Former first lady Michelle Obama inspires sold out crowd in Montreal (PHOTOS)
Former first lady Michelle Obama inspired a sold-out crowd of over 10,000 people at the at the Palais des congrès on Monday evening.
Obama was in town for the Bell International Leaders series, organized by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. Canada’s very own “First Lady” Sophie Grégoire Trudeau and Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante were also in attendance.
Sévrine Labelle, president of women’s entrepreneurial group Femmessor, was on stage interviewing Obama. “Every time you speak in front of an audience, magic happens,” Labelle told Obama. “Tonight is no exception.”
The conversation covered a range of topics revolving women’s empowerment, education leadership, and confidence.
“We’ve got to be figuring out how we can change the status quo. Which means if you’re ever sitting at a table that looks like one gender, one race, you have to question that,” said Obama as the crowd responded with applause.
There’s no doubt that Montreal showed a lot of love towards Obama last night as her words resonated with those in the crowd.
“It’s going to be hard to leave and go back home,” Obama joked with the audience.
The former first lady has several more speaking engagements in Canada, including upcoming stops in Vancouver and Calgary.
“You’re part of the problem if you are not willing to look around, question the status quo and make changes” @MichelleObama to Business leaders on Diversity & Inclusivity #LeadersBellCCMM
— Vanessa Cherenfant (@vcherenfant) February 6, 2018
« Are men willing to give more seats at the table? How much are they willing to give up power? How far woman are willing to go to have a place at the table? » #MichelleObama #LeadersBellCCMM pic.twitter.com/UOACfmaZ5l
— Stéfanie Tougas (@StefTougas) February 6, 2018
The presidency doesn’t change who you are. It reveals who you are.#ObamaCCMM #LeadersBellCCMM pic.twitter.com/hQhAkWxi3L
— Olivier Lapierre (@O_Lapierre) February 6, 2018
« Politics is a people contact sport” @MichelleObama #LeadersBellCCMM pic.twitter.com/3Hpo1q8x0P
— Tamara Carver (@DrTamaraCarver) February 6, 2018
When they go low, you go high! @MichelleObama raised the roof thanks @chambremontreal #LeadersBellCCMM pic.twitter.com/DnBPP9ZJJq
— Sandra Parker (@LciSandra) February 6, 2018