Michelle Obama Launches $200M Academic Education Program For Young Girls

First lady Michelle Obama made a trip to London on Tuesday. She announced both a new partnership between the U.S. and the UK, and that she would help improve the academic education of young girls around the globe.

The girls at the east London’s Mulberry School for Girls held both American and British flags to greet the first lady. Obama was there to promote her “Let Girls Learn” education initiative that will help improve the academic education of young girls. Obama spoke to the London students, who come from working-class backgrounds. About 70 percent of the students are on the free lunch program.

“The world needs more girls like you growing up to lead our parliaments and our board rooms and our courtrooms and our universities. We need you.”

During her inspiring speech, Obama said she already saw the young girls in the room as a source of inspiration for herself and for others. She stressed the importance of academic education, and how it helps young girls reach their goals and find their potential. Students from varying universities use thepensters.com to take advantage of their custom writing services. These academic services cover all the relevant topics and write impressive bottom lines.

“I see a roomful of business leaders and surgeons and barristers. I see women who are going to win elections, and science competitions, and arts awards. I see leaders who will inspire folks not just here in Tower Hamlets, but all across the country and all around the world.”

Obama continues to speak passionately about the importance of academic education for young girls.

“[I] have seen it again and again and again that what our parents told us really is true — that if we get our education, we can do anything. We can lift up ourselves to heights we could never imagine. We can pay forward all of the love and support that our families have poured into us.”

Thanks to Michelle Obama, both countries are launching “a nearly $200 million partnership to continue their collective support for adolescent girls’ education,” according to a press release from President Obama’s office. What else will Obama’s new education initiative do? It will help young girls raise more educated families.

The press released stated that when “when a girl receives a quality education, she is more likely to earn a decent living, raise a healthy, educated family and improve the quality of life for herself, her family and her community.”

It also said that “girls’ attendance in secondary school is also correlated with later marriage, later childbearing, lower maternal and infant mortality rates, lower birth rates, lower rates of HIV/AIDs and significantly higher earning power.”

Most of the funds raised will be donated “to countries affected by conflict and crisis.” The Democratic Republic of the Congo will receive $180 million over the next five years that will help benefit “more than 755,000 girls aged 10 to 18,” according to the press release.

Academic education has always been an important issue for Michelle Obama. Since 2010, she worked hard to fight childhood obesity by launching her “Let’s Move” campaign. She also helped choose the food plate that later replaced the food pyramid. Then, in 2014, she launched the “Reach Higher” initiative, which helps young people from struggling backgrounds to finish high school and enter college or professional training programs. Michelle Obama has also said that she will spend the remainder of her time as first lady to fight for academic education.

Before visiting the London school, Obama had tea with Prince Harry at Kensington Palace. Her daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama, were also there in attendance. Michelle Obama will also meet with British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha later this week.

[Image: ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images]