How often do you get a chance to be in the same room with The First Lady of the United Sates? How often is that lady in question is someone that you actually admire, follow and look up to? How often does she attend a panel that is also moderated by Queen Latifah, with fellow panelists being Missy Elliott, Diane Warren and Sofia Bush? Well, it all happened at one during "Let Girls Learn" keynote panel at South by Southwest, and I just knew I had to attend it, because it was truly an opportunity of a lifetime.
I knew I needed to get up early to get into the room with all these powerhouse ladies who were scheduled to attend the panel, and getting up at 5AM to see them definitely paid off, I had the best seats!
The panel was dedicated to the conversations around First Lady's initiative "62 Million Girls" or "Let Girls Learn" where Mrs. Obama shared with us her dreams and plans to bring education to 62 million girls out there in the world who currently have no access to education. How cruel and heartbreaking it is that something as basic as education, that we take for granted, is denied to so many?
The First Lady talked a lot about her own upbringing and constant struggles she had against people who told her that "she can not" because she is a girl, and growing up in south side of Chicago. How lucky are we now that she never listened to them and kept on pushing on?
I had to pinch myself a few times to remember that what I was witnessing was not a dream, but a real panel I was attending and the ladies I admire so much were all there in person!
My favorite quote from Queen Latifah who rocked as a moderator for the panel was "When you remove a woman's voice, you are lacking", and from Mrs. Obama herself: "When you are at a table, ask yourself, is there diversity?" I also really admired and appreciated the whole message of "do something" to change things for the better instead of boycotting and protesting silently.
Really enjoyed listening and seeing Missy Elliott in person. She shared some of her wisdoms too that I will definitely take further with me.
The most exciting part for me came at the very end. Michelle did the round of meet and greet with people and I got to hug her! You can't imagine how excited, elated and inspired I was after meeting these wonderful people!
So glad you got to have this experience!
ReplyDeleteThank you!! It was very special indeed :-)
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