Office of the First Lady

First Lady Melania Trump Calls on Women to Be Courageous and Take Risks

The White House

March 12, 2026

First Lady Melania Trump spotlighted the powerful role women play in developing America’s future, “the strength of America is closely tied to the role women play in shaping their children’s character, education, and morals. The values cultivated within our communities shape the voice and vision of our next generation.”

First Lady Melania Trump and President Donald J. Trump hosted a special gathering at the White House today in recognition of Women’s History Month, welcoming accomplished working mothers and women from across America who are leaders in business, athletics, law enforcement, government, and civil society.

Mrs. Trump called on women to pursue their ambitions with confidence, saying, “make time for yourself, educate yourself daily, and spread your passion. Be courageous and take risks.”

Reflecting on her own experiences, Mrs. Trump emphasized the benefits of being a curious-minded individual, “curiosity begets knowledge, opening doors to ideas and industries that I may have otherwise overlooked.” She continued, “markets evolve, technologies change, but the fundamentals of thoughtful leadership and continuous learning are everlasting.”

The First Lady concluded her remarks by welcoming her husband, President Trump, to the stage, whom she praised for his commitment to promoting women in leadership roles throughout his career.

Mrs. Trump’s full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are included below.

American Women, Be Courageous & Take Risks

It is wonderful to see the White House filled with so many effective women today.

The strength of America is closely tied to the role women play in shaping their children’s character, education, and morals. The values cultivated within our communities shape the voice and vision of our next generation.

A woman’s influence strengthens our democracy, capital markets, and time-tested business institutions.

Across the country today, women are finding unique ways to balance career ambition and family. We all know these incredible women. They dominate America’s workforce now more than ever before.

As a visionary, I know success is not borne over night, but rather, takes shape after a long, and sometimes challenging process. Often alone at the top, I follow my passion, listen to my instinct, and always maintain a laser focus. In solitude my creative mind dances—filling my imagination with originality.

Attention to detail, demanding schedules, and multi-tasking are everyday realities when building towards success. This principle resonates across all my roles: as a mother, humanitarian, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. As well as with my new film, where I shaped its creative direction, served as producer, managed post-production, and activated the marketing campaign.

Curiosity is a core value that keeps me ahead of the curve. Curiosity begets knowledge, opening doors to ideas and industries that I may have otherwise overlooked. This unrestricted mindset has led me to build across very different sectors: fashion, digital assets, publishing, accessories, skincare, commercial television, and of course, filmmaking.

The lessons I learned when launching my earliest ventures, such as how to build a brand, create superior product design, and activate an advertising campaign, remain just as relevant today. Markets evolve, technologies change, but the fundamentals of thoughtful leadership and continuous learning are everlasting.

To all of the young women, entrepreneurs, and future leaders: Make time for yourself, educate yourself daily, and spread your passion. Be courageous and take risks. Advance your profession through inspiration. Be a bold chief executive while keeping your family—if you choose so—at the center of our nation’s future.

It is my privilege to introduce our Commander in Chief, who throughout his career has demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting women in leadership roles. Please welcome President Donald J. Trump.