I'll admit it. When Beyoncé introduced First Lady Michelle Obama on stage Saturday at the 2015 Global Citizen Festival, I freaked out. It was one of those once in a lifetime, so much kickass female power I'm going to explode, YOU GO GIRL, #flawless, moments.
Beyoncé had just performed a show-stopping set of songs full of girl pride. She aptly closed with "Who Run The World (Girls)" and the clip from her "***Flawless" track that defines what it means to be a feminist. I was already bursting with pride, excitement, and obsession when this happened:
I mean, c'mon! Beyoncé literally skips in excitement over to the First Lady and envelops her in a heartfelt hug. And is it just me or does Beyoncé say "beautiful" to her? I basically fainted. I still get chills rewatching it. As I have several times.
On stage, US First Lady Michelle Obama spoke about girls' education and her new campaign #62MillionGirls, which you can read all about here. The campaign's name is in honor of the 62 million girls who are unable to attend school each year, and asks people to post a selfie with a sentence describing what they learned in school. It has already gotten a lot of hype. Reading what people say they learned in school, plain and simple, is pretty powerful, and everyone from celebrities to students to politicians have been spreading the word. Check out tweets from Mindy Kaling, the US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power and many others:
In school, I learned how to speak up for myself. #62MillionGirls don't have that chance. http://t.co/xzBLsIl16r –mo pic.twitter.com/lVVkv7vcDD
— The First Lady (@FLOTUS) September 26, 2015
In school I learned to love Sherlock Holmes stories. #62MillionGirls don’t have that chance. http://t.co/bOIkJjTVG1pic.twitter.com/byLKuhdjnp
— Coldplay (@coldplay) September 28, 2015
I was all smiles because I got to go to school and be myself. #62MillionGirls don't have that chance. Let's end that. pic.twitter.com/GyVi7XPoWZ
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) September 27, 2015
In school I learned to apply cultural&historical context.#62MillionGirls dont have that chance http://t.co/aI43hQ38xspic.twitter.com/YV9NsCoxUP
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) September 27, 2015
In school I learned information unlocks opportunity #62MillionGirls don’t have that chance. http://t.co/Kr48eGq6Yapic.twitter.com/8gzn2RWo2W
— Usher Raymond IV (@Usher) September 27, 2015
In school I learned that discipline was the key to achieving my dreams. #62MillionGirls don't have that chance. http://t.co/wO5pPN8qFj
— Michael B Jordan (@michaelb4jordan) September 28, 2015
In school I learned to challenge conventional wisdom. #62MillionGirls don't have that chance. http://t.co/IywOK3q2yVpic.twitter.com/hVwf4Z4ORv
— Tom Perez (@LaborSec) September 27, 2015
In school, I learned how to use code & design to solve problems. #62MillionGirls don’t have that chance. pic.twitter.com/gbBNeYMwS6
— Yasmine Evjen (@YasmineEvjen) September 27, 2015
In school I learned the skills to improve my situation. #62MillionGirls are denied that. http://t.co/dzjc3NZZqhpic.twitter.com/waAmCIJ26a
— Lauren Fleshman (@laurenfleshman) September 27, 2015
In school, I learned the importance of mentors who inspire others to follow their dreams. #62milliongirlspic.twitter.com/53j87WEWNL
— Rai Brown (@radiantrai80) September 27, 2015
In school I learned to cherish education, what it means for success in life #62MillionGirls don't have that chance JG pic.twitter.com/oqetE861ba
— Julia Gillard (@JuliaGillard) September 26, 2015
In school I learned individuals must make the change they seek. #62MillionGirls shld have chance to draw own lessons pic.twitter.com/7l1zmzJBpr
— Samantha Power (@AmbassadorPower) September 26, 2015
I went to school and learned that it was cool to be smart; #62milliongirls don't get that chance pic.twitter.com/2Vb4Ae9Qh9
— Kim Rodriguez (@kristinaklm) September 27, 2015
In school I learned to pretend I read Moby Dick. #62milliongirls don't have that chance. http://t.co/gsZTylh3rypic.twitter.com/IcCOS1CDWY
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) September 26, 2015
"In school, I learned to imagine what was possible for a woman."–Drew Faust #62MillionGirls should have that chance pic.twitter.com/3q913XEtcW
— Harvard University (@Harvard) September 28, 2015
Me in India teaching young girls to read. #62MillionGirls don’t have that chance. http://t.co/OyDOlvIb4v. pic.twitter.com/27jOQKiWEX
— Hilary Swank (@HilarySwank) September 28, 2015
In school I learned to follow my own path. #62MillionGirls don’t have that chance. http://t.co/Hkagsc45TVpic.twitter.com/oMtpXrSZgX
— Misty Copeland (@mistyonpointe) September 27, 2015
I'm grateful for the teachers who helped spark my sense of curiosity. The #62MillionGirls who aren't in school should have that same chance.
— President Obama (@POTUS) September 26, 2015
From self-confidence to learning how to think critically to finding our favorite books (or not in Colbert's case), school is fundamental in shaping who we are. Everyone deserves this opportunity of self-discovery. Everyone deserves a quality education.
So take to Twitter and join the cause! Share how important education has been for you!