The future of our world is only as bright as our girls
Today, more than 98 million adolescent girls around the world are not in school. That’s a lot of empty desks—and a lot of dreams that are being cut short.
When girls get the opportunities they deserve, amazing things start to happen; poverty goes down, economies grow, families get stronger, and babies are born healthier. And the world, by all accounts, gets better.
Join the Girls Opportunity Alliance to take action to help adolescent girls and the grassroots leaders working to educate them.
And tune in below to watch a new special featuring YouTube creators Liza Koshy, Prajakta Koli, and Thembe Mahlaba as they visit Girls Opportunity Alliance projects around the world.
Are you a grassroots leader supporting adolescent girls’ education?
News & Updates
Mrs. Obama shares a message on International Women's Day
“I want every girl on this planet to have the same opportunities that I’ve had to pursue their education and their dreams. But right now, more than 98 million adolescent girls around the world are not in school. That’s why the Obama Foundation started the Girls Opportunity Alliance…” Read the full message +
This just in: @MichelleObama will share a special message at the 2020 @GirlUp Leadership Summit in celebration of girls around the world.❤️
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) June 24, 2020
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Register and tune in when the virtual Summit kicks off on July 13: https://t.co/xBDIyR4Uv8 pic.twitter.com/MEgTIL7j8l
“My biggest dream is for my children to go to college. No one in my family went to college, so if my daughters can, they will be the first.”
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) June 21, 2020
-Nguyen Van Dong from Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam shares his hopes for his daughters this #FathersDay. pic.twitter.com/RxB6ATAdfq
To celebrate #FathersDay, Eric Mlambo wrote a letter to his daughter to share how she inspires his work to empower girls through education.
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) June 20, 2020
Eric is one of the leaders in our @GirlsAlliance community, and I hope you'll support this work around the world: https://t.co/uAJh9LbSW0. pic.twitter.com/jy6pVDqV9x
Wishing all the mothers, including our own Mom-in-Chief @MichelleObama, a very happy #MothersDay! pic.twitter.com/oOBRCra5fj
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) May 10, 2020
On #MothersDay we’re honoring moms like Rebecca, who is from rural Kenya. Rebecca was forced to drop out of school but vowed that life would be different for her daughters.
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) May 10, 2020
She kept that promise: her daughter Gatwiri became the first woman in their village to attend university. pic.twitter.com/oalKyPqwVh
On #TeacherAppreciationDay, we’re celebrating teachers around the world like Tây Thi, who overcame great odds to go to school. She says she hopes her work will “pay forward the gift of education that changed my life."
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) May 5, 2020
Grateful to her and to teachers everywhere. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/1xWFbqHtba
Art can help children explain the world around them—and how they’re feeling on the inside too. The @RPSChildrenFund encouraged the girls they work with in Vietnam to express their feelings about #COVID19 through art, and we are so moved by the paintings they created. pic.twitter.com/XtKcsSyALh
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) April 29, 2020
During #COVID19 school closures, Physically Active Youth Namibia is working to keep girls active and connected.
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) April 24, 2020
They’re running virtual academic programs, fun exercise videos to do at home, and care package deliveries that reach hundreds of people in their community. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aZon4BS83K
More inspired than ever by the members of our community: @WGEP is helping girls and their families in rural Kenya and Senegal respond to #COVID19 by distributing soap, cleaning supplies, rice, and funds for food.💕 pic.twitter.com/uHrdTASOjG
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) April 24, 2020
This #WorldHealthDay we're celebrating women like Pauline, who works as a nurse in Malawi.
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) April 7, 2020
When Pauline was growing up, people told her that school was a waste of time. But she kept studying because she dreamed of helping others through her work. Today, she does exactly that. pic.twitter.com/25GzpspNlw
On #WorldHealthDay, we’re sharing our profound gratitude for health care workers and those training to become them around the world. The majority of these workers are women, and we are full of admiration for their dedication to helping others. pic.twitter.com/nOgE4qiZhc
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) April 7, 2020
This #InternationalWomensDay, let’s work together to empower the next generation of women.
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) March 8, 2020
That’s the idea behind the @GirlsAlliance—and I’m thrilled @YouTube is sharing the stories of our work in a new Creators For Change special. Tune in on March 17: https://t.co/r6CEE98VRz pic.twitter.com/yJz9G9PCnm
Happy #InternationalWomensDay!
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) March 8, 2020
The future of our world is as bright as our girls, so we hope you’ll take action to support projects that empower adolescent girls through education. Donate in honor of a woman in your life today: https://t.co/MglBz5vxUb pic.twitter.com/23J6mH9gav
An educated girl can lift up her family, her community, and her country.
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) January 24, 2020
On the #InternationalDayofEducation, take action to support projects that help girls around the world to stay in school and pursue their dreams: https://t.co/MglBz5vxUb pic.twitter.com/zJ4XQZzI3w
Michelle Obama and Julia Roberts reflect on their trip to Vietnam with the Girls Opportunity Alliance—and share stories from their own journeys in leadership.
“Intellect knows no gender. Possibility doesn’t know race. It doesn’t know religion.” @MichelleObama opens her main stage session about the power of global girls’ education at #ObamaLeaders. pic.twitter.com/AcdtGlGtCl
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) December 12, 2019
What an incredible day in Vietnam with members of the @GirlsAlliance community!
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) December 9, 2019
Take a look at our visit to Cần Giuộc high school and then visit https://t.co/uAJh9LbSW0 to support projects that empower girls through education in Vietnam and around the world. pic.twitter.com/dVJD5WGUmY
At the #ObamaSummit, @MichelleObama spent time with members of our community who are working to empower adolescent girls through education in countries like Peru, Uganda, and Vietnam.
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) November 15, 2019
Take a look at some special moments from the discussion. pic.twitter.com/hf4J4ZZi2p
“I want to be an example for girls in Cambodia,” says Oul Salav, who joined us at the #ObamaSummit. “If I can go to school, work hard, and achieve my dreams, then maybe they will believe that they can do it too. And they might even get a hug from Michelle Obama along the way.” pic.twitter.com/FNq2YQlV1x
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) November 1, 2019
"We're a team," @MichelleObama told Girls Opportunity Alliance leaders and participants at the #ObamaSummit. "And every girl you help becomes a part of the alliance." pic.twitter.com/X809xs7HmL
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) November 1, 2019
It was wonderful to spend time with leaders from the @GirlsAlliance community at the #ObamaSummit. From Ethiopia to Guatemala to Vietnam, they’re showing up each day, hoping to make a difference for girls who deserve so much. I’m so proud of them. pic.twitter.com/oqUzaM0eVB
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) October 30, 2019
“I want to create a better world for girls in Guatemala like my daughter,” says Ancelma Ortiz. “At the #ObamaSummit, I met so many other leaders who share my dream to empower girls and who believe in the power of education. I feel more ready than ever to create change.” pic.twitter.com/scvMtyU5bx
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) October 30, 2019
Yesterday, Veronica Thamaini from @CreativeAction_ took the stage at the #ObamaSummit to discuss her work to empower adolescent girls in Kenya through education—and to encourage leaders everywhere to build the futures they want to see in their communities. pic.twitter.com/2PmOGN6qC7
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) October 30, 2019
This morning: @MichelleObama, @CraigMalRob, @Ava, @TheasterGates and more take the stage at the #ObamaSummit. Don’t miss out. Tune in live at 10 am CT at https://t.co/aGSLPSDtgE. pic.twitter.com/OFcw3aRlSb
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) October 29, 2019
This December, @BarackObama and @MichelleObama will join our first-ever #ObamaLeaders: Asia-Pacific gathering in Malaysia. The initiative will connect 200 changemakers from across the region for a year-long leadership program: https://t.co/cg38Am7Jqn pic.twitter.com/XfT4aH9OjC
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) October 15, 2019
Happy #DayoftheGirl! I’m thrilled to share that in December I’ll be joining @MichelleObama to travel to Vietnam to meet with girls from the @GirlsAlliance community and the organizations working to support their education and their dreams!!! This is an absolute dream come true! pic.twitter.com/ysl1nPuVrq
— Lana Condor (@lanacondor) October 11, 2019
In rural Vietnam, two wheels can change a girl’s future. @RPSChildrenFund gives bikes to girls in Vietnam to help them get to school quickly and safely. On the #DayoftheGirl, we hope you’ll learn more about their work: https://t.co/0YqOUaAEfY pic.twitter.com/RPBYy2BOr1
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) October 11, 2019
This International Day of the Girl, former first lady @MichelleObama reveals that she and @JennaBushHager will be traveling to Vietnam in December to shine a light on those helping girls stay in school! #DayOfTheGirlTODAY pic.twitter.com/Yg1q9DozZO
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 11, 2019
Happy #DayoftheGirl! I’m excited to share that in December, I’ll be visiting Vietnam to meet some of the inspiring girls from the @GirlsAlliance community and the organizations that work so hard to support their dreams.
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) October 11, 2019
I can't wait to share their stories with you.
Don’t we all have a school photo like this one with the braces and awkward hair! But we got to be in school which 98 million adolescent girls cannot do. I’m with @MichelleObama and @girlsalliance supporting these girls! @ObamaFoundation #WorldCharityDay #BackToSchool https://t.co/8Zk4llK2aa pic.twitter.com/QXxzp2SXPY
— Tina Tchen (@TinaTchen) September 5, 2019
This year my daughter is starting school for the first time ever. I want every girl to have the same opportunity that she has to pursue her education and her dreams.
— Tiffany Drake (@tdrake888) September 5, 2019
This #backtoschool season, help the @girlsalliance empower girls around the world: https://t.co/2gkGypZvpo pic.twitter.com/Q8aAvTs79i
On #WorldCharityDay, share your #BackToSchool photo and take action to recognize how many girls around the world do not have the opportunity to attend school. @girlsalliance
— Traci Scannell Crowe (@traci_crowe) September 5, 2019
: https://t.co/f57mprFQiI pic.twitter.com/r1RcUsLAXS
It’s Women’s Equality Day!! I’m proud to support the @girlsalliance with these lovely ladies. It’s an incredible organization that empowers girls around the world by giving them access to education! pic.twitter.com/V3k2Dx1nxy
— Meghan Trainor (@Meghan_Trainor) August 26, 2019
The future of our world is only as bright as our girls—so today on #InternationalYouthDay, I’m challenging all of you to help the @girlsalliance empower the next generation of girls through education.
— mallory pugh (@MalPugh) August 12, 2019
Show your support: https://t.co/kI4EXeFFC1 pic.twitter.com/fDfXHtFREd
The future of our world is only as bright as our girls—so today on #InternationalYouthDay,I’m challenging all of u to help the @GirlsAlliance empower the next generation of girls through education
— Bailee Madison (@BaileeMadison) August 12, 2019
Show ur support: https://t.co/w0g7lKvnq0 ❤️ps.Happy first day of 1st grade Riley! pic.twitter.com/DJFZgPKHCX
One of the best experiences of my life has been meeting young people all over the world. They’re proof that our best days are still ahead.
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) August 12, 2019
On #InternationalYouthDay, check out the @GirlsAlliance to help girls lead us into the years ahead: https://t.co/uAJh9LbSW0 pic.twitter.com/Y1GLtBDQOg
Happy #InternationalYouthDay! Join us to celebrate by taking action for adolescent girls’ education around the world. Here are six ways to start: https://t.co/eXvqaaNSog
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) August 12, 2019
At the Women’s World Cup, we saw how sports can inspire and elevate us all. Thuba Sibanda is an @ObamaFoundation leader who uses sports to empower girls in Namibia every day. You can support leaders like Thuba through the @GirlsAlliance, and I hope you do: https://t.co/uAJh9LbSW0 pic.twitter.com/esdiQPWbLV
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) July 11, 2019
Mang Đẫn never had the opportunity to go to school, but he has made education a priority for his daughter, Hay. “I want her to dream her dreams,” he says.
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) June 16, 2019
On #FathersDay, join us to celebrate dads like Đẫn and support girls like Hay around the world: https://t.co/MglBz5vxUb pic.twitter.com/t1n3HSAmBs
Tisa Manyenje works with @AGEAfrica and the Mother Group in Malawi to advise parents on the importance of keeping their daughters in school.
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) May 12, 2019
Tisa's #MothersDay wish? A world where all girls have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. pic.twitter.com/x0MixseiGU
This is Sophea, who is from rural Cambodia.
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) May 12, 2019
"When my mom was my age, she had no opportunity to finish school. She wants me to have a better future, so she sends me and my brothers to school and tells us to study hard. There's nothing she wouldn't do for us."#MothersDay pic.twitter.com/zm2JZTc81M
“No one can do it alone. Collaboration is key to driving action and awareness.”
— Girls Opportunity Alliance (@girlsalliance) March 12, 2019
Our Executive Director Tiffany Drake, @AsanteAfrica and @ProcterGamble shared ideas on how nonprofits and private sector organizations can work together to create change for girls at #CSW63. pic.twitter.com/SKUQWOltT6
Meet Diana. Every day, she would wake up before sunrise and walk for two hours to go to her school in Malawi. Then a scholarship from @AGEAfrica changed her life.
— Global Girls Alliance (@girlsalliance) March 8, 2019
On #InternationalWomensDay, we are proud to celebrate the boundless promise of girls like Diana. pic.twitter.com/Wzss0bUAg7
Rebecca underwent female genital mutilation when she was just 12 years old. She was forced to drop out of school—and vowed that things would be different for her daughter.
— Global Girls Alliance (@girlsalliance) February 6, 2019
Today on the Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM, watch her story and learn about @WGEP’s work to #EndFGM. pic.twitter.com/crBIJv1W8L
When Robert and Vanessa met at the #ObamaSummit in Chicago, they decided to collaborate. By bringing her Singapore-based initiative, Freedom Cups, to his SOM Chess Academy in Uganda, they're helping ensure women don’t have to miss school when they get their period: pic.twitter.com/hBk2FIQnrh
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) January 25, 2019
Dr. Urvashi Sahni, founder of the Study Hall Educational Foundation in India, says her 2019 resolution is to “support more girls than ever to receive an empowering education—and to show how the world can change when girls go to school.”
— Global Girls Alliance (@girlsalliance) January 1, 2019
Learn more: https://t.co/bh0sH8E8Tf pic.twitter.com/6GWVk4kJxM
"I’m calling on all of you to help plant the seeds of change for adolescent girls all around the world."
— Global Girls Alliance (@girlsalliance) December 2, 2018
Watch @MichelleObama's message for @GlobalCitizen's #Mandela100 Festival—and share how you'll help to plant seeds of change for girls' education in your community. pic.twitter.com/zVNljpETyV
For #GivingTuesday, the Global @GirlsAlliance asked young women what they're thankful for this holiday season—and how they plan to pay it forward to girls around the world.
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) November 27, 2018
I hope you'll follow their lead. Support projects for girls at https://t.co/Z5q8KOBrmF pic.twitter.com/D5teV3x2L2
Kiran Sahu works in five homes to support her mother and five sisters. She thought her chance for an education was over—until she found the Prerna Girls School. “Now I am proud to say that I’m the most educated person in my family.” #ObamaSummit pic.twitter.com/dmWCEMiF5N
— Global Girls Alliance (@girlsalliance) November 19, 2018
Today at the #ObamaSummit, Laxmi Nishad shared the story of her struggle to access education—and the way the Prerna Girls School changed her life.
— Global Girls Alliance (@girlsalliance) November 19, 2018
Watch her story and then visit https://t.co/zgUXqxUXlq to support organizations like SHEF that are changing girls' lives every day. pic.twitter.com/aMBsnJzaM3
Talking about the challenges facing 98 million girls around the world in getting their education with these champions! @girlsalliance @ObamaFoundation @MichelleObama #ObamaSummit pic.twitter.com/GMN8penZro
— Tina Tchen (@TinaTchen) November 19, 2018
Honoured to be joining @ObamaFoundation and @girlsalliance at #ObamaSummit to exchange energies and discuss the important of girls’ education. Follow along! ❤️🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/gRZ53cYlHp
— Lilly Singh (@IISuperwomanII) November 19, 2018
Right now, 98 million adolescent girls are not in school. Every single one of them has a story. Today at the #ObamaSummit, Laxmi Nishad shared hers.
— Global Girls Alliance (@girlsalliance) November 19, 2018
Watch here and then visit https://t.co/mwETViCPiR to support organizations that are changing girls’ lives every day. pic.twitter.com/yCEKTbujwL
I can be anything I want to be. Education has changed my life. I believe that all girls should fight to get an education.
Kiran Sahu, a member of the Global Girls Alliance
Here we go! We’re LIVE at the #ObamaSummit.
— Global Girls Alliance (@girlsalliance) November 19, 2018
Tune in at https://t.co/TSOaaQh4T0 to see Laxmi Nishad, Kiran Sahu, and Dr. Urvashi Sahni share their stories about adolescent girls’ education in India and their dream of a world where every girl can go to school. pic.twitter.com/gtrRsPkfQx
When you educate a girl, you educate a family, a community, a country.
Michelle Obama
"Every alliance needs allies." Thanks to everyone who joined us today on the @TODAYShow to kick off the #GlobalGirlsAlliance.
— @girlsalliance (@girlsalliance) October 11, 2018
Take action at https://t.co/TpUehd7s3L. pic.twitter.com/6iktgQOLJz
JUST ANNOUNCED: Join @MichelleObama and the @girlsalliance as we work to give adolescent girls around the world the opportunities and access to the education they deserve: https://t.co/XYSqhBPQRm #GlobalGirlsAlliance https://t.co/knXOsBE4uR
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) October 11, 2018
Educating girls doesn't just transform their life prospects—it transforms the prospects of their families, communities, and nations.
Michelle Obama
Every girl on the planet should have the same opportunity to fulfill and shape her own destiny.
Michelle Obama