First Ladies | Michelle Obama | 5

The article explores Michelle Obama’s upbringing on Chicago’s South Side, her academic journey, and how her experiences shaped her awareness of racial identity and her drive to excel against the odds.

Michelle Robinson grew up in a small, racially divided neighborhood in Chicago and was a high-achieving student who attended a magnet high school.

Michelle LaVon Robinson was born in Chicago in 1964, growing up with her older brother Craig and her parents, Frazier and Marian Robinson, in a 700 square foot bungalow as the neighborhood began changing racial demographics. Despite the political and racial turmoil of the 1960s in Chicago, the Robinson household was one of stability. Her mother was a secretary and her father worked at a water filtration plant, emphasizing the importance of education.

She displayed academic and musical talent from a young age, preferring the piano to playing with other children. As she started attending Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, designed to bring together talented students from diverse backgrounds, she initially felt intimidated but soon dedicated herself to her studies, enduring a three-hour daily commute and overcoming her self-doubt.

Despite initial self-doubt, Michelle excelled academically and was encouraged by her parents to apply to prestigious universities like Princeton, where she would earn her undergraduate degree.

Michelle's family, whose ancestors had moved to the North as part of the Great Migration, supported her academic pursuits. By her senior year of high school, she had become confident in her abilities, serving as the treasurer of her senior class and a member of the National Honor Society. Despite only having "okay" test scores, she boldly aimed to attend prestigious universities, setting her sights on Princeton University where her brother was a student. After a discouraging meeting with a college counselor, she asserted her capability and determination to get into Princeton, even intending to do so without the counselor's help.

Michelle's experiences at Princeton made her more aware of her racial identity and the challenges of being a minority in elite academic institutions.

At Princeton, Michelle chose to major in sociology and minor in African-American studies. Encountering a predominantly white and male student b ...

Michelle Obama has played an influential role in Barack Obama's political career, showcasing commitment and strategic involvement that influenced his trajectory from a state senator to the presidency.

After graduating from Harvard Law School, Michelle took a position at a prestigious law firm in Chicago, where she would meet and mentor Barack Obama.

After obtaining her Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School in 1988, Michelle Obama joined the private law firm Sidley & Austin in Chicago. It was at this firm where Michelle was tasked with advising a promising summer associate, Barack Obama. Initially, Michelle was not impressed with Barack and rebuffed his romantic overtures because she was focused on her career and held an advisory role over him.

Although initially resistant to Barack's romantic advances, Michelle eventually agreed to date him and the two married in 1992.

Despite her initial hesitation and the potential complications of their work dynamic, as well as their differing lifestyles—with Michelle favoring structure and Barack embracing unpredictability—their relationship flourished. After dating for a few years, they married in October of 1992 at the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

As Barack became increasingly involved in politics, running for the Illinois State Senate and then the U.S. Senate, Michelle was hesitant but ultimately supportive of his ambitions.

Michelle expressed reservations when Barack first considered a bid for the Illinois State Senate. She believed there were more effective ways for him to create social impact and was concerned about him being ground down by the political machine. However, she trusted his judgment, and Barack was elected to the Illinois State Senate in November of 1996.

Michelle was deeply involved in Barack's campaigns, often serving as a surrogate and public face of the campaign, despite her own reservations about the political process.

Michelle's engagement in Barack's political career deepened over time. She participated more in his U.S. Senate campaign than in his previous political bids, attending events such as fundraisers, accepting awards, and speaking at rallies on his behalf. Michelle's participation and visibility increased notably when Barack delivered a speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, catapulting him into the national spotlight.

During Barack's involvement in the U.S. Senate, the family faced a new dynamic, with Michelle remaining in Chicago with their children while Barack worked in Washington, D.C. Despite the attention suggesting a potential presidential run after Barack's Senate victory, Michelle had reservations due to considerations for their children's well-being, financial strain, and her own career trajectory.

Before Barack's presidency, the transcript illustrates a moment in 2008 when Michelle took a leave from her j ...

Michelle Obama, as the first Black woman to serve as First Lady, faced intense public scrutiny but used her platform to champion significant community-serving initiatives, becoming a prominent and influential figure in the White House.

After Barack was elected the 44th President of the United States, Michelle faced intense public scrutiny and criticism, particularly around her appearance and demeanor.

Upon assuming the role of First Lady, Michelle Obama learned to navigate the sharp contradictions of her role. Everyday aspects of her life, such as her speeches, her appearance, and even her facial expressions, became subjects of daily scrutiny. Advised by her close friend Valerie Jarrett, Michelle worked on softening her public image to avoid the misinterpretation of her words and expressions after receiving harsh feedback about her presentation and demeanor. During the campaign, Obama was called to a meeting where she was advised that her delivery might seem harsh and severe. Following these criticisms, which included being labeled militant and lacking in class, Michelle acknowledged the need for additional training and support to refine her public interactions.

Despite the conservative commentators who criticized her weight in the context of her nutrition programs and the pushback she received for wearing expensive sneakers to a food bank during the Great Recession, Michelle was determined to focus on the community. She also became known as the "Closer" due to her effective role in converting Barack's fans into supporters and voters.

As First Lady, Michelle launched several high-profile initiatives focused on issues like childhood obesity, veterans' affairs, and girls' education.

Michelle's dedication to serving the community manifested in several key actions and initiatives. One of her first moves as First Lady was to establish a White House vegetable garden to foster dialogue on children's health and food quality. This step paved the way for the Let's Move initiative, which she launched alongside White House chef Sam Kass to address rising food costs, lack of access to healthy food options, and confusing food labels by promoting physical activity and better nutrition.

In collaboration with Dr. Jill Biden, Michelle founded the Joining Forces program, which helped secure employment and professional licenses for military spouses and veterans. Deeply affected by the violence against children, she introduced Reach Higher and Let Girls Learn. Reach Higher promoted higher education, while Let Girls Learn aimed to break down global educational barriers for girls facing issues such as poverty and healthcare gaps.

Michelle's eff ...

Michelle Obama has continued to hold a prominent public position even after her time as the First Lady. She has been using her influential platform to support critical causes including education, voting rights, and the empowerment of women and girls.

Since leaving the White House, Michelle has continued to be a prominent public figure, using her platform to advocate for education, voting rights, and the empowerment of women and girls.

Among the significant initiatives that Michelle has spearheaded is the Girls Opportunity Alliance. This initiative strives to encourage girls to pursue their education and step into leadership roles, ensuring that girls, especially in underserved communities, have the resources and support they need to succeed. Recognizing the fundamental importance of civic engagement, in 2018, she founded When We All Vote—a non-partisan organization with a mission to increase participation in each and every election by helping to close the race and age voting gap and change the culture around voting in America.

Michelle's memoir, "Becoming," has become a best-seller and has further cemented her status as an inspirational figure and role model for people around the world.

Michelle's work since vacating the White House not only includes her advocacy and organizational efforts but also encompasses her journey as an author. Her memoir, "Becoming," reflects on her life experiences, sharing her personal growth and the insights she's gained along the way. The memoir's widespread success has made it a best-seller, and it serves as another channel t ...