First Lady Michelle Obama and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey are here to make a powerful, positive difference in the lives of young girls and women.
The ladies hosted a panel discussion at the White House Summit to talk about women empowerment and gender equality.
Beginning with the topic of self-value and self worth, Mrs. Obama spoke on the importance of women getting to know themselves.
“Our first job in life, as women, is to get to know ourselves,” she said. “I think a lot of times we don’t do that. We spend our time pleasing, satisfying, looking out into the world to define who we are. Listening to the messages, the images, the limited definitions that people have of who we are. And that’s true for women of color. There’s a limited box that we are put in and if we live by that limited definition we miss out on a lot of who we are. But it takes taking the time of knowing who you are to be able to deal with the onslaught of negative messages that you’re bound to get.”
During the discussion, Oprah recalls receiving a message from Maya Angelou that spoke volumes to her. “Baby you need to know, that you alone, are enough.” Oprah has carried this with her for years, as these words by Angelou has helped her flourish into who she is today.
Mrs. Obama also touched on the importance of having a support system, involved parents, and women choosing their company wisely.
“I always tell young girls, surround yourself with goodness,” said FLOTUS. “I learned early on how to get the haters out of my life. You’ve got to just sort of surround yourself with people who uplift you, who hold you up.”
Now that’s squad goals!
They do say you are the company you keep. As young girls begin to know themselves, growing into mature young ladies, friends may come and go, and people may come in and out of your life, but the real ones will always be there to lift you up, and you’ll learn who those people are along the way.
Watch the discussion unfold below. Ladies, take notes on a classy way to silence your haters.
Barack Obama dropped by the event with a message for the fellas. He’s teaching a thing or two on how to be a better man, and how the First Lady is paving the way for future female leaders.
“This is what a feminist looks like.” —@POTUS: https://t.co/VKhkqUSCTO #StateOfWomen https://t.co/n6oq0r4fHU
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 15, 2016
The innovative duos are looking forward to creating a path for the future and the next generation of women, informing them on how to be the best person they can be on a daily basis.