In addition to showing off her singing chops to the crowd at SXSW with a 90s Boyz II Men song, First Lady Michelle Obama also used the music forum to continue her advocacy for girls' education. The initiative called “Let Girls Learn” is led by the U.S. government and aims to help the public with awareness and tools to access quality education for girls.
The First Lady even launched an all-female girl power anthem to lead on the charge. “This is For My Girls” is belted out by popular music artists like Zendaya, Kelly Clarkson, Missy Elliott, Lea Michelle, Jadagrace, Chloe and Halle, Janelle Monáe and Kelly Rowland.
Legendary hit making song-writer Diane Warren wrote the song that is currently available for purchase on iTunes, and it's clear that the “Til It Happens To You” co-writer held back no punches when she penned this tune:
"This is for my girls. All around the world. Stand up. Hold your head up. Don't take no s**t from nobody," the performers sing during part of the song. "This is for my girls. Stand up and be heard."
Described as a global “call to action,” the song came together very quickly, according to Academy Award winner Warren, with much support from the artists as well as their labels and the AOL Makers program which produced it, who all waived their royalty fees so that all proceeds from the sales of the digital download of the song will go towards the initiative.
"It happened so fast – literally Kelly Clarkson was singing her part in Nashville while we were almost mastering it. So we dropped her vocals in. It was that crazy," said Warren.
Everyone who downloads the song can also help with women's education. All proceeds from the song on iTunes will go to the Let Girls Learn Fund of the Peace Corps. This will allow them to provide training to volunteers, become agents of change for girls and bring education to their communities.
Last year, Obama launched her initiative to educate #62milliongirls around the world who do not have access to education. Let Girls Learn is the next step to encourage people from everywhere to continue giving their support in ensuring that girls get into schools and stay there.
