joined forces to promote women and education to a group of young girls.

The First Lady and the actress brought inspiring messages -

highlighting the need to empower women through education.

Mrs Obama encouraged girls across the world to have the confidence to be themselves.

"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,"

The First Lady's 'Let Girls Learn' initiative aims to reduce the number of girls

not in school and thereby improve their financial security, health and independence.

"We're really working to engage everyone on the ground, everyone all around the world.

But we also want you all to be aware of this.

So a huge part of 'Let Girls Learn' is public awareness here in the U.S.

We want you guys to know about these 62 million girls

and we want this to spur and inspire you to not take your education for granted.

Because let me tell you, there are 62 million girls around the world

who would give anything to be in your position,"

"For me this is personal.

You know, when I think about those 62 million girls that aren't in school I think about

myself,

I think about my daughters.

Because quite frankly all these girls, these are our girls.

And I think about where I would be in my life if I didn't work hard in school

and have the opportunity to go to college and then on to law school -

I wouldn't be here.

So I think it's imperative and it is part of my passion

and my mission to make sure that every girl on the planet

has the same opportunity that I've had, that my daughters have.

And I want to make sure that all of you here in the United States

are taking advantage of the opportunities that you have as well,

I want you to be that hungry to get your education

because it is going to be the key to your future."

Theron is not only a UN Messenger of Peace,

she also founded the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project in her home country of South

Africa.

The Oscar winning actress urged girls to understand and recognize their worth.

"There is nothing sexier than a smart woman.

We have been told to live by a certain mold, women, especially women and it's time to break

it.

And it is up to us to do that.

Stop waiting for men to do that.

Look in the mirror and see yourself and say

'I am sexy, I am attractive, I am smart, I am intelligent, I am powerful.'"