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First Lady Holds Digital Conversation with YES Alumnae

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Tuesday marked the 4th International Day of the Girl. In celebration of this day, Michelle Obama took the chance to have a digital conversation with three YES alumni in Tanzania. Read the Tanzanian Embassy's coverage here.

The International Day of the Girl was created by the United Nations in 2012 as a way to educate on the rights of girls worldwide and celebrate all that they can accomplish when those rights aren't infringed on.

For the alumnae in Tanzania that the first lady spoke with, the power of her words on the International Day of the Girl made a life-changing impression. One of the girls, Whitney, who had the privilege to hear from Michelle Obama said,

"After yesterday, I saw the world with different color, with a different rush of energy going through me. One of the things she said which inspired me the most was, 'Girls, it's O.K. to be aggressive, a little loud and confident. Even though society will judge you for that, what you have to do is combust every negative thought they have of you by proving them wrong. Not with words, but with actions.'"

In America, women are usually told that it's normal to pursue an education. It's normal to strive for more. But for the countries that many of our students come from, women don't have the same privilege. To hear these words of encouragement from a political figure like first lady Michelle Obama, it reaffirms values that might not be widely held in their home countries.

Another student, Ndeenga was equally moved by Michelle Obama's words,

"Even if girls in most societies are taken only as housekeepers, and told that they can't do worth things, it is our duty to prove them wrong."

Meanwhile, groups of YES students were meeting all over the world to celebrate the girl. Our students in Nigeria listened to speakers on the topic. Students in Kaduna State attended question and answer questions about feminine health. Students in Benue State heard from women in powerful roles on issues like education. Almost everywhere the YES program extends was touched by the International Day of the Girl. 


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