The first lady made the remarks Tuesday during a New York City luncheon she hosted for the spouses of foreign dignitaries.

Mrs. Obama spoke to about 50 spouses of chiefs of state and heads of government who are attending the UN General Assembly.

They were gathered in the main gallery of The Studio Museum in Harlem.

Mrs. Obama lauded the many cultural luminaries who once performed in the upper Manhattan neighborhood, including jazz musician Louis Armstrong and poet Langston Hughes. She said Harlem is a "thread that connects all of us here today."

Mrs. Obama encouraged the women to share ideas about how they are improving the lives of women in their own countries.