WASHINGTON - Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau and Michelle Obama are joining forces in Washington to highlight an American project to help adolescent girls get a quality education.

Obama told the event at the U.S. Institute for Peace that some 62 million girls around the world are currently not in school.

She says she hopes the world will unite around the issue to change their fate.

Gregoire Trudeau says Canada understands that gender equality and gender empowerment should be a top priority.

She also says an educated society leads to more peace and justice.

Obama calls Gregoire Trudeau an inspiring role model in Canada and around the world -- not to mention beautiful and funny.