100 days into her husband’s presidency, first lady Michelle Obama is enjoying America’s ever-soaring respect. Her popularity even goes beyond that of her husband, Barack Obama, at this moment one of the most best-loved American presidents of all time.
A USATODAY/Gallup Poll taken a couple weeks ago showed that 79% approve of the way Michelle Obama is handling her job – 14% higher than her husband’s approval rate. Only 8% disapprove.
So what is it that fuels this African American first lady’s popularity? Voters cited her devotion to her family and the two children – Malia and Sasha. Her commitment to family life is indeed admirable. Even during the elections, Michelle made sure not to leave the house for more than one night so she could care for her daughters. And of course, the couple’s sturdy love deserves to be envied by all.
But there certainly seems to be more to the equation.
Her middle-class upbringing from which she developed hard work, independence, and integrity served as the starting point of her success. After graduating from Princeton, then from Harvard Law School with high academic records, she took on multiple careers ranging from lawyer, to assistant commissioner at City Hall,to founder of Public Allies in Chicago, to vice president at the University ofChicago Medical Center. All this on top of her job as a wife and a mother truly distinguishes her as a role model, the ideal career-woman of our time.
Michelle’s J. Crew outfits have also gained her a fair share of popularity. With her relatively inexpensive attire from a mainstream manufacturer rather than from designer brands, she is rising as a fashion leader as well. More importantly though, her behind-the-scenes community outreach efforts have touched many hearts of those in need.
At the beginning of April, Michelle Obama attracted worldwide attention at the G20 Summit in London. Most notably, she visited the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Language School, a middle/high school of about 1,000 girls. Ethnic minorities comprise 90% of the student body, two-thirds of whom speak English as a second language. 55 different languages can be heard in the school.
After watching the girls showcase their immense talent through Shakespeare, modern dance, and public speaking, Obama was moved to the verge of tears. “All of you are jewels,” she said, choking with emotion. “You are precious and you touch my heart.”
She further spoke to them about her own experiences, saying that she never dreamt of reaching her current status – and that she never would have without her parents’ love and excellent education. She urged the girls to work hard and take advantage of their education, so they could eventually grow as world leaders. “It is important for the world to know that there are wonderful girls like you all over the world. Communities are ultimately only as strong as the health of their women.”
Such heartfelt encouragement from the first lady of the United States – the first from a minority ethnic group – gave the girls hope that they, too, could transcend racial and gender barriers and emerge as strong, essential women. A message to young ladies around the globe from an extraordinary public worker, wife and mom, and mentor, Michelle Obama: “You,too, can control your own destiny—please remember that.”