FLOTUS At SXSW: Talks 'Let Girls Learn' & Running For President
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AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — In Austin today, First Lady Michelle Obama used her platform at the South by Southwest Music Festival to help 62-million adolescent girls around the world.
The First Lady was the featured keynote speaker kicking off the music portion of SXSW. She used most of her panel discussion time to promote the Let Girls Learn Initiative. "We know from the statistics that girl's who are educated they raise healthier kids and have lower HIV rates… it can boost an entire country's GDP," she said.
The goal of the Let Girls Learn Initiative is to expand access to education for adolescent girls all over the world. The First Lady previously said, "The barriers to girl's education isn't just resources, it's also about attitudes and beliefs. The belief that girls simply aren't worthy of an education."
Michelle Obama also told those attending the conference that she'll most miss interacting with people as First Lady — and says she has no presidential aspirations.
Some of the loudest applause for the First Lady came when panel moderator Queen Latifah asked her about possibly running for President. "No, nope, not gonna do it," the First Lady said shaking her head explaining, "Here's one of the reasons why – because I've got these two young people at home."
Just before attending the conference Mrs. Obama commissioned the female empowerment track "This Is For My Girls," which features Missy Elliott, Janelle Monáe, Zendaya, Chloe & Halle, JadaGrace, Kelly Rowland, Kelly Clarkson, and Lea Michele. The charity single, a part of the #62MillionGirls campaign, is available on iTunes.
During a comical moment, Obama broke into song when reflecting on seven years in the White House. She said "time is almost up" before softly singing some of the Boyz II Men hit "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday."
The SXSW panel also included Grammy award winner Missy Elliott, Oscar-nominated songwriter Diane Warren and Sophia Bush.
President Barack Obama also spoke at the festival and made a stop in Dallas last week. At SXSW he gave a keynote speech on the uses of technology in government.
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