First Lady Michelle Obama has joined forces with Diane Warren, Kelly Clarkson and a number of other female singer-songwriters for a new anthem celebrating female empowerment.
The song, titled “This Is For My Girls,” was released on iTunes at midnight on Wednesday. In addition to Warren and Clarkson, the song also features Kelly Rowland, Zendaya, Missy Elliott, Janelle Monae, Lea Michele, Jadagrace and Chloe & Halle.
“This is for my girls, all around the world / Stand up, hold your head up / Don’t take nothing from nobody / This is for my girls, stand up and be heard / This is for my ladies, my sisters all over / This is for my girls,” the song’s lyrics read.
The song was produced by AOL’s women’s website MAKERS.com. All proceeds from the sale of the song will go toward the White House’s Let Girls Learn initiative.
In an interview with Billboard this week, Warren said she hopes the single becomes a “huge worldwide anthem.”
“It’s kind of like ‘We Are The World’ meets ‘Lady Marmalade’ with these strong voices and strong women,” Warren said. “When was the last time you heard a song like this or a record that had this many amazing divas on it? I’m really proud.”
Obama debuted the track during the South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas on Wednesday, where she delivered the event’s Music keynote address. According to USA Today, the First Lady spoke at length about female equality in education and business, including about how men can be involved in its promotion.
“Ask yourselves, is there diversity around the table?” Obama said. “Are there voices and opinions that don’t sound like yours? … If you’re a man at the table, and you look around and there are only men at the table, you should ask yourself, ‘How can I do better?’ … We need you, men. Get it together.”