First lady christenes Cutter Stratton

PASCAGOULA, Mississippi (WALA) - Michelle Obama spent Friday morning in Pascagoula. She christened a Coast Guard cutter that honored a champion for women's rights.

The First Lady didn't let a stubborn champagne bottle stop her.

She kept trying and it broke on the second swing.

The ship Mrs. Obama christened honors one woman who fought for many.

"As a woman, a mom of two daughters and as an American, I stand in awe of her life of service," Michelle Obama said.

The National Security Cutter Stratton was named after the late Captain Dorothy Stratton, the Coast Guard's first female commissioned officer.

Stratton was a lifetime advocate for women's rights, and her persistence opened the door for the thousands of women serving in the military today.

"Captain Stratton taught us what's possible when people are given their opportunity to show their potential," Obama said.

"Even though women made progress in our careers, and family lives and military, women are still not quite at that equal with men," one visitor said.

"We somehow forgot that one makes a difference," another visitor said.

This ship stands as a proud reminder of that. And the First Lady felt it was worth a trip down from Washington to celebrate it.

Mrs. Obama also addressed the crude crisis during her speech. She said the Obama administration is committed to bringing life back to normal.

She also said she's looking forward to her upcoming family vacation to the Gulf Coast. She said she's not sure yet where they'll be headed.