Michelle Obama is calling attention to the millions of girls around the world who aren't in school by making pro-education appearances in Liberia, Morocco, and Spain. Through her Let Girls Learn program [1], the first lady kicked off her tour on Monday alongside daughters Sasha and Malia and her mother, Marian Robinson.
Come along with the First Lady on her #LetGirlsLearn [2] trip to Africa & Spain. 👻 Add 'MichelleObama' on @Snapchat [3]. pic.twitter.com/dhGYXlZLwk [4]
— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) June 27, 2016 [5]
In Libya on Monday, FLOTUS met with girls and female leaders [6] and spoke about the importance of education in the West African country where many drop out because of financial hardship. She also announced that USAID would be donating $27 million in funding to support Let Girls Learn [7] and the Peace Corps would expand its participation in Let Girls Learn Liberia with more employees and volunteers.
Meet Hawa and Bendu from Liberia. #62MillionGirls [8] just like them are not in school today. #LetGirlsLearn [9]https://t.co/Pg2nsqrwWc [10]
— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) June 27, 2016 [11]
Tuesday she traveled to Morocco [12], where she joined actresses Meryl Streep and Freida Pinto for a session with women in Marrakesh to address challenges girls face in getting an education. Morocco will be getting a $100 million aid package to promote girls' education in the country where half of females over 15 don't know how to read.
Day 3: See what the First Lady was up to in Marrakech, Morocco → https://t.co/gz2Uh0bgPt [13] #LetGirlsLearn [14] pic.twitter.com/DQhAZYr9wI [15]
— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) June 29, 2016 [16]
In Spain, she's expected to deliver an address on the same topic. What makes the trip so significant is that it not only addresses such an incredibly important cause, but it also proves how powerful it can be when women rather than men in leadership use their influence [17] for a greater good. "This trip will allow the first lady to reach directly to publics of three important US partners and talk about an issue that is important to all of us: the education of girls and the empowerment of women and girls more broadly," said her Chief of Staff Tina Tchen on a press call [18].
Ahead, see photos of her tour so far (including pictures from her newly created Snapchat account [19]) and follow along with her trip diary on Hello Giggles [20].