President Trump Ends Michelle Obama’s ‘Let Girls Learn’ Initiative
The Trump administration has made it a well-known fact that numerous programs and agencies will be eliminated during his term as President. Wel,l it looks like Trump will be saying goodbye to the Let Girls Learn initiative spearheaded by Michelle Obama.
Launched in 2015 by the Obama Administration, Let Girls Learn aids adolescent girls in developing countries with educational opportunities. Combining several agencies like the Department of Labor and Agriculture, along with the President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), Let Girls Learn addressed the challenges preventing girls from attaining an education that will enable them to reach their full potential.
According to CNN, the Let Girls Learn initiative will “cease operation immediately,” and while aspects of the program will continue, employees were told to stop using program’s name. “Moving forward, we will not continue to use the Let Girls Learn brand or maintain a stand-alone program,” said Peace Corps acting director Shelia Crowley in an email sent to Peace Corps Employees.
CNN exclusive: Trump administration ending Michelle Obama’s girls education program, effective immediately — via @Kevinliptakcnn
— David Wright (@DavidWright_CNN) May 1, 2017
“Let Girls Learn provided a platform to showcase Peace Corps’ strength in community development, shining a bright light on the work of our Volunteers all over the world,” Crowley wrote in her email. “We are so proud of what Let Girls Learn accomplished and we have all of you to thank for this success.”
This news comes after Ivanka Trump, a self-proclaimed “Entrepreneur & advocate for the education & empowerment of women & girls,” was booed on stage while she defended her fathers’ attitude toward women. Groans from the audience came after Ivanka said her father was a “tremendous champion” of supporting families.
As reported by CNN, Michelle Obama spoke about her own educational journey saying it was very important to her success, not only in the private sector but later as the First Lady. “Education is a very personal thing for me,” Obama said during a discussion in October 2016. “As I tell girls whenever I meet them, I wouldn’t be here, sitting here not just in this chair, but in the life that I have, if it weren’t for my education.”
Photo Credit: PR Photos
