First Lady to 'Join Forces' with military families in LA

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MICHELLE OBAMA — A black first lady is a coup in itself but one such as Michelle Obama is divine. Education, our history preaches, is the ultimate liberator and Michelle Obama and her husband are living proof of that. A descendant of slaves, with grandparents who left the South for Chicago, Michelle, who lists both Princeton and Harvard among her alma maters, is the modern everywoman, juggling it all—-career, husband and children. Whether it’s planting a garden at the White House, inspiring young girls to dream big or befriending the Queen of England, Michelle does it with style and grace, leading by example on her own terms. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan,File)

By Scott Weber
From NBC Los Angeles

First Lady Michelle Obama will be in Los Angeles Monday to bring awareness to a program that supports military families and to attend a fundraiser for President Barack Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.

The Entertainment Guilds are hosting the First Lady for a special “Joining Forces” event to discuss the stories and issues of today’s military families so that their experiences can be integrated into film, television and digital media.

“Joining Forces” is a national initiative that mobilizes various sectors of society to give service members and their families support, according to the White House’s website.

The panel will be moderated by writer-director J.J. Abrams and will feature “Army Wives” creator Katherine Fugate.

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Directors Guild of America, Producers Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild and the Writers Guild of America West are participating in the program. They have collectively formed a “Joining Forces” task force to provide creative and production support for the initiative.

The First Lady will also film a special appearance on Nickelodeon’s “iCarly” to talk about “Joining Forces.”

Later, the First lady plans to attend a private luncheon fundraiser in Pasadena where
about 500 people are expected to attend. She will conclude her visit at 7 p.m. where she is scheduled to deliver remarks at a Democratic National Committee dinner in Los Angeles.

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