Michelle Obama: The Woman Who Could by Irem UNAL

Not a lot of people can be stylish and respectable at the same time. Many people can try, but eventually, harsh tabloids and false media begin to catch up to them and bring down their attempts. Usually, celebrities are the ones who get the harshest and toughest criticism because they are always being targeted so the first mistake they make is immediately spread throughout the country… but who says our First Lady isn’t a celebrity? Out of all people, Michelle Obama has, so far, successfully accomplished the difficult task of being out and about while still holding a high reputation throughout America’s news, magazines, and papers. She lives every day with not only the country’s, but also the world’s eyes on her, and she’s pulling it off gracefully. So if there is one woman who can be the President’s wife, a mother of two, a world renowned leader, sway a country’s heart, and set fashion trends while doing it, that would be Michelle Obama.

Michelle LaVaughn Robinson grew up with a well-rounded family of four. Her father, Frasier Robinson, her mother, Marian Robinson, and her older brother Craig who was only sixteen months apart from her which is why they were commonly mistaken for twins. Michelle’s father was a city pump operator and also a Democratic district captain. Her mother first worked as a secretary, but later stayed home to raise the kids. The kids were raised with an emphasis on education and both of them learned to read by the age of four. They later skipped second grade and Michelle was taking gifted classes by sixth grade in which she was taking accelerated courses and learned French. She later attended the city’s first magnet high school for gifted children and became the student government treasurer there. Coming from a family that valued education and stressed its importance more than other things was mainly why both kids grew up so thorough in academics.  Craig quoted that “when it came to going to schools, we all wanted to go to the best schools we could.” (Biography.com)


After successfully completing high school, Michelle went to Princeton University where she majored in sociology and graduated with cum laude honors, which meant that she was graduating with a high level of academic distinction, in 1985. After graduating from Princeton, she went on to attend Harvard where she later got her law degree in 1988. (Firstladies.org)

After a strong boost from her major, degree, and graduation, Michelle became an associate for the Chicago branch of the law firm Sidley Austin where met her husband-to-be, Barack Obama, in 1989. When they were first “hooked up,” she thought it was lame and tacky, and that it would be improper for them to be going out. They soon fell in love and got married on October 18, 1992.


After marriage, she took on many jobs and was part of organization action. Included in these jobs was assistant commissioner of planning and development for the City of Chicago, Executive Director for the Chicago office of Public Allies, dean of student services for the University of Chicago, VP of community relations and external affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center, and Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. She was first noticed by the public in 2004 during her husband’s speech at the Democratic National Convention. The couple had their two daughters Malia and Natasha in 1999 and 2001. Along with her career and family accomplishments, Michelle also had her miscellaneous recognitions. In 2006, Essence magazine featured her as one of “25 of the World’s Most Inspiring Women.” Then in 2007, 02138 magazine made her number 58 in “The Harvard 100.” She was also recognized for her fashion abilities two years in a row in Vanity Fair’s best-dressed list, as well as People Magazine’s 2008 best-dressed list, and continues to be idolized for her unique sense of style. (Biography.com)

Today, at age 45, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama lives in the White House with her new family of four. Barack, Michelle, Malia, and Natasha are quickly adjusting to the fame, power, and changes that have been made for their family. While doing all this, Michelle juggles kids and their needs on one hand while balancing media, “First Lady Things”, and a respectable reputation on the other. She is one of the few powerful and influential women in America, which makes her so rare and valued. She has her ways in swaying the heart of the country. She has her ways by looking good (fashion), behaving well (media), and talking smart (representation). As many have noticed, Michelle has brought her love for fashion to D.C. She has been featured in many magazines and has appeared in many shows on T.V. and is wearing something cute! According to Michelle, she is a big J. Crew shopper and J. Crew has even come out with an entire collection only for the Obama girls. (Metmuseum.com)


With the way she carries herself fashion wise, she also has a very strong leadership side. She has had meetings with many world leaders including the Queen of England and continues to represent America impressively. Through her image, words, and actions Michelle Obama has recently been compared to Jacqueline Kennedy for having the same confidence and flow of style. This is a very true statement about how two, even one, woman can revolutionize and bring up a new era of women in America. Michelle is being highly recognized, idolized by media, and internationally adored. (Cnn.com)

“You can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.” (Quotesandpoem.com) This is what the current First Lady of America, Michelle Obama, said. She impresses us with her words, elegance, and “out there” style. The country has never come across a woman who carries herself so well in the presence of all tough challenges of being the President’s wife.  But if there is one woman who can be the President’s wife, a mother of two, a world renowned leader, sway a country’s heart, and set fashion trends while doing it, Michelle Obama would be the one… and is the one.

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