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Michelle Obama continues to exhibit poise, style and leadership. Her dedication to education, community service, health care and family has offered inspiration to people around the world. Below are several of Mrs. Obama’s most encouraging words during her first six months as first lady. –amir shaw
On Working Together as a Nation:
“As history has shown again and again, when we come together as a nation, we can really get things done. We saw that in this past election. We’ve seen it time and time again. Service is how we get where we need to be.”
On Finding Success Despite Humble Beginnings:
“My parents didn’t have to be lawyers or doctors or college graduates to help me succeed. I didn’t need that from my parents. What mattered was their love. What mattered was their encouragement and unconditional support. That’s all that mattered. What mattered was that when I called home, they picked up the phone every time and told me every single second that they were proud of me, no matter what, and they reminded me over and over again that no matter what all those nagging voices said, that I deserved to be where I was.”
On Eating Healthy:
“It’s important for us to help our children understand that connection between what they eat and how they feel, and the fact that if they move their bodies and get their self going, they just have more energy to get through the day. That’s our job as the adults in their life.”
On the Lack of Healthy Food for Poor Families:
“But unfortunately, for too many families, limited access to healthy fruits and vegetables is often a barrier to a healthier diet. In so many of our communities, particularly in poorer and more isolated communities, fresh, healthy food is simply out of reach. With few grocery stores in their neighborhoods, residents are forced to rely on convenience stores, fast-food restaurants, liquor stores, drug stores and even gas stations for their groceries.”
On Believing in Yourself:
“And now that I look back, I realize that despite my confident exterior — because all you all have it, right; you’re confident, and I was, too — there was a part of me that started to believe the doubters. I started to believe people. They were getting into my head. There was a part of me that began to doubt my own abilities and to ignore my own truth; what I knew to be true about me. So, graduates, for those of you who may be doubting and questioning yourselves — maybe — now, you all may not be — you may be just ready to roll — but if you are, trust me, I know how you feel. There are a lot of us who know how you feel.”
On the Importance of Owning Your Voice:
“So here’s some advice. When you set foot on the soil of whatever campus that has admitted you, understand that you are responsible for your own experiences. So what I want you to do is own your voice. Own it. Don’t be intimidated by your new surroundings. Remember, everyone else is in the same position that you’re in. Be an engaged and active participant in all of your classes. Never, ever sit in silence, ever. That first day, raise your hand, use your voice, ask a question. Don’t be afraid to be wrong, don’t be afraid to sound unclear, because understand this is the only way you’ll learn. The only way your lecturers, your professors will know that they’re getting to you is for you to speak up. And get to know your professors. Know every single one of them. Introduce yourself. Attend their office hours. Ask them for follow-up questions. Be in their face. Make sure they know who you are. And ask them to clarify anything that you don’t understand. That’s their job.”
