Outgoing First Lady Michelle Obama shared her final address to the American public on Friday, Jan. 6, with just a few weeks left in the White House. President Barack Obama's better half addressed young Americans in her message and stressed the importance of having a good education.
Speaking at the White House in an event to honor school counselors, Obama said that being a first lady has been a great honor, Time reports. In her 20-minute speech, she tried to hold back her emotions in addressing her audience.
She reminded the young ones, America's future, that they have to be "focused, determined and hopeful." "Empower yourselves with a good education, then get out there and use that education to build a country worthy of your boundless promise," Obama said, Newsweek quoted.
The first lady said that if one has a good education, it can help with critical thinking and expression. This then translates to grabbing good opportunities that will enable an American youth to become an efficient and positive contributor in the community.
A photo posted by First Lady Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on Jan 6, 2017 at 7:21pm PST
Obama has made the youth and education her advocacy as America's first lady and has created several programs for this sector not just for the United States but the rest of the world. Most recent of these programs is the Let Girls Learn (LGL) initiative, which was launched in 2015 and has helped underprivileged girls around the world continue their education.
"I knew I wanted to make it my mission to help them get the education they deserve," Obama said during the LGL launch, Marie Claire reports. To date, 11 countries are actively part of this program but the movement is working on adding more even as Obama is set to leave the White House.
Obama also acknowledged the work of school counselors in shaping America's youth and their future. She dubbed them as heroes as they have helped many children in their "darkest moments," as well as pushed kids to believe in themselves, regardless of their race, color, religious belief or culture.
The first lady also reminded families that money is not a hindrance to good education and success if they believe in the value of hard work. Watch part of her talk in the video below.
