Kat heading to Capitol Hill next week to lobby Congress for issues important to women around the world.

Kerry Washington will be in town Monday to celebrate International Women's Day at the White House, where she'll be joined by musician Katharine McPhee and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

http://washingtonscene.thehill.com/...pitol-hill

katharinemcphee Just landed in DC. Did I mention I'm singing at The White House tommorow? Craziness. Got to rush and get to my hotel and watch the Oscars! about 1 hour ago via web

What an honor for Kat to be asked to join this event & perform at the White House.

SF Examiner

'First Lady Michelle Obama is honoring International women's day by having a reception honoring women around the world. She will be joined by President Barack Obama. International Women's Day is held on March 8 of every year around the world. This reception’s program will also include actress Kerry Washington as Emcee, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Afghani singer Mozdah Jamalzadah and singer Katharine McPhee.

It is a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments, and more importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.'

From Getty Images:

some tweets from Kat

Singing at The White House went great. Happy International womens day!!! Got to sing for all the women all over the world. Yeah! & meeting

A president and First lady is alway cool too!!!!

Kat provides levity 

 Obama hails contributions of 'daring' women

(AP) – 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON — Crediting their role in the American story, President Barack Obama on Monday praised the nation's "daring, indomitable" women — including the one-time political rival who is now his secretary of state.

"Women like Hillary Rodham Clinton, who, throughout her career, has put millions of cracks in America's glass ceiling," Obama said in the grand East Room packed mostly with women. "It's because of them — and so many others, many who aren't recorded in the history books — that the story of America is, ultimately, one of hope and one of progress, of an upward journey."

Obama and Clinton competed for the Democratic nomination for the White House in 2008. After a fierce, protracted fight, Obama won enough delegates and Clinton conceded. But she didn't exit the race without noting that "although we weren't able to shatter that highest, hardest glass ceiling this time, thanks to you, it's got about 18 million cracks in it."

Obama praised Clinton for her long-standing work on women's rights.

"We're doing all of this not only because promoting women's empowerment is one of the best ways to promote economic development and economic success," Obama said. "We are doing it because it's the right thing to do. I say that not only as a president, but also as the father of two daughters, as a son and a grandson, and as a husband."

In a reception for International Women's Day, first lady Michelle Obama took the opportunity to tweak her husband. "So I get to speak first while he stands and watches. I love this," she said to laughter. "Look at me adoringly," she told him.

"I can do that," Obama said, standing at her side.

Obama returned the humor. He spoke of women like his wife who have looked across the dinner table and thought, "I'm smarter than that guy."

While the reception included light moments — "American Idol" contestant Katharine McPhee blew a kiss in Obama's direction — Obama pledged to work on empowering women both at home and abroad.

"The fundamental truth (is) that in 2010, full gender equality has not yet been achieved; that the task of perfecting America goes on; and that all of us, men and women, have a part to play in bending the arc in America's story upward in the 21st century," Obama said.

The president said the nation's progress thus far was no accident. "It came about because of daring, indomitable women."

She is such a great person. I love it! The UPI article stated that she was one of the four women honored at the event. I'm really happy she enjoyed it.

"The reception honored actress Kerry Washington, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Afghan singer Mozdah Jamalzadah and singer Katharine McPhee."

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010...268063983/

Here it is.  Jumping is too much work.

WASHINGTON, March 8 (UPI) -- The White House Monday honored women first lady Michell Obama said were some of the most accomplished -- and some of the most low-key -- in U.S. history.

"But we're here today not just to pay tribute to leaders and icons and household names," she said during an International Women's Day reception. "During Women's History Month we're also here to honor the quiet heroes who've shaped this country from the very beginning. We honor the women who traveled those lonely roads to be the first ones in those courtrooms, to be the first ones in those boardrooms, to be the first ones on those playing fields, and to be the first ones on those battlefields."

While honoring women's accomplishments in all walks of life, Obama asked that "we recommit ourselves to carrying on their work for our own daughters and granddaughters, and also for our sons and our grandsons, too."

The reception honored actress Kerry Washington, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Afghan singer Mozdah Jamalzadah and singer Katharine McPhee.

President Barack Obama said the story of America's women parallels the story of America, with peaks and valleys showing an upward curve.

"That upward curve -- what we call progress -- didn't happen by accident," he said. "It came about because of daring, indomitable women."

Obama noted what the United States is doing to help advance women's causes worldwide, as well. Among other things, he noted his administration lifted a global gag rule restricting women's access to family planning services abroad while pursuing a global health strategy investing in child and maternal health. The United States also sponsored U.N. resolution to increase protection for women and girls in conflict-torn countries.

"We're doing all of this not only because promoting women's empowerment is one of the best ways to promote economic development and economic success," he said. "We are doing it because it's the right thing to do."

© 2010 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Here is the video embedded.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/201...natio.html

transcript of a lot of what was said

So now we know, the Pres knows who Katharine is - -  "where's katharine? I know she's around here somewhere, I just saw her." 

C'mon, dalki, cut goodie a little slack. Katharine's like another granddaughter to him. He loves to rave about her.

So she's performed in front of George Bush, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton now?  I don't know who else was at the Christmas In Washington thing maybe she's got even more than that.  How many ex-Idols can say that?

The transition back to brunette isn't quite all the way there obviously but she still looks way more like herself for me. 

Well at least we still have the short hair to fret over. 

That was a terrific performance!!! I haven't taken the time to watch all the rest. But it seems to me that there is a fine line between being an honoree and being the "talent."    I don't know how she got this gig, but like Goodie, I'm pleased over the international recognition it will bring her, if only for a day (let's hope not).

What a fantastic performance! Our girl has certainly arrived!  She looked stunning as usual too. Loved the response she received from the crowd and the smiles I could see on people's faces while she was singing.