First Lady Michelle Obama addresses nation on kidnapped Nigerian girls, importance of education

[cal04]

Source: Star Tribune

Michelle Obama addresses nation on kidnapped Nigerian girls, importance of education for girls

Michelle Obama on Saturday criticized the kidnapping of scores of Nigerian schoolgirls as an "unconscionable act" carried out by a terrorist group she said is determined to keep them from getting an education — "or grown men attempting to snuff out the aspirations of young girls."

Taking over the president's weekly radio and Internet address on the eve of the American holiday for honoring mothers, the first lady said that, like millions of people around the world, she and President Barack Obama are "outraged and heartbroken" over the April 15 abduction of the girls from their dormitory.

"In these girls, Barack and I see our own daughters," Mrs. Obama said, referring to Malia, 15, and Sasha, 12. "We see their hopes, their dreams and we can only imagine the anguish their parents are feeling right now."

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/politics/258748301.html

---

Weekly Address: The First Lady Marks Mother’s Day and Speaks Out on the Tragic Kidnapping in Nigeria

WASHINGTON, DC – In this week’s address, First Lady Michelle Obama honored all mothers on this upcoming Mother’s Day and offered her thoughts, prayers and support in the wake of the unconscionable terrorist kidnapping of more than 200 Nigerian girls.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/05/09/weekly-address-first-lady-marks-mother-s-day-and-speaks-out-tragic-kidna

[BumRushDaShow]

1. Listened to her on the radio early this morning giving this

[JDPriestly]

2. Beautiful statement!

Educate women! We are 1/2 of the world. We need education.

[MADem]

3. Superb statement--she did an outstanding job. nt

[Cha]

4. Thank you, Michelle Obama!

mahalo cal

[Major Hogwash]

5. This was unbelievable!

I saw the news report on the First Lady doing this weeks weekly address on tv last night and was stunned.

[Le Taz Hot]

6. Thank you, Mrs. Obama.

I know there has been much rending of cloth and gnashing of teeth on DU here about how we shouldn't get involved, but, as someone upthread said, we ARE 1/2 the world's population and in too many parts of the world, including this one, women are still treated as chattel. Yoko Ono actually had a term for it and John Lennon made a song about it but I doubt I can mention the title of it here without it being (purposely) taken wrong, but the song's sentiment was right on.