Michelle Obama's Mother's Day Message Focuses on Nigerian Kidnappings

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White House

In a special Mother's Day message to the nation, First Lady Michelle Obama addressed the kidnapping of nearly 300 schoolgirls in Nigeria, saying that she and President Barack Obama join "millions of people around the world" who 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," said Mrs. Obama, referring to Malia, 15, and Sasha, 12. She took over the president's usual weekly radio and Internet address Saturday on the eve of Mother's Day. "We see their hopes, their dreams and we can only imagine the anguish their parents are feeling right now."

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The first lady said that the incident in Nigeria is not an isolated one, but rather "a story we see every day as girls around the world risk their lives to pursue their ambitions."

Mrs. Obama noted that more than 65 million girls worldwide don't attend school even though educated women earn more money and have healthier families. "When more girls attend secondary school, that boosts their country's entire economy," she said. "So education is truly a girl's best chance for a bright future, not just for herself, but for her family and her nation."

Watch the full video above.