On Tuesday afternoon, during the International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony held at the State Department, Melania Trump emphasized that love serves as a “universal language” that transcends all boundaries.

First Lady Melania Trump presided over the International Women of Courage Award Ceremony, accompanied by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who acted as the guest speaker and formally introduced her to the attendees.

In her opening remarks, Melania Trump conveyed a personal reflection on the importance of love in her life: “Throughout my life, I have drawn strength from love during difficult times. It has motivated me to practice forgiveness, nurture relationships, and demonstrate courage when faced with unexpected challenges. Today, we honor courage—a strength deeply rooted in love. This is exemplified by our honorees, who have shown that love can lead to remarkable bravery.” The poised First Lady then praised the courageous women who “expressed their love and refused to allow fear or adversity to define their lives.”

Among the honorees was Georgiana Pascu from Romania, recognized for her unwavering advocacy for institutionalized children and adults with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities. Her relentless efforts in defending human rights earned her one of the prestigious awards at the event.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio also highlighted the significance of safeguarding women and girls and advancing their welfare as key American objectives.

Melania’s complete address at the 19th annual International Women of Courage Awards Ceremony was noted, with Rubio adding, “These goals are also a strong priority for our president, Donald Trump.”

While the First Lady does not frequently make public appearances, her participation in the International Women of Courage Awards is a familiar sight. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed earlier on Tuesday that this marks her fifth involvement in the ceremony.