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Gone are the days when women were associated with being fragile and weak. Over the years, women have rightfully acquired the reputation of being strong and empowered. As a matter of fact, some of today’s most brilliant minds and greatest leaders are females. True enough, one of those whose voices and efforts have made a significant impact on others’ lives is Michelle Obama, an American attorney and author who served as the First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017.
Proving to be more than the United States’ first-ever African American first lady, Michelle Obama has gone the extra mile by fighting for her advocacies with all her might. Immensely fueled by the desire to change the country for the better, she has initiated health campaigns and other platforms geared towards the preservation of human and civil rights. On top of that, she has also gained recognition for being a source of encouragement and inspiration for girls around the world.
Born on January 17, 1964, in Chicago, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama grew up in a conventional family where her father worked, and her mother stayed at home to raise the children. Unfortunately, her father’s health plummeted, and he died from complications of multiple sclerosis. According to her, her father’s struggle became the driving force behind her endeavors, and it motivated her to reach her full potential.
In 1985, Michelle Obama graduated cum laude from Princeton University and earned a degree from Harvard Law School in 1988. She then worked at a Chicago law firm, where she met her husband, Barack Obama. The couple tied the knot on October 3, 1992.
Although Michelle Obama took on different roles because of her diverse career, she considers being a mother the most important one of all. She has also been her husband’s pillar during his political career, from his 2000 run for Senate to his run for a second presidential term in 2012. Indeed, this multifaceted figure is the epitome of a strong and empowered woman.
In her memoir, “Becoming,” which is one of today’s most popular books, Michelle Obama gives readers a glimpse of her world by navigating them through the experiences and journeys that shaped her and molded her into the woman she is today. From her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive trying to strike a balance between motherhood and work, she talked about her many adventures.
Through her memoir, Michelle Obama talked about her triumphs and disappointments and told her full story with unerring honesty and lively wit. Indeed, “Becoming” is the embodiment of a deep and personal reckoning of a woman filled with so much soul and substance. By being unapologetically herself and embracing her greatness, she has transcended expectations and hopes to inspire others to be just as dauntless in the face of their endeavors.
As can be gleaned from her advocacies and achievements, Michelle Obama is a force to be reckoned with. Determined to be one of the faces of women empowerment, she has shown strength against racism and sexism. With the legacy she has left, she hopes to inspire girls from all walks of life.
References:
Los Angeles Sentinel
Official Website of “Becoming”
Photo from unsplash.com
