Birthday - January 17, 1964
Who is Michelle Obama?
Michelle Obama is a lawyer, a writer, the first African-American First Lady of the United States, mother of two girls, and a passionate advocate for the arts, nutrition and education.
Five Facts about Michelle Obama
- Born to Fraser and Marian Robinson in Chicago
- Learned to read at home by the age of four
- Studied at Princeton, and later graduated from Harvard Law School
- A role model for women and healthy families
- Wrote her memoir ‘Becoming’ about her early years and life in the public eye
Inspirational Quotes from Michelle Obama
"...I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves, and I watch my daughters, two beautiful, intelligent, Black young women, playing with their dogs on the White House lawn,"
“I want our young people to know that they matter, that they belong. 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."
"Whether you come from a council estate or a country estate, your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude,"
"If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's the power of using your voice,"
"You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it's important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages,"
Michelle Obama Biography
Early Life
Michelle and her older brother Craig were raised by their parents in a brick bungalow in the South of Chicago. Her father, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at an early age, worked at a Chicago water purification plant.
Husband and Children
At her first job at a law firm in Chicago, she met Barack Obama who was hired as a summer associate. She was assigned as his advisor and they dated for two years before marrying in 1992. They have two daughters, Sasha and Malia.
Turning Point
She decided to work in public service by 1991 when she quit her corporate law job. She worked for a non-profit organization in a leadership training program, helping young people train for careers in the public sector. She served on the board of the prestigious Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Mission and Work
She realized her passion was helping communities and working with youth. She served as assistant commissioner of planning and development at Chicago's City Hall. Later, she joined the University of Chicago as Associate Dean of Student Services, spearheading the University’s introductory community service plan.
When her husband was elected senator from Illinois in 2004, Michelle was by his side during the campaigning, making a strong impression on the public. By 2008, when her husband decided make a bid for the President’s office, she devoted herself to strenuous campaigning, often giving stirring speeches that endeared her to the public.
When she became First Lady in 2009, her efforts to inspire and engage youth continued. She tackled childhood obesity by pioneering the Let’s Move program which focused on nutrition. She targeted businesses and educators to provide healthier choices for children.
She planted a vegetable garden in the White House. In her book, ‘American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America (2012)’ she outlined her experiences with this project. Giving support to military families was another cause dear to her heart. Along with Dr Jill Biden, she launched the Join Forces initiative which supports servicemen, veterans, and their families.
In 2014, she launched the Reach Higher program which inspired young people to take control of their lives through post-secondary education. The initiative also lends support to school counselors who would then be able to better advise high school students about opportunities at community colleges and universities. She also joined with President Obama to set up the Let Girls Learn program issuing a global call to empower girls through education.
Legacy
Her work on nutrition, youth and education, and military families, remains a lasting legacy reaching beyond the boundaries of the White House, and touching the lives of many ordinary Americans even today.
