Michelle Obama has been immensely supported by the media for taking a stand in Saudi Arabia by respectfully choosing not to wear a headscarf in support of women everywhere. People have said that it is a symbol to demonstrate women should not be muted or denied access to simple rights like driving a car or access to education. This tradition has been long standing and although there is a lot of progress in this area, we have so much more work to do.
Michelle Obama is among many other powerful women who have also taken a stand for women everywhere.
via Think Progress: “PHOTOS: Female Leaders Besides Michelle Obama Who Didn’t Wear A Headscarf In Saudi Arabia”
Michelle Obama paid her respects for the late king of Saudi Arabia along with her husband Barack Obama on Tuesday.
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German Chancellor Angela Merkel goes bare-headed in Saudi Arabian King’s Palace May 2010.
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No scarf for U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton when she met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal, right, and Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Hamad Al-Sabah in March 2012.
CREDIT: AP
First Lady Laura Bush had tea sans headscarf with Saudi King Abdullah at the Riyadh Airport in May 2008.
CREDIT: AP
Although she did try one one on in a visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in 2007.
CREDIT: AP
Condoleezza Rice arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia without a scarf in hand (or on head) in July 2007.
CREDIT: AP
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice shook hands with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal after a signing ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in May 2008.
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As you can see, this is a long standing tradition and it is up to us to continue it forward as we take a stand for women everywhere.
H/T Think Progress
