New York – The US First Lady Melania Trump on Monday (September 23) rang the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange in celebration of the well being of children, a pillar of her Be Best campaign.
Melania Trump was greeted by Stacey Cunningham, President of the NYSE and provided a brief tour of the historic building, including a stop at the Buttonwood Agreement. This agreement, signed in 1792, is considered to be the foundation of what would eventually become the New York Stock Exchange.
The First Lady spoke with fourth grade students from the United Nations International School in Siebert Hall – named after the first female member on the NYSE, Muriel Siebert. The students presented Melania Trump with a framed copy of the United Nations International School’s mission statement.
Melania Trump in a statement released from the White House said: “Today’s visit to the historic New York Stock Exchange was very special and it was made even more so by spirited students from the United Nations International School. Today was about celebrating children and the message of BE BEST. The NYSE is a great example of the strength of our economic system, which allows programs to grow and to support children around the globe. I want to thank Stacey and the entire New York Stock Exchange for welcoming me today – it was an honor to ring the Opening Bell.”
The First Lady also visited the Bond Room, which contains some of the country’s oldest government bonds, to meet with other leadership from the NYSE and sign the guest book. She was presented with a New York Stock Exchange medallion, the ceremonial gift presented to bell ringers, and a bull statue, an iconic symbol of New York’s financial markets.