Michelle Obama: Carving Her Place in History PDF Print E-mail
By Letisha Bush -- Black College Wire   

Fresh -faced and with two beautiful black children in tow, on Nov. 4 Michelle Obama walked onto the stage beaming with pride, and embraced her husband as well as the title of future first black lady of the United States of America. In a single instant, the spirits of black women were revived.

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The Famuan
Letisha Bush
Born on the south side of Chicago, Michelle Obama was raised in a two-parent home filled with love, discipline and encouragement. During her speech at the Democratic Convention she said, "My mother and father poured everything they had into me and Craig…so I know firsthand from their lives - and mine - that the American dream endures."

And now, as many watch history unfold, we too can believe that the American dream not only endures, but is actually attainable for all races and both sexes.

The media had their share of stereotyping our future first lady before Obama secured the presidency

As Michelle Obama became a media target, she was portrayed as too strong, and too black -- if there is such a thing. But she kept her integrity in tact and set an example of grace under fire.

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Wikipedia: Wikimedia Commons
Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama's influence goes beyond the White House directly into the lives of blacks all over the world. Her poise and ability to articulate ideas with passion, gives us hope and encourages blacks that our intelligence and self-confidence can take us to the highest office.

But she didn't achieve her status by just marrying a potential president 16 years ago. In fact, she was well on her way to carving her place in history. Serving as the University of Chicago Medical Center's vice president of community affairs. Michelle successfully blocked researchers from approaching local Chicago schools about enlisting young black teenage girls as research subjects.

She also implemented programs ranging from staff diversity to neighborhood outreach when she was at the University of Chicago. In May of 2006, she was featured in Essence magazine as one of "25 of the World's Most Inspiring Women."

Then in September 2007, Michelle was ranked as 58 in "The Harvard 100," a list of the most influential alumni for the year.

Michelle Obama serves as inspiration of what we can achieve as a supportive wife, a loving mother and potentially one of the most influential women in our country.

Our work is not done. Michelle Obama has knocked down the door of stereotypes and limits. It is our responsibility to bring out our best. The spotlight is on us, ladies. We finally have it…let's show the world what we are really made of.

Letisha Bush writes for The Famuan, the Florida A&M University student newspaper, which originally published this article.
Posted Dec. 14, 2008
 
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