MICHELLE OBAMA

“If my future were determined just by my performance on a standardized test, I

wouldn't be here. I guarantee you that.”

INTRODUCTION –

First Lady Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is a lawyer, writer, and the wife of the former
US President, Barack Obama. She is the first African-American First Lady of the United
States. Through her initiatives, she has become a role model for women and an advocate
for healthy families, service members and their families, higher education,
and international adolescent girls education.

FAMILY -

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.

EDUCATION-

A product of Chicago public schools, Michelle Robinson studied sociology and African-
American studies at Princeton University. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988,
she joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she later met Barack Obama.

CAREER -

After a few years, Michelle 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.
In 1996, Michelle joined the University of Chicago with a vision of bringing campus and
community together. As Associate Dean of Student Services, she developed the university's
first community service program, and under her leadership as Vice President of Community
and External Affairs for the University of Chicago Medical Center, volunteerism skyrocketed.

Career as a Lawyer and Public Servant

After graduating law school in 1988, Michelle worked as an associate in the Chicago branch of
the firm Sidley Austin in the area of marketing and intellectual property.

In 1991, she left corporate law to pursue a career in public service, working as an assistant to
Mayor Richard Daley and then as the assistant commissioner of planning and development for
the City of Chicago.

In 1993, Michelle became executive director for the Chicago office of Public Allies, a nonprofit
leadership-training program that helped young adults develop skills for future careers in the
public sector.

In 1996, Michelle joined the University of Chicago as associate dean of student services,
developing the school’s first community-service program. Beginning in 2002, she worked for the
University of Chicago Hospitals, as executive director of community relations and external
affairs.

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

CONTRIBUTIONS -

Michelle has continued her efforts to support and inspire young people during her time as First
Lady.
In 2010, she 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, Michelle 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, Michelle 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, Michelle 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,
Michelle 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 in US to
inspire them to commit to their own education.
 

SPEECH –

Final Speech as First Lady, January 13, 2017

On January 13, 2017, 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."

In an emotional moment, she addressed young Americans: ”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."

LEADERSHIP QUALITIES –

Self-respect and respect for others

It's very easy to forget to respect others, especially in our current political landscape. But without
recognizing and respecting the opinions of others, a leader isn't leading; they're dictating.
Similarly, without self-respect, giving respect to others is quite difficult. In everything Michelle
Obama has done, she has always held a high level of self-respect and respect for others, and
that's something all leaders should uphold.

Relatable to employees

In her recent speech, Michelle Obama talked about her personal life, her first date with her
husband, and her hopes for her daughters. Her personal story has resonated with women across
the US and empowered African American women to knock down stereotypes. Much of this
happened because she has been a continuously relatable figure.

She's not the first to convey personal anecdotes during speeches, obviously. In fact, it's
commonly seen in a First Lady's speech. But the takeaway is the same: a leader who is relatable
to his or her employees will connect easier with them, provide better feedback, and foster a more
effective personal relationship.

Effective communicator

Effective leaders not only speak confidently and clearly, but also with a sense of conviction that
will move who they are speaking to into action. Michelle Obama has continuously rallied women
across the country in areas like women's rights, voting, and finding balance between professions
and motherhood.

Effective communication is not just about being clear and persuasive. It's also about being open
and available. Without having an open door, employees will feel restricted in their own
conversations with you.

Honest and dedicated

Great leaders are honest about their policies and expectations and their areas of expertise and
downfalls. In particular, an important leadership skill is knowing when to admit you're wrong or
that you don't know. In fact, the best leaders not only don't know everything, but they don't claim
to. However, holding honesty and dedication to their work is what is most effective.

Michelle Obama has been honest and dedicated in many areas during her husband's presidency.
In particular, her dedication to solving childhood obesity and supporting military families has
been part of what makes her a great leader.

Inspiring and motivational

Take a look back on your life; who inspired you the most? Whether it's a teacher, co-worker, or
family member, they likely had at least this quality which made an impact on you. A leader who
is inspirational and motivational is a powerful leader. Similar to Michelle Obama seeming like
one of the rest of us, her personal story also evokes inspiration and motivation in women.

These leadership qualities can be seen in many influential figures today. But it's how you harness
these qualities for the betterment of your cause, business, or life that makes the lasting
difference.

CONCLUSION –

Michelle Obama always looks forward to continue her work on the issues close to her heart —
supporting military families, helping children lead healthier lives, and encouraging all young
people like us to fulfill our boundless promise.