There’s a driving force behind the President Of The United States, and her name is Michelle Obama.
From the 2008 inauguration to this year’s final residency in the White House, Michelle Obama has become the mother and wife of our nation.
Becoming the first African-American First Lady of The United States caused a lot of controversy and racial discrimination to resurface, forcing her to give powerful and moving speeches on the issue on several occasions. Ignoring the naysayers and critics, Michelle Obama has risen as a leader and role model for young girls and women of color. She is unapologetic about setting the bar higher than any other First Lady of the United States by addressing and tearing down all stereotypes while implementing initiatives to better our communities and provide opportunities for higher education.
Let’s take a look at the evolution of Michelle Obama, and revisit some of our favorite moments in recent history.
1985: Graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree From Princeton University
1988: Earns Juris Doctors (J.D) Degree from Harvard Law
– Meets Barack Obama
– Become the Assistant Commissioner of Planning and Development in Chicago’s City Hall
– Becomes the founding Executive Director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies.
1996: University of Chicago
– Becomes the Associate Dean of Student Services
2008- 2016: Becomes The first African-American First Lady of The United States of America.
In 2010, Mrs. Obama launched Let’s Move!, bringing together community leaders, educators, medical professionals, parents, and others in a nationwide effort to address the challenge of childhood obesity. Let’s Move! has an ambitious goal: to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. Whether it’s providing healthier food in our schools, helping kids be more physically active, or urging companies to market healthier foods to our children, Let’s Move! is focused on giving parents the support they need to make healthier choices for their kids.
In 2011, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Jill Biden came together to launch Joining Forces, a nationwide initiative calling all Americans to rally around service members, veterans, and their families and support them through wellness, education, and employment opportunities. Joining Forces works hand in hand with the public and private sector to ensure that service members, veterans, and their families have the tools they need to succeed throughout their lives.
In 2014, Mrs. Obama launched the Reach Higher Initiative, an effort to inspire young people across America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university. Reach Higher aims to ensure that all students understand what they need to complete their education by working to expose students to college and career opportunities; helping them understand financial aid eligibility; encouraging academic planning and summer learning opportunities; and supporting high school counselors who do essential work to help students get into college.
In 2015, Mrs. Obama joined President Obama to launch Let Girls Learn, a U.S. government-wide initiative to help girls around the world go to school and stay in school. As part of this effort, Mrs. Obama is calling on countries across the globe to help educate and empower young women, and she is sharing the stories and struggles of these young women with young people here at home to inspire them to commit to their own education.
2016: Hosts of Black History Month at the White House
Celebrating African American Women In Dance
AND she raps!
As we approach the final days of the Obamas as our Presidential Family, we recognize this is the end of an era, the end of a journey—one we are proud to be part of and witness.
Over the past eight years, the Obamas have become extended family members to us all. We’ve shared and witnessed some of their most touching, coolest, and influential moments. And raised our children alongside their beautiful daughters, Malia and Sasha.
We thank Michelle and Barack Obama for being the greatest, and most influential people of this time and generation. You’ve inspired us to believe anything is possible, you’ve shown us what it is to be strong and proud people of color, and you’ve been the epitome of “Black love,” class, style, grace, and the American Dream.
We take with us all of the memories you’ve provided us throughout the years, and thank you forever more for being our beloved President and First Lady of the United States of America.