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Michelle and Sarah hold wives' summit
Joe Murphy, Political Editor2 Mar 2009
SARAH Brown and Michelle Obama will hold a "Spouses' Summit" in Washington this week.
The two leaders' wives, both 45, will spend time getting to know each other in what is being called an introductory meeting with no politics attached.
Both women, however, are steeped in political campaigns, and diplomats expect them to find common ground on issues including African development and women's rights.
Mrs Brown is involved in putting together an itinerary for the spouses of world leaders attending next month's G20 economic summit in London.
As a patron of charities supporting women's rights and safer childbirth, she may seek support for projects to improve care for women in Africa, where up to one in seven dies giving birth. Raised in Tanzania until she was eight, she visited the country 18 months ago to support projects.
Mrs Obama, whose great-great grandfather, Jim Robinson, was a slave in South Carolina, has been hailed as the most glamorous First Lady in years and played a high-profile role in her husband's election campaign.
Reader views (6)
Aha, the real power behind the throne! lets hope they can reverse some of the mess caused by Bush & Blair.
- Gordon, UK, 03/03/2009 07:38
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The words, "So what?" spring immediately to mind.....
- Rogan, Irving, 03/03/2009 06:41
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She has the same right as her husband to speak for the country.......NONE!
- Mark, London, 02/03/2009 14:17
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I don't recall voting for Sarah Brown (I didn't vote for her husband either but that's another story), so I object to her flying to America on my money and professing to espouse my views.
- Paul, London, 02/03/2009 13:22
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This is the first I've heard of Sarah Brown's "political campaigns"? No disrespect intended, but putting together an itinerary for spouses hardly counts; I mean, isn't that just a glorified shopping trip?
- Marianne, SW France, 02/03/2009 12:15
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A spouses summit eh?That will be a load of hot air.
- Steve, London, 02/03/2009 11:53
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