Two of the nation’s most powerful — and revered — women came together at the State Department yesterday.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took to the stage yesterday to present eight women with the State Department Women of Courage Awards.

While the honorees — nominated by US ambassadors across the world — were the day’s heroines, it was Mrs. Obama and Clinton who stole the show.

Promising that women’s rights will always be a part of our nation’s foreign policy, Mrs. Clinton said the world "can’t solve problems of financial crisis, climate change, disease and poverty if half of the population is left behind." She also took some time to celebrate Mrs. Obama, and referenced her own time as First Lady, "Now I know a little bit about the role that Michelle Obama is filling now … I have to say that in a very short time she has, through her grace and her wisdom, become an inspiration to women and girls, not only in the United States, but around the world." Mrs. Obama also lavished Mrs. Clinton, her husband’s former rival, with praise, "We are honored and thrilled to have her serving in this role. She set the bar high in her last post. And I’m confident that she’s going to keep setting the bar high in this post."

As for women’s rights, Mrs. Obama insisted ladies are integral to a community’s health. Via CNN: "The difference between a broken community and a thriving one is the presence of women who are valued, where relationships among women and between women and men are based upon mutual respect."

Obama said the work done by the honorees has not just changed their own circumstances, but by inspiring hope and motivating others to act, that work also has changed women’s lives around the world.

This is how real change occurs, one determined woman at a time. And change is coming. The women we honor today teach us three very important lessons. One, that as women, we must stand up for ourselves. The second, as women we must stand up for each other. And finally, as women we must stand up for justice for all.

And that’s the truth, Ruth!

This year’s honorees included Niger’s Hadizatou Mani, who fights slavery in her home country, and Mutabar Tadjibayeva, who fights for women’s rights in her native Uzbekistan. See a run down here!