Michelle Obama

Condensed Infos to Michelle ObamaMichelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama: A Journey from Slavery to the White House Imagine a journey that spans centuries, from the shadows of slavery to the bright lights of the White House. This is the story of Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama, an American attorney and author who served as the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. Born in Chicago on January 17, 1964, Michelle’s roots trace back to pre-Civil War African Americans, with her paternal great-great-grandfather Jim Robinson born into slavery in 1850.

Michelle’s maternal ancestors include Melvinia Dosey Shields, who was sold from South Carolina to Henry Walls Shields. Her paternal family includes the Gullah people of South Carolina’s Lowcountry region and her great-great-grandfather Jim Robinson, who became a freedman at age 15 after the war.

Michelle’s early life in Chicago was marked by a ‘conventional’ home with ‘the mother at home, the father works, you have dinner around the table.’ Her father suffered from multiple sclerosis, which had a profound effect on her. Despite these challenges, Michelle excelled academically and was inspired to follow her brother to Princeton University.

At Princeton, Michelle became involved with the Third World Center, running their daycare center and challenging teaching methodology for French. She wrote a sociology thesis researching how black alumni felt about their racial identity. Her journey continued at Harvard Law School where she earned her J.D. degree in 1988, becoming the third first lady to hold a postgraduate degree.

Michelle met Barack Obama at their law firm, Sidley Austin LLP, where she was assigned to mentor him as a summer associate. Their first date was Spike Lee’s movie Do the Right Thing (1989). They married in 1992 and struggled with balancing work and family life. After suffering a miscarriage, Michelle underwent IVF to conceive their daughters Malia and Sasha.

Michelle Obama encouraged attendees at the 49th African Methodist Episcopal Church general conference to advocate for political awareness, emphasizing that moral issues are about human dignity and potential. Following law school, she worked in various public sector positions before becoming executive director of Public Allies. She served as associate dean of student services at the University of Chicago and later became vice president for community and external affairs at the hospital.

Michelle’s mother was a stay-at-home mom, and her father died from complications from his illness in 1991. These losses motivated her to think about her contributions to society. Michelle Obama reduced her professional responsibilities by 80 percent to support Barack’s presidential campaign in May 2007.

As First Lady, Michelle Obama visited homeless shelters and soup kitchens, sent representatives to schools, and advocated public service. She promoted bills supporting her husband’s policy priorities and hosted a reception for women’s rights advocates. Her favorability ratings remained higher than Ann Romney’s throughout the campaign.

Mrs. Obama aimed to humanize her husband by relating stories about him, attempting to appeal to female voters in swing states. Despite her efforts, comparisons between her and Romney were repeatedly made by the media until the election. Michelle Obama visited all US Cabinet-level agencies to familiarize herself with Washington.

Initiatives and Advocacy

Mrs. Obama launched ‘Let’s Move!’ in 2010 to combat childhood obesity, with Michelle saying it was a goal for her legacy. The initiative received criticism from some Republicans but promoted healthy eating through books like American Grown. She also supported LGBT rights, including full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and same-sex marriage in 2012.

Michelle Obama traveled extensively with her family, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, visiting Selma, Alabama, Coachella Valley, and San Bernardino after a terrorist attack. She met Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace and praised her, although it was seen as out of protocol.

She also visited Mexico, Africa, and China with her family, including meeting Peng Liyuan, the wife of Chinese president Xi Jinping. Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said the visit and intent in Obama journeying there were to symbolize ‘the relationship between the United States and China is not just between leaders, it’s a relationship between peoples.’

Post-White House

In January 2015, Michelle Obama traveled to Saudi Arabia alongside her husband, following the death of King Abdullah. She received criticism for not covering her head in a nation where women are forbidden from publicly not doing so.

In June 2015, she undertook a weeklong trip to London and three Italian cities. In November, she spent a week in Qatar, advancing her initiative for international education for women by speaking at the 2015 World Innovation Summit for Education.

In March 2016, Michelle Obama accompanied her husband and children to Cuba in a trip seen as having positively impacted relations between the country and America. She campaigned for Democratic candidates in the 2010 midterm elections, making her debut on the campaign trail in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Public Image and Influence

Mrs. Obama’s public opinion poll results showed her as the only Democrat who could defeat Trump in a confrontation, with 50% of votes for Obama and 39% for Trump. She delivered an ‘electrifying’ speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and introduced her husband, former president Barack Obama.

Mrs. Obama’s memoir ‘Becoming’ sold over 11 million copies by November 2019. In April 2018, she responded to speculation that she might be running for president by saying she has ‘never had the passion for politics.’ On January 2, 2021, Michelle Obama encouraged Georgia residents to vote in the state’s runoff in the U.S. Senate election.

On January 20, 2021, Michelle and her husband attended the inauguration of Joe Biden. In November 2023, she was named to the BBC’s 100 Women list. Michelle Obama’s public opinion poll results showed her as the only Democrat who could defeat Trump in a confrontation, with 50% of votes for Obama and 39% for Trump.

Mrs. Obama delivered an ‘electrifying’ speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention and introduced her husband, former president Barack Obama. Her memoir ‘Becoming’ sold over 11 million copies by November 2019. In April 2023, she joined Bruce Springsteen on stage during his show in Barcelona.

Michelle Obama’s journey from slavery to the White House is a testament to resilience and determination. She has inspired millions with her work, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to making a difference. Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama’s legacy will continue to resonate for generations to come.