Wednesday morning saw hundreds of SXSW attendees pour into Ballroom D of the Austin Convention Centre to be present for First Lady Michelle Obama‘s special keynote address. Focusing on the Let Girls Learn initiative, the First Lady was joined by Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, Sophia Bush and Diane Warren for the session, the latter three also involved in the making of the newly released single, “This is For My Girls”.
The charity single, now available for purchase on iTunes, was released the same morning as the SXSW session and features likes of Zendaya, Janelle Monae, Kelly Clarkson and young duo Chloe x Halle, who also performed three songs ahead of the main address in Austin. Listen to the song below!
https://youtu.be/LQa5HkO1yuk
While President Barack Obama‘s SXSW appearance saw him address the SXSW Interactive audience and call for tech ideas and ambition from entrepreneurs and creatives in the field to help American industry and the battle against issues such as climate change, First Lady Michelle’s appearance at SXSW Music saw her advocate for the education of approximately 62 million girls out the world who face life-long disadvantage without it – instead of learning and having the opportunity to achieve the levels of empowerment other young women have around the world, these girls face early marriage, trafficking and being forced into work from a young age.
“People think that you’ve got to be the President of the United States, but change happens from the ground.” Obama asserted. “It happens from the bottom up. Young people find their voices every single day.”
Wednesday’s SXSW keynote, moderated by Queen Latifah, saw the ladies open up about their personal experiences growing up, the disadvantages they’d faced as young women and how passionate they are about the cause they’re speaking up for today.
“When you have a seat at the table and you have access to power,” the First Lady commented. “The question you can ask yourselves is, “Is there diversity around the table? Are there voices and opinions that don’t sound like yours?”
To find out more about the 62 Million Girls movement and indeed, the Obamas’ Let Girls Learn initiative, head to the official website.
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