As we are all aware, First Lady Michelle Obama is a consistent advocate for health. This is what makes her so inspiring. She works on healthy lifestyle programs to educate girls around the world. Last year, she launched her initiative to educate 62 million girls around the world that don’t have the same access that we do to education. This year, she continued her advocacy for girls’ education in the music forum.
The initiative, ‘Let Girls Learn,’ is led by the U.S. government and aims to help the public with awareness and provide tools to access quality education for girls. This is the next step to encourage people around the world to continue to support girls to get the education they deserve.
Obama used the music industry to her advantage by launching an all-female power anthem called “This is For My Girls.” Sung by popular artists like Zendaya, Kelly Clarkson, Missy Elliott, Lea Michelle, Jadagrace, Chloe and Halle, Janelle Monáe and Kelly Rowland, this song is meant to inspire, encourage and support young girls. Not only is Obama advocating for girls’ education, she’s using the voices of individuals who are loved and admired to expand the exposure of this initiative.
Diane Warren, the legendary songwriter, wrote the song and did not hold back.
"This is for my girls. All around the world. Stand up. Hold your head up. Don't take no s**t from nobody," the performers sing during part of the song. "This is for my girls. Stand up and be heard."
It’s a wake-up call for people to focus their support on impressionable, young individuals. Being the First Lady itself is just another reminder of what we can accomplish as women. We are all capable of achieving unimaginable heights with the right amount of support on our side, and that is what this initiative presents.
It doesn’t stop there, all the proceeds from the sales of the iTunes downloads will go directly towards the initiative, "Let Girls Learn Fund" of the Peace Corps. This funding will provide training to volunteers, become a chance to change the lack of education for women and bring it to girls and their communities.
Michelle Obama never seems to stifle her voice for what she believes in and we should be thankful for that. Her strong presence in society has only benefited everyone. As inspiring as she is, she is just another individual with dreams and goals which should remind us that we can help too. We are capable of making a change.