Michelle Obama unveils campaign focusing on girls’ education

Obama spoke about the 62 Million Girls campaign in front of a feverish audience in Central Park.

First Lady Michelle Obama introduced a new campaign focusing on education for girls around the world at the Global Citizen Festival in New York City. Obama appeared in a video Saturday at the event starring Beyoncé, Hugh Jackman and others. Obama spoke about the 62 Million Girls campaign in front of a feverish audience in Central Park.

First Lady Michelle Obama introduced a new campaign focusing on education for girls around the world at the Global Citizen Festival in New York City on Saturday. (AP/file)

She said she’s traveled the world and met with young women who have not had a chance to receive an education. She said “I see myself in these girls. I see my daughters in these girls. ... For me this is truly a moral issue.” She asked the audience to tweet photos of themselves with the hashtag #62MillionGirls and say what you learned in school. Obama said she learned how to “speak up” in school. She said the photos will “show the power of education.”

“We are helping adolescent girls worldwide go to school,” Obama also said. Performers at the event include Pearl Jam, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay. Obama later was introduced to the stage by Beyoncé after the pop star performed an energetic set.