Four years ago, when I released my memoir, Becoming, I traveled across the country and around the world, meeting so many incredible people—including many of you. It was a little scary to share so much of my story for the first time, but I was so moved by your response. And then, the pandemic hit, leaving us isolated at home during a time of uncertainty. And like everyone else, I had a lot of questions about how to overcome anxiety and fear when it felt like the ground was moving beneath us—and I heard those questions from so many of you, too.

As we celebrate #MalalaDay today, we asked young women from the @girlsalliance to tell us how @Malala inspires them. Check out what they shared below: “In my community, many girls don’t finish school. My parents encouraged my education, but there were times when I felt my dreams slipping away. Malala gave me an example of strength and determination to take inspiration from. I’m proud to say I graduated.” -Clare, Kampala, Uganda

It’s been a tough couple of weeks since we saw the leaked SCOTUS draft opinion on abortion. Even if we knew the courts were heading toward this day, it doesn’t make the frustration, grief, and fear any less real. But we don’t have to stand idly by while others try to turn back the clock on progress. I’m so inspired by everyone out marching today. And I know that we’re going to see so many folks carrying this energy forward to the elections in November and in every election after that.

Your vote is your voice. It’s your power. And right now, from the President of the United States on down, we’re seeing and hearing just how desperate some are to take that power away. They want us to believe that their pride is more important than our democracy. And this is just unconscionable at a time when a staggering number of Americans are dying every day from a virus that was downplayed for far too long. It’s unconscionable to focus on overturning an election rather than helping struggling families or distributing a vaccine.

I’m beyond thrilled that my friend @JoeBiden and our first Black and Indian-American woman Vice President, @KamalaHarris, are headed to restore some dignity, competence, and heart at the White House. Our country sorely needs it. Thank you to all of you who poured every ounce of your hope and determination into this democracy over these past four years, registering voters, getting them to the polls, keeping folks informed. More votes were cast in this election than ever before. It’s because of you.

My heart goes out to everyone touched by this virus, from those at the White House, especially the Secret Service and residence staff whose service ought never be taken for granted, to all those names and stories most of us will unfortunately never know. twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… The truth is, the events of the past few days are a bracing reminder of the tragedy that has been this administration’s response to this crisis.

So much has changed so quickly. And if any of you are confused or scared or angry—or just plain overwhelmed—I just want you to know that you aren’t alone. I am feeling all that, too. And I have a few things I want to say about it. To anyone who’s feeling invisible: Know that your story matters. Your ideas, your experiences, your vision for our world all matter.

Your anger—that matters too. But left on its own, it will only corrode, destroy, and sow chaos—on the inside and out.

Like so many of you, I’m pained by these recent tragedies. And I’m exhausted by a heartbreak that never seems to stop. Right now it’s George, Breonna, and Ahmaud. Before that it was Eric, Sandra, and Michael. It just goes on, and on, and on. Race and racism is a reality that so many of us grow up learning to just deal with. But if we ever hope to move past it, it can’t just be on people of color to deal with it.

One of my greatest joys as First Lady was getting to meet so many incredible young people from across the country. I’ve always been in awe of students working hard to overcome obstacles to get a higher education & build a better life for themselves. #ReachHigher There’s Zaniya, who won our #BetterMakeRoom essay contest and got to be on the cover of @seventeen with me in 2016. Now, she’s a sophomore at George Washington University and started her own campaign to empower young women. 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿 bit.ly/2DVQMB4