Michelle Obama stuns with a throwback prom pic to encourage voting
Michelle Obama’s getting more use out of her prom dress.
The former first lady posted a throwback to her 1982 prom night on Tuesday, sharing a snap of her younger self wearing a pink satin polka-dotted gown and seated beside her then-boyfriend David.
Obama’s post kicks off the Prom Challenge initiative, which encourages schools to create new and inspiring ways to register students to vote.
The challenge was established by MTV’s +1thevote campaign and When We All Vote, a group Obama co-chairs that aims to increase election participation for people of all ages and races.
A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama) on Feb 18, 2020 at 7:30am PST
Obama encouraged students and teachers to join the challenge by submitting innovative ways their schools are encouraging voter registration. The 20 high schools with the most creative initiatives will win up to $5,000 toward their proms.
The former first lady also invited others to spread the word and share their own prom throwbacks. Celebrities including Kerry Washington and Tracee Ellis Ross have already voiced their support.
18 yr old me in ‘90 ready for prom in this @armani dress, bangles & shoes. Prom was fun, but my 1st time voting was life changing. If you're a student or teacher, join @WhenWeAllVote & @MTV’s #PromChallenge & u could win a free prom for your school!
https://t.co/DalCN0ha9Kpic.twitter.com/YoOAYDBFJO— Tracee Ellis Ross (@TraceeEllisRoss) February 18, 2020
It’s not Thursday but I’m throwin’ it back…to prom! Well, one of em. I went to a few🤣😂 #PromChallenge (I 👀 you @MichelleObama!)@WhenWeAllVote & @MTV are registering students to vote and they might just help YOU throw an unforgettable prom. Sign up👉🏾 https://t.co/BCA9MRa1TL! pic.twitter.com/yXviAjFpBr
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) February 18, 2020
Prom is unforgettable but so is voting in your first election.
Join @WhenWeAllVote and @MTV to help classmates get registered to vote and they might help you throw your school an unforgettable prom.
Sign up your school for the #PromChallenge at https://t.co/lRzMfVWmIxpic.twitter.com/m4TvnQYffw— Jayson Tatum (@jaytatum0) February 18, 2020
.@WhenWeAllVote and @MTV are challenging students and teachers to find the most creative ways to help register voters at your school.
Interested? You can receive up to $5,000 for an epic prom 🕺🏽🎉
Show me what you got and sign up for the #PromChallenge: https://t.co/TznYrKzlXqpic.twitter.com/UvjpzQ2srj— Jidenna (@Jidenna) February 18, 2020
What a great cause. #PromChallenge@WhenWeAllVote@MTV
Since we’re looking back, this is my prom dress, 1975.#grounded#WorthIthttps://t.co/4z0CPcJfVspic.twitter.com/r5mkGBhtzW— Connie Schultz (@ConnieSchultz) February 18, 2020
1986 Prom with David Miercort in Dallas! #PromChallenge
@WhenWeAllVote and @MTV want to hear from teachers and students to know how your school is registering people to vote, and one school will win a free prom! https://t.co/jAl4P3N3a2
#80sthrowback#80sprompic.twitter.com/vpvjH0atIz— Lisa Loeb (@LisaLoeb) February 18, 2020
Did I rock a Gummi Bear Corsage for my prom? You’re damn right I did.
Join the #PromChallenge with @WhenWeAllVote and @MTV and tell us what your school is doing to register students to vote. You could get a free prom for your school! Learn more: https://t.co/zjee3AAH79pic.twitter.com/yYtieMyiCh— Paul Scheer (@paulscheer) February 18, 2020
Tom Hanks, another of the co-chairs of When We All Vote, tweeted in support of the campaign — but disappointingly, has not yet shared his own prom throwback.
You in High School? Want to Vote in Novemeber? Register! Check out how! Hanx #WhenWeAllVote#PromChallenge
— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) February 18, 2020
This article originally appeared on HuffPost.