist Temple. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
Senior Monk Eigen Onishi guides the First Lady on a tour of the temple. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
First Lady Michelle Obama, Eigen Onishi, Amb. Caroline Kennedy, and Jack Schlossberg watch Noh dancers perform. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
The First Lady participates in the ritual of cleaning the hands and drinking from Otowa Waterfall. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
First Lady Michelle Obama, Amb. Caroline Kennedy, and Jack Schlossberg participate in a tea ceremony. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
The First Lady practices making tea under the guidance of a tea master. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
Eigen Onishi thanks the First Lady for her visit to Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
Taiko drummers perform with the First Lady at Fushimi Inari Shinto Shrine in Kyoto. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
The First Lady talks with Taiko drummers. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
The First Lady is guided through the torri gates of the shrine. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
Bystanders watch as the First Lady departs the shrine. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
Students welcome First Lady Michelle Obama and First Lady Bun Rany as they arrive at Hun Sen Prasat Bakorng high school in Siem Reap, Cambodia. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
“You all are living proof that we can’t afford to let this kind of talent go unsupported.” — The First Lady in Siem Reap, Cambodia
"Room to Read" students discuss the value of education during a "Let Girls Learn" initiative event. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
The First Lady listens to the stories of girls striving to get an education in Cambodia. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
“I want all the girls to work hard in their studies. No matter what we face, we need to overcome them. Only education can change everything.” — Sohang Vean, a 12th grade student in Siem Reap, Cambodia
The First Lady thanks students for sharing their inspirational stories after a "Let Girls Learn" event. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
The First Lady delivers remarks regarding the "Let Girls Learn" initiative to Peace Corps volunteers at the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
“When girls get educated — when they learn to read and write and think — that gives them the tools to speak up and to talk about injustice, and to demand equal treatment. It helps them participate in the political life of their country and hold their leaders accountable, call for change when their needs and aspirations aren’t being met.” — The First Lady in Siem Reap, Cambodia
The First Lady greets Peace Corps volunteers. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
The First Lady, Chief of Staff Tina Tchen and Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler discuss the successful launch of "Let Girls Learn." (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
The First Lady participates in a roundtable discussion regarding the "Let Girls Learn" initiative. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
Mony Pech guides the First Lady on a tour of Angkor Wat in Angkor, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
Bystanders take photos as the First Lady tours Angkor Wat. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
The First Lady takes in a view of Angkor Wat. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
The First Lady is silhouetted among Angkor Wat's columns. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
The First Lady concludes her tour of Angkor Wat. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
The First Lady visits Ta Phrom temple. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
The Bayon is the final stop on the First Lady's visit to Angkor Wat and surrounding temples. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
The First Lady waves prior to departure from Siem Reap, Cambodia. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
