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First Lady Michelle Obama Meets With New York City Girls To Discuss Education

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Young girls in New York City had a chance to sit down with the First Lady on Tuesday, and she had one thing on her mind; education.

As CBS2's Emily Smith reported, nearly a thousand city girls joined with Michelle Obama to have a global conversation about girl power and education.

"I am the First Lady of the United States, I could not be here doing this with you all if I hadn't stayed in school, if I let somebody make me depressed and not able to get up in the morning," she said.

Obama shared the stage with Charlize Theron, former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and youth representative Nurfhada, a 16-year-old girl.

The event called 'The Power of an Educated Girl' presented by Glamour Magazine, aimed to boost a campaign started by the Obamas to educate more than 62-million girls around the world who are not in school.

Mrs. Obama encouraged all young girls to focus on education instead of boys, particularly boys who don't respect educated women.

"There is no boy cute enough. Look, if I had worried about who liked me and who thought I was cute when I was your age, I wouldn't be married to the President of the United States today," Obama said.

The girls on hand took note that education is the key to their future.

"Now I am able to understand and appreciate what I have been given and the privilege to go to school every day," one girl said.

The First Lady also encouraged the girls to use the hashtag #62MillionGirls on social media.

 

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