Tag Archives: FLOTUS Michelle Obama

Five Times Michelle Obama Exemplified Black Girl Magic

It’s not as if we need a reason to celebrate FLOTUS Michelle Obama (fyi, she’s the only first lady I acknowledge) because, I mean, she’s Michelle.Obama.

She’s the cinnamon queen we’ve been waiting to bow down to foreva. No offense Bey.

Her “when they go low, we go high” mantra was way more effective than that make America great ish.

Aaanndd it was THE perfect cautionary sign for people (like me) heading towards petty town. It was used more like a speed bump, really.

Anyway, what to get the woman that has everything. The hell if I know that’s Barack’s problem. What I’m going to give you is what we’ve been craving for months: more Michelle.

To celebrate Michelle Obama’s 54th birthday we’re highlighting her five most lit moments as first lady.

Number 1 is Michelle’s truth bombs. This First Lady always kept it đź’Ż Especially about our nation’s history. No fake news here.

Number 2 is Michelle’s emphasis on education. Like a cool aunt you don’t mind listening to on career day, Michelle would traverse across the country to the most millennial-heavy events to press the point of getting a higher education.

Number 3 is her unconventionality. What other first lady has spit a verse about healthy eating? I’ll wait.

Number four is helping Black women, or women in general, realize their self worth and how to make themselves a priority.

Number five is Michelle’s give back game. It’s epic. There wasn’t a school she didn’t visit or a soup kitchen line she didn’t serve a meal.

Happy Birthday, Michelle. Our wish is for you to continue to be great.

Michelle Obama took to Broadway to promote “Let Girls Learn,” and it’s so empowering

Michelle Obama Helps Broadway Shine A Light On Girls' Global Education

(Photo by Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)

Our incredible First Lady Michelle Obama has been a powerful advocate for educating women and girls for all of her years in the White House, and we are SO behind that message. Michelle started the initiative called “Let Girls Learn,” which is an organization that tackles many of the issues that prevent adolescent girls around the world from getting an education. Yesterday, Michelle hosted an event on Broadway to raise awareness for this cause that is so close to her heart.

 

The event was held in the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in New York City, with hilarious comedian Stephen Colbert as the emcee. Michelle spoke in front of a theater full of the spouses of global heads of state who are in town for the U.N. General Assembly, and implored them to make this an issue.Billboard reported some of Michelle’s impassioned speech.

“I want to be clear that as First Lady of the United States I have no budget of my own for programs, I have no authority to make or pass laws, and I cannot issue any kind of executive orders. When people hear the stories of girls who aren’t in school they want to help. And as spouses of world leaders, so many of us here in this room have platforms to tell these stories and bring people together to take action for these girls.”

Michelle called on her fellow influential women to use their power to ensure that girls are given the opportunity to get an education.

 

Performers came from Wicked, The Color Purple, Beautiful: The Carole King Musicaland Waitress. These performers included Cynthia Erivo, who recently won a Tony for her incredible performance in The Color Purple. Billboard also quoted her thoughts on the historic day.

“The thing about me that is most important is that I’m a young Broadway actress, but I’m also female. So I have a vested interested in other young women learning and being confident in themselves.”

The keynote speakers were three young women who spoke from their own experiences of overcoming obstacles to get an education.

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Meet 17 year old, Halima of Malwai. At the age of 15, Halima was forced to leave her education behind and marry a man twice her age. Weeks into marriage, Halima told her husband that the Mother Group, a community group of women that supports girls and fight for their right to go to school, would come looking for her once they learned that she had been married off. And they did. They found Halima and helped her break free of her marriage and return to her an education. Now, Halima works with @USAID's ASPIRE program and serves as a role model in her class as she is still able to achieve top grades despite missing months of school. Yesterday, Halima courageously shared her story on the stage of New York's historic Jacobs B. Bernard Theater as part of the First Lady's "Broadway Shines A Light on Girls' Education" at the 71st United Nations General Assembly. #LetGirlsLearn

A post shared by Michelle Obama (archived) (@michelleobama44) on

 

Noor Abu Ghazaleh of Jordan, Summyka Qadir of Pakistan, and Halima Robert of Malawi spoke about the kinds of extreme obstacles in their path to an education such as child marriage, poverty and an indifference to women’s education. But despite all of these hardships, these young women were able to achieve their goals of learning and growth. The post above details the story of Halima of Malawi.

“At the age of 15, Halima was forced to leave her education behind and marry a man twice her age. Weeks into marriage, Halima told her husband that the Mother Group, a community group of women that supports girls and fight for their right to go to school, would come looking for her once they learned that she had been married off. And they did. They found Halima and helped her break free of her marriage and return to her an education. Now, Halima works with @USAID’s ASPIRE program and serves as a role model in her class as she is still able to achieve top grades despite missing months of school.”

That is SUCH an inspiring story, and we are so glad to see such a powerful collection of women coming together to make sure all young girls like Halima have access to education. According to the First Lady, 62 million girls around the world aren’t in school, and we are very supportive of all of Michelle Obama’s efforts to change that.

 

To find out how you can help or contribute, check out the Let Girls Learn website, which details ways that we can get involved.

The post Michelle Obama took to Broadway to promote “Let Girls Learn,” and it’s so empowering appeared first on HelloGiggles.

Feel Good Friday Roundup

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Beyonce’s Lemonade album drop wasn’t the only good news this week. Sorry Beyhive. There was a lot of reasons to slap on that Kool-Aide smile, starting with FLOTUS Michelle Obama’s fencing lesson from Olympian Ibtihaj Muhammad in Times Square Wednesday. To kick-off coverage of the Olympics this summer and promote her Let’s Move Campaign!

Gotta love a woman that kills two birds with one stone.

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Knicks baller Carmelo Anthony and wife LaLa paid a visit to their No. 1 fan, Anthony Skipper at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Florida earlier this week. Melo and La have been visiting Anthony, who suffers from a brain disorder, frequently since learning he’s a big Knicks fan. So they couldn’t miss being by his side during one of his major surgeries.

Awww who says you shouldn’t meet your heroes.

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Black-ish star Marcus Scribner was picked to be the first ever Youth Advocate Ambassador for The Sandals Foundation. Marcus visited Jamaica recently where he lent a hand for Earth Day.

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Finally, my favorite feel good story of the week is about perseverance and a piano. Ohio teen Darrius Simmons was born with just four fingers, but it didn’t stop him from teaching himself how to play the piano. At 10.

Recently he began posting videos of him tickling the ivories and got noticed by pianist Yiruma, who was scheduled to play Carnegie Hall on April 22nd. He invited Darrius to join him, reports NBC New York. Not only did 15-year-old Darrius accompany Yiruma he brought Carnegie Hall to their feet.

Check the video below for a small sampling of Darrius’ piano skills.

Hope all this goodness is contagious.

 

 

Women Crush Wednesday | FLOTUS’ Empowering Message

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FLOTUS Michelle Obama promoted her girls education initiative–Girl Rising–at SXSW today. And brought her girl squad to join in on a panel discussion about the #62milliongirls around the globe without an education.

Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, Sophia Bush and songwriter Diane Warren chopped it up with Mrs Obama  at the music fest–over the importance of using their names for this worthy cause. As well as how music can have an influence on knocking down hurdles related to girls education.

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Missy Elliott, Zendaya, Kelly Clarkson, Kelly Rowland, Janelle Monae, Lea Michelle and Chloe and Halle lent their voices to “This is for my girls” track. Check out the uptempo track below.

 

“This is for my girls” track is featured on iTunes and iHeartradio. All download funds will go towards the Girl Rising charity, which works with local community to take action in getting girls educated. Whether that includes having a bake sale to raise funds for the charity or convincing a teacher to make use of the initiative’s teaching plan. All roads lead to young women preparing themselves for the future. A bright one, if Mrs. O has anything to do with it.

Oh, for the haters thinking FLOTUS will slow down once she lives D.C. Here’s her take.

“I don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. You think your 40s are good? 50s are phenomenal! And I plan to go into my 60s blazing.”

Don’t believe her? Just watch.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEEL GOOD FRIDAY | Michelle Obama, Wale Urge Kids to ‘Beat the Odds’

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Just when you think FLOTUS can’t get any cooler, she ups her fab factor. In addition to giving the Oscar selfie some major competition (take that Internet!) Michelle Obama created a summit to help kids better transition into college.

The  “Beating the Odds” summit invited 130 soon-to-be college frosh to the White House. All from different walks of life, but one common denominator is they all struggled to make it into college, which means they’ll likely have more difficulty staying.

Cue Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher Initiative that gives first gen college students–like herself and POTUS–the support and tools they need to make it through all four years.

To give her a hand, Entertainment network’s Terrence J, Grammy-nominated rapper Wale shared his story of goofing off in college in hopes of getting into the NFL. The Chicago Sun Times reports Wale eventually ended up on academic probation, but college gave him a good foundation to be “self-made.”

Before Wale hopped on the stage to perform, POTUS Barack Obama introduced him and made this confession.

My rapping skills are terrible. That’s one thing I can’t do is rap. I like rap but I cannot rap.

But he had to do something right to pull Michelle, he added.

I got enough of a rap that I got Michelle to marry me.

Bloop. Yes, you did Mr. Prez.

Good luck, class of 2020 (God, I’m old)

IfYouBlinked Women Crush|Dear Graduates…


It’s that time of year again, guys. Our compilation of the four best commencement speeches of 2015. But (plot twist!!) it’s a no boys allowed  theme this year because a) women rule the world and b) it’s women crush wednesday. Sorry, fellas. Not to worry the advice these boss ladies provide is not gender specific.

Award-winning writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Wellesley College

“We can not always bend the world into the shapes we want but we can try, we can make a concerted and real and true effort. And you are privileged that, because of your education here, you have already been given many of the tools that you will need to try. Always just try. Because you never know.” 

SNL’s Maya Rudolph, Tulane University

“If I must give any of you advice it would be say yes. Say yes, and…and create your own destiny.”

FLOTUS, Michelle Obama, Tuskegee University

“I want you all to stay true to the most real, most sincere, most authentic parts of yourselves. I want you to ask those basic questions: who do you want to be? What inspires you? How do you want to give back? And then I want you to take a deep breath and trust yourselves to chart your own course and make your own mark on the world.”

GMA’s Robin Roberts, Emerson University

“Don’t worry about the fear factor. Everybody in here has felt it and will feel it. It is something that you have to realize that if you wait for it to pass you’re going to be sitting on the sidelines for a very long time.” 

Tell ’em girls. No wonder their our #wcw. Congrats to all the 2015 graduates. Be bold and carry on.

PRETTY (FIT) GIRLS ROCK: Keri Hilson Motivates Girls to Stay Active

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Ms. Keri, baby, Hilson made a stop at a YMCA in Atlanta earlier this week to chat with teen girls about the importance of staying fit. The “Pretty Girls Rock” singer encouraged them to join a sports team because being dirty and sweaty isn’t just for boys.

All the more reason  the R&B diva was the keynote speaker at the Pretty Girls Sweat movement; the brainchild of Teen Diaries Foundation that aims to guide young girls nationwide to maintain healthy lifestyles. After riling up the group of 200 girls, Keri and teen pop group the OMG Girlz, put the young’uns to work sweating out their relaxers  by playing basketball, double dutch and kicking those heels up with jumping jacks.

Not only did the teens walk away with exercise endorphins, but also some fitness swag. All well deserved.

The event marks the 3rd anniversary of the Pretty Girls Sweat program developed to combat the country’s childhood obesity epidemic.  To join the movement or donate click HERE.

FLOTUS Michelle is somewhere in the White House doing this:

FLOTUS Michelle Obama, Megan Good &amp More Celebs Participate in Read Across America Day

First Lady Michelle Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan (R) Image Courtesy: ed.gov

First Lady Michelle Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan (R)
Image Courtesy: ed.gov

FLOTUS Michelle Obama kicked off Reading Across America day by…how else?…reading to the kiddies at the Library of Congress on Sunday. It was also Dr. Seuss’s birthday, so she appropriately read “The Cat in the Hat,” and spoke about the importance of reading to young ‘uns.

On Dr. Seuss’s birthday I think it’s fitting that we celebrate the significance of reading. As parents it’s important that we continue to highlight its benefits. Reading not only brings our families together but it prepares our children for a lifetime of learning.

Cat and Hat, Thing 1, Thing 2 raise your right hand and solemnly swear... Image Courtesy: huffpost.com

Cat and Hat, Thing 1, Thing 2 raise your right hand and solemnly swear…
Image Courtesy: huffpost.com

They even marked the event by having the kids take a Dr. Seuss-themed oath administered by Cat in the Hat, Thing 1 and Thing 2 saying, “I promise to read each day and each night. I know it’s the key to growing up right.”

Cue the awwww’s, and the urge to grab a book and head to the nearest classroom. That’s just what actress Meagan Good did. Donning stripped hats Meagan and her sister, Lamiya dashed over to Compton to join the newly inaugurated mayor, Aja Brown, to read Dr. Seuss classics. And they weren’t alone.

Meagan Good reading to the children. Image Credit: IG

Meagan Good reading to the children.
Image Credit: IG

“Everybody Hates Chris” star Imani Hakim was there for the children as well as her reading partner Juwan Godwin, model and actor.

Imani Hakim and Juwan...everyone looks good in that stripped hat. Image Courtesy: IG

Imani Hakim and Juwan…everyone looks good in that stripped hat.
Image Courtesy: IG

Do you remember Flex Alexander? R&B singer Shaniece’s husband. The actor with the reach for the sky locks. Well, he’s come out of hiding and showed kids the importance of literacy. Wonder if he still has the locks…nah.

Flex Alexander engaging kiddies during story time. Image Courtesy: IG

Flex Alexander engaging kiddies during story time.
Image Courtesy: IG

And finally the never aging beauties “Teen Wolf’s” Bianca Lawson and “Girlfriends” Anne-Marie Johnson share reading duties in the video below. Check it out.

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