Michelle Obama , the wife of 44th U. Despite her initial misgivings, she proved to be an effective surrogate for him on the campaign trail. As a young mother, a fashion icon and the first African American first lady, Michelle Obama became a role model to many Americans. Both children skipped the second grade, and Michelle was later chosen for a gifted-student program that enabled her to take French and advanced biology courses.
Making the lengthy daily trip to attend Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, Michelle became student council treasurer and a member of the National Honor Society before graduating as class salutatorian in After earning her J. Assigned to mentor a summer intern named Barack Obama , she deflected his initial romantic advancements before they began dating.
They were engaged within two years, and married at the Trinity United Church of Christ on October 3, In , she was named executive director for the Chicago branch of Public Allies, a leadership-training program for young adults. When Obama decided to run for Illinois state senator in , Michelle proved a disciplined campaign aide by canvassing for signatures and throwing fundraising parties.
However, their victory presented the family with new challenges; following the births of daughters Malia and Sasha , Michelle often had to juggle the demands of work and child-rearing alone with her husband tending to business in the state capital of Springfield.
Successful despite the difficulties, Michelle was named executive director of community relations and external affairs for the University of Chicago Hospitals in How a year-old found the confidence to be a speechwriter for President Obama. The Definitive Guide to Business. This is why Tim Cook and other successful leaders wake up around AM.
Make It. On January 13, , Michelle made her final speech as first lady at the White House, saying "being your first lady has been the greatest honor of my life and I hope I've made you proud.
So don't be afraid. You hear me, young people? Don't be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered. Empower yourself with a good education. Then get out there and use that education to build a country worthy of your boundless promise.
Lead by example with hope; never fear. During a conversation with poet Elizabeth Alexander at the Obama Foundation's inaugural youth leadership summit in Chicago, in November , the former first lady spoke about the problems with impulsively firing off thoughts on social media. You don't tweet every thought.
Most of your first initial thoughts are not worthy of the light of day. Michelle also addressed the topic of protecting women from sexual harassment, a hot-button issue stemming from recent accusations made against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and others in position of power. We ask them to speak their mind. We ask them to just say no, to speak out against sexual harassment," Michelle said. It takes practice to have a voice.
You have to use it again, and again, and again before you can say 'no. As first lady of the United States, Michelle focused her attention on issues such as the support of military families, helping working women balance career and family and encouraging national service.
During the first year of the Obama presidency, Michelle and Barack volunteered at homeless shelters and soup kitchens in the Washington, D. Michelle also made appearances at public schools, stressing the importance of education and volunteer work.
Ever conscious of her family's diet and health, Michelle supported the organic-food movement, instructing the White House kitchens to prepare organic food for guests and her family. In March , Michelle worked with 23 fifth graders from a local school in Washington, D. She also put efforts to fight childhood obesity near the top of her agenda.
Michelle remained committed throughout her time as first lady to her health-and-wellness causes. In , she announced a new fitness program for kids as part of her Let's Move initiative. Along with the U. Olympic team and other sports organizations, she worked to get young people to try out a new sport or activity. And that is so important, because sometimes all it takes is that first lesson, or clinic, or class to get a child excited about a new sport," she said in a statement.
The Robinsons lived in a brick bungalow on the South Side of Chicago. Fraser was a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department, and despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at a young age, he hardly ever missed a day of work. Marian stayed home to raise Michelle and her older brother Craig, skillfully managing a busy household filled with love, laughter, and important life lessons.
After a few years, Mrs. Obama decided her true calling was working with people to serve their communities and their neighbors. She served as assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago's City Hall before becoming the founding executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program that prepares youth for public service.
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