The White House named an Iranian-American woman who started a flower business out of her parents' garage to be its new chief florist September 17.
First Lady Michelle Obama said the life story of Hedieh "Roshan" Ghaffarian, who was born in Tehran but raised in California, is proof that the American Dream lives on.
After immigrating with her family as a child following the 1979 Iranian revolution, Ghaffarian started selling flowers from her parents' home and went on to become a celebrated professional with her work featured in The Knot, Ceremony, Today's Bride, and other publications.
Ghaffarian's first major assignment will be decorating the White House for next week's lavish state dinner for China's leader. She will join the White House full time in mid-October.