Politics

Goodbye, Michelle Obama

Ramah SrinivasanOctober 20, 2016 | 13:18 IST

Michelle Obama made history when she became the first African-American First Lady in the history of the US. Since then, she has been a role model for many Americans. She has simply won their hearts and minds by her sheer inspirational work. Here's why she continues to inspire many.

Michelle has been America's First Lady for eight years now, but she certainly isn't leaving the White House without giving a big fight to the Republican contender for the presidency - Donald Trump.

As the contest for one of the most powerful jobs in the world hots up, Michelle is quite clear about where her loyalties lie. What's more, with her fierce opinions and deep loyalties, the former lawyer and writer can't seem to stay out of the news right now. 

As she prepares to move on to the next stage of her life, we take a look at her lasting legacy and greatest moments.

Michelle was born on January 17, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois. She attended Princeton University, graduating cum laude in 1985, and went on to earn a degree from Harvard Law School in 1988.

Following her graduation from Harvard, she worked at a Chicago law firm, where she met her husband, the future US president, Barack Obama. The couple married on October 3, 1992.

In May 2005, Michelle was appointed vice-president for community and external affairs at University of Chicago Medical Center, where she continued to work part-time until shortly before her husband's election as president. She also served on the board of the prestigious Chicago Council on Global Affairs.

Michelle, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in deep conversation. 

As First Lady, she worked hard on issues of poverty, healthy living and education. Some of her qualities and achievements that made her stand out and prove to the world that she was not the First Lady by chance but also someone to reckon with include:

(i) First Lady Scheme titled “Let Girls Learn” where she has continued to battle for the right of education to all girls irrespectiveof their background or race. 

(ii) She's very clear about her vision for the future and for America which she promotes through her undying stress on healthy living and wholesome organic food for all of the world.

(iii) Her constant message is a strong one that women should grow up believing that they can do anything.

(iv) She's a high achiever in a male dominated society and seen as a force to reckon with, fighting for the cause of women everywhere.

(v) She's herself, unapologetically. She refuses to impress people and dignitaries by hiding under the garb of the First Lady. Instead, she is happy proving to the world that Michelle Obama is even bigger and greater in thought and action than the First Lady of the United States.

(vi) She's determined to raise her daughters the right way, which is amply clear from the famous set of parenting tips she shared with online reporters in one of the conferences at the White House titled "Lead by example".

The Democratic national convention witnessed one of her famous speeches. "Every day, the people I meet inspire me, every day they make me proud, every day they remind me how blessed we are to live in the greatest nation on earth," she said. "Serving as your First Lady is an honour and a privilege".

" 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," she said. "And because of Hillary Clinton, my daughters, and all our sons and daughters, now take for granted that a woman can be president of the US."

This African-American First Lady's speech made white Americans stare at some harsh truths of racism with reddened face, especially pertinent in the current heated political climate of the country and when it may sometimes seem easier to hide one's head in the sand.

She said young women should understand that the measure of any society is how it treats its women and girls and that they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

"Women cannot endure this extent of, or expose their children to this any longer, not for another minute, and let alone for four years. For now is the time for all of the US to stand up and say enough is enough," she added.

This is because, she stated, that “strong men - men who are truly role models - don't need to put down women to make themselves feel powerful. People who are truly strong lift others up”.

"They need someone who will heal the wounds that divide them, someone who truly cares about them and their children, someone with strength and compassion to lead this country forward,” she said.

By her life, behaviour and actions, Michelle has proved to the world that she is a doer.  She is not a First Lady per se, but a lady who believes in the respect and dignity of women – one of the best First Ladies the US has had in decades.

God bless Michelle and Barack to live long and carry forward their dreams, of supporting military families, helping working women balance career and family and encouraging men and women in national service and striving for world peace.

People who are truly powerful bring others together. And that is what they need in their next president. America needs someone who is a uniting force.

Also read: Both Trump and Clinton were losers in last debate

Last updated: October 20, 2016 | 13:18
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