First lady promotes learning to empower Moroccan girls MARRAKECH, Morocco — First lady Michelle Obama met with teenage Moroccan girls on Tuesday to promote education in the North African kingdom, where only 36 percent of girls continue school beyond the primary level. Actresses Meryl Streep and Indian star Freida Pinto also took part in Obama’s encounter with a group of two dozen young women to discuss the challenges facing girls in getting educated. USAID is also giving $400,000 to create five new girls’ dormitories that will improve educational opportunities for girls from rural areas.