Making a Difference: Michelle Williams empowers young girls at Notre Dame University
Article By Jessica Peterson // EEW Magazine Empowerment
Young girls need to know they are treasured, valued and cared for and Christian artist and entrepreneur, Michelle Williams, is making sure they do.
The former Destiny’s Child singer took part in Women Empowering Women, a daylong event for local high school girls, at the University of Notre Dame Thursday, May 24, 2018.
As the 37-year-old motivational speaker reflected on what transpired at the event on Instagram, she stressed the importance of “young ladies knowing that somebody cares.”
More than 200 students from five local high schools participated.
Aside from affirming their worth and uplifting those in attendance in her keynote address, Williams also encouraged attendees to uplift others through kindness both offline and online.
“It could be a person's life you could save just by posting a smiley emoji, since we're in the land of emojis and technology. We really should be responsible with our platform,” she told them. “I'm here for free speech, but I am not here for free speech that demeans, devalues a person, harms a person, [or] defamation. I'm not here for any of that kind of stuff.”
Photo Credit: Barbara Johnston/Shalon Davis
Hosted by Notre Dame’s Office of Public Affairs and the South Bend Community School Corp., the event focused on self-respect, healthy body image, healthy friendships, academic success and goal-setting. Geared toward high-performing and at-risk students of all races and backgrounds, professional speakers and presenters prepared them to both set and achieve personal, professional and academic goals with confidence.
When it comes to doing good, Williams, who recently announced her engagement to preacher, Chad Johnson, told students, “Use your platform. Speak your truth, and I believe we can speak the truth in love."
As a solo gospel artist, Williams has released four albums: 2002's Heart to Yours, 2004's Do You Know, 2008's Unexpected and 2014's Journey to Freedom. Williams is also an ambassador for the Office on Women’s Health, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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