Michelle Obama
Image source: http://traditionofexcellence.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/michelle-obama-white-house-portrait.jpg Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama was born January 17, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated in 1981 from Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in Chicago's West Loop as class salutatorian. After high school, she followed her brother to Princeton University, graduating cum laude in 1985 with a B.A. in Sociology. She went on to earn a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1988, where she took part in demonstrations demanding more minority students and professors.
After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988, she joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she later met the man who would become the love of her life, Barack Obama, a summer intern whom she was assigned as an adviser. "I went to Harvard and he went to Harvard, and the firm thought, 'Oh, we'll hook these two people up,'" Michelle said. "So, you know, there was a little intrigue, but I must say after about a month, Barack…asked me out, and I thought no way. This is completely tacky." Initially, she refused to date Obama, believing that their work relationship would make the romance improper. Eventually she relented, and the couple soon fell in love.
After two years of dating, Barack proposed. "We were at a restaurant having dinner to celebrate the fact that he had finished the bar," Michelle remembers. "Then the waiter came over with the dessert and a tray. And there was the ring. And I was completely shocked." The couple married at Trinity United Church of Christ on October 18, 1992.Michelle soon left her job to launch a career in public service, serving as an assistant to Mayor Daley and then as the assistant commissioner of planning and development for the City of Chicago.
In May of 2006, Michelle was featured in Essence magazine as one of "25 of the World's Most Inspiring Women." Then in September 2007, Michelle was listed in 02138 magazine as number 58 in "The Harvard 100," a list of the most influential alumni for the year. She has also made the Vanity Fair best-dressed list two years in a row, as well as People Magazine's 2008 best-dressed list. She's also been a cover girl for Ebony, a special collector's edition of Essence, and the April 09 issue of O, the Oprah Magazine (she became the first person to share the cover with Oprah since the magazine launched).
In 2007, she scaled back her own professional work to attend to family and campaign obligations during Barack's run for the Democratic presidential nomination. Michelle said she made a "commitment to be away overnight only once a week — to campaign only two days a week and be home by the end of the second day" for their two daughters, Malia (born 1999) and Natasha (2001).
It was reported that the Obama family has no nanny, and that the children are left with their grandmother, Marian, while their parents campaign. "I've never participated at this level in any of his campaigns," Michelle says. "I have usually chosen to just appear when necessary." Which leads me to...
The FLOTUS was also featured on The View on June 18, 2008.
You can also watch her interview with Katie Couric for Glamour magazine's women of the year issue:
On the campaign trail and beyond she became a style icon with her impeccable and classic taste.
If you're interested, there is a website that follows the fashion of Mrs. Obama and you can check it out here (I've already bookmarked it). The FLOTUS seems to gravitate towards lesser known designers from diverse backgrounds. Mrs. O, like Lady O, also has a special effect on the designers she chooses to support. She chose designer Jason Wu for her Inaugural ball gown and Naeem Khan for her state dinner dress. For example, Naeem Khan says of the first lady's choice to wear his gown for the state dinner last year:
“It’s the gift that doesn’t stop giving. My stuff is flying out of stores,” said Mr. Khan, clad in a black blazer and jeans, backstage. “I love it. My business is taking a big turn for the better. Even in an economy like this, glamorous things like these are selling in the stores. And for that I say, ‘Thank you Michelle Obama.’”
Image source: fashiontribes.typepad.com
As the 44th First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama has focused her attention on issues such as the support of military families, helping working women balance career and family, and encouraging national service. During the first year of the Obama presidency, Michelle and her husband have volunteered at homeless shelters and soup kitchens in the Washington, D.C. area. Michelle also has made appearances at public schools, stressing the importance of education and volunteer work.
Michelle has put efforts to fight childhood obesity near the top of her agenda.
"My first priority will always be to make sure that our girls are healthy and grounded," Michelle said. "Then I want to help other families get the support they need, not just to survive, but to thrive."
HUSL Today Salutes Michelle Obama!!!
Share your favorite Michelle Obama moments and fashion picks by leaving a comment.
Info source: Biography.com
No comments:
Post a Comment