International Women's Day Celebration

In celebration of International Women's Day, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed a powerful and talented group of women to the White House for a reception.

Actress Kerry Washington, best known for her role as Ray Charles' wife in the movie Ray, emceed the event. Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright spoke at the event and American Idol runner-up Katharine McPhee and Afghan singer Mozhdah Jamalzadah performed songs they felt were empowering to women.

"The story of America's women, like the story of America itself, has had its peaks and valleys," President Obama said. "But as one of our great American educators once said, if you drew a line through all the valleys and all the peaks, that line would be drawn with an upward curve."

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and outgoing White House social secretary Desiree Rogers, as well as additional cabinet members and female members of Congress attended the event, held in the East Room of the White House. Local high schools were invited as well as local Girl Scout troops.

— Report and photographs by Kate Oczypok

Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, right, talks to a guest

Outgoing White House social secretary Desiree Rogers

Emcee Kerry Washington

Katharine McPhee

Afghan singer  Mozhdah Jamalzadah