First lady hosts International Women's Day luncheon

First lady Melania Trump is applauded as she arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017, for President Donald Trump's speech to a joint session of Congress. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Melania Trump is hosting a luncheon on International Women's Day. It's her first solo White House event as first lady.

The U.N.-designated day commemorates the push for women's rights. Women across the U.S. are observing the day by skipping work and shopping, and attending rallies.

At the White House, the first lady welcomed about 50 women seated at tables adorned with floral centerpieces of pharaoh tulips and sweet pea flowers in shades of purple.

Attendees included her daughter-in-law, Ivanka Trump; Vice President Mike Pence's wife, Karen; White House counselor Kellyanne Conway; and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

Reporters were led out of the room as the first lady began to speak.

She and President Donald Trump were having dinner later Wednesday with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and his wife, Heidi.