WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina — In the United States and abroad, First Lady Michelle Obama has impacted millions of girls worldwide.
In 2015, the First Lady launched her campaign, #62MillionGirls which escalated to her organization, Let Girls Learn.
Let Girls Learn addresses the variety of challenges young girls face when pursuing their education.
In overcoming these challenges, girls are provided more opportunities and their surrounding communities are taught how to further these programs. First Lady strongly believes in this organization.
People Magazine quoted First Lady Michelle Obama in June 2016, “Those 62 million girls who are not being educated about the world impact my life in Washington, D.C. Because if we aren’t empowering and providing the skills and the resources to half of our population, then we’re not realizing our full potential as a society, as mankind.”
In order to help these girls, First Lady Michelle Obama has mobilized The U.S. Agency for International Development, The Peace Corps, The Department of State and The Millennium Challenge Corporation.
The U.S. Agency for International Development provides aid to countries in crisis too, as the Let Girls Learn website states, “help rebuild education systems, and create alternative learning programs.”
In completing these tasks, girls receive safer and better education.
Similarly, The Department of State implements new education programs but also uses diplomacy to improve educational opportunities.
The Peace Corps coincides with The Department of State’s mission as it trains thousands of volunteers to help local communities and leaders to provide education.
These institutions are also supported by the Millennium Challenge Corporation which, “invests in education projects that support economic growth by giving students the foundational knowledge and skills they need to get jobs and increase their livelihoods.”
Through each governmental agency, girls worldwide have been given the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Since the campaign’s commencement, there has been an enormous success. In just this past year, there have been donations and commitments worldwide to the campaign.
The Girls’ Education Forum in London announced a $25 million donation to be used for programs helping teachers in Afghanistan.
The World Bank announced a $2.5 billion commitment over five years for girls’ education programs worldwide.
Other organizations such as CARE, American Airlines and AOL also committed to helping First Lady with her efforts.
With extensive support, Let Girls Learn has extended its 35 country program to countries such as Laos, Nepal, Liberia and Morocco.
Beyond her Let Girls Learn and #62MillionGirls campaigns, the First Lady is also a member of the Girl Rising organization.
Girl Rising, on their website, describes itself as using, “the power of storytelling to share the simple truth that educating girls can transform societies.” The organization uses film and videos to bring awareness to different issues girls face worldwide.
Like Let Girls Learn, Girl Rising works to remove educational barriers in order to teach girls to as the website says, “stand up for their rights, marry and have children later, education their own children, and their families and communities thrive.”
As a renowned world leader, First Lady Michelle Obama has impacted thousands of girls worldwide due to her campaigns. Although the country will be sad to see her leave the white house, it is hopeful that she will continue to serve not only as a role model but a true world hero.
– Kristen Guyler
Photo: Flickr