February 13, 2017

Empowering Women - Michelle Obama



Every month I am highlighting an empowering woman. This month it is:


Michelle Obama


NOTE: If you don’t like the Obamas then please skip this post. This is supposed to be a positive post, so I won’t allow negative comments.

Now I can’t talk about empowering women without highlighting our first African American First Lady. Before being First Lady, she was a lawyer, mother, and wife. She actually mentored President Barrack Obama while he was a summer associate at the firm where she worked.

I’ve adored Michelle Obama since her First Lady portrait came out and she was wearing a modern and sophisticated sleeveless dress. She received criticism for that, but if a powerful woman can’t show her strong arms in this day and age then no one should. *wink* Michelle brought new life into the White House.

One of her missions as First Lady was to get children and families active and eating healthy. In 2012, she launched Let’s Move! to address childhood obesity. She welcomed students to the White House Garden to teach them about gardening and the importance of eating healthy. Those students were able to return to see the fruits and vegetables that they planted. They also got to help cook a meal with their crops.

Michelle is a fit woman, too. I remember reading once that she would wake up at 5:00 AM to get a work out in. She’s participated publicly in National Dancing Day and even danced on stage with So You Think You Can Dance All-Stars. She’s not afraid to bust a move.

She also launched the Reach Higher Initiative to inspire young people to “take charge of their fitness.” She’s also behind Let Girls Learn with the goal of helping girls around the world “go to school and stay in school,” which is a problem when boys are more valued and families can’t afford to pay for a girl’s education, or they chose not to. Joining Forces is another initiative she’s aided in launching, which supports service members, veterans, and their families through wellness, education, and employment opportunities.

In 2016, she participated in the Democratic National Convention and everyone raved about her speech.

“This is the story of this country, the story that had brought me to this stage tonight, the story of generations of people who felt the lash of bondage, the shame of servitude, the sting of segregation, but who kept on striving and hoping and doing what needed to be done so that today I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves. And I watch my daughters—two beautiful, intelligent, black young women—playing with their dogs on the White House lawn.”

Michelle Obama is an empowering and inspiring woman.


QUESTIONS: Have you ever watched So You Think You Can Dance? If you're a woman, would you show off your amazing arms in an official portrait? If I had them, I would! ;)


Inspiring Song



58 comments:

  1. I spoke at a conference where she was to be the key speaker, but last minute she wasn't able to make it.

    Any positive impact on child obesity is good. When I was a child, almost no kid was fat. Today, I'm shocked by how many are overweight.

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    1. Darn. That would've been neat if she had been able to attend.

      I agree. I remember only a couple of overweight kids when I was in elementary school.

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  2. Most interesting Chrys, I was a skinny kid it wasn't until I stopped having my children that some weight stayed on.
    Have a lovely week.

    Yvonne,

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  3. Teaching kids to eat healthy instead of the constant focus on weight is a smart move. And let's give them some more activity in the school day.

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    1. Yes, kids need to be more active. Especially nowadays when they're plugged into so many devices.

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  4. I love going sleeveless, and I don't have her arms. I wouldn't do it for a portrait, though. But she can pull it off. She definitely displays grace and class.

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    1. As long as my dress looked classy and I was comfortable, I would. :)

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  5. Getting kids to eat well and move more sure is a win, so many don't indeed. She sure is one who practices what she preaches too.

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    1. That's what's so great about her. She does what she fights for.

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  6. I darn near worship Michelle Obama. Thanks for writing about her. If I had those arms, you'd better believe I'd show them off.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. She is a wonderful woman worthy of worship. :)

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  7. I loved our last First Family, and miss them so much! Mrs. Obama is such a class act and inspiration to everyone. She had so many wonderful initiatives, and always looks so good in whatever she wears. I personally don't wear sleeveless dresses very often because of the modesty rules I follow, but she looked awesome in that photograph.

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    1. The Obamas were a lively First Family. They felt like everyone's family. :)

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  8. I love the Obamas, they were classy and classic. Michelle Obama was one of the best First Ladies since Jackie Kennedy. I sure hope you continue to feature women of inspiration who have made an impact (and hopefully not those who come from backgrounds of privilege). Bare arms which are fit, are lovely, and they require work to maintain - why not show them off?

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    1. I agree, DG.

      I'm not sure what you mean by privileged, but they are celebrities or known.

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    2. Hi Chrys - I read privelege ... as coming from wealth - and thus not needing to work per se ... it's great seeing what women can achieve - my comment is below - Hilary

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  9. Hopefully she continues. If they don't learn good health as kids, it's really hard to learn as an adult.

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  10. Thanks for this post. Yes, she is a great role model for good health and the Obama's are great role models for families and for how to handle criticism with grace. They will be missed from the White House, but I hope they will continued to be a major presence in America.

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    1. Well said. I think they will continue to be a presence here and all over the world.

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  11. Great post! Michelle Obama was a fantastic First Lady. I hope she continues to do great things for the country and the world.

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  12. If I had arms like hers, you betcha! She was a wonderful first lady. I also love what a loving couple they are.

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    1. They were an amazing couple. I wish I had that.

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  13. A lovely tribute to Mrs. Obama, Chrys. She is a fabulous example for women and girls. I admire her very much.

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  14. Great choice for your empowering women series! I thought she was a great first lady.

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  15. Great post! I loved Mrs. Obama. She was a class act through and through. I loved her message of positivity and empowering girls and all young people.

    To answer your questions, no I've not watched So You Think You Can Dance. I'm not into those type of shows. And I'm not a fan of taking pictures in general.

    Great post

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    1. I haven't watched So You Think You Can Dance for years. I used to really enjoy it.

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  16. She's legendary. She's one of a kind. An inspiration to many especially to little girls. The world became better when she was first lady. I love her.

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    1. The world did become better with her as First Lady. I totally agree.

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  17. Wonderful tribute to a brilliant woman known not only for her strength of mind but her strength as a human being. She is someone I greatly respect and she has some sass and a lot of class! If I had arms like her instead of arms like floppy discs. I would show them off and loved it when she did!

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    1. She is so strong. So kind. So funny. She is really an all-around fabulous woman.

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  18. Thanks for sharing the information about here. It was so inspiring when i read about her:)

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  19. Hi Chrys - they embody what we all aspire to ... loving, compassionate, always setting examples, effortlessly just being and always inspiring and promoting education and health ... wonderful tribute - thank you ... cheers Hilary

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  20. Working with children on eating right, exercise, and self-image is so important. Great post, Chrys.

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  21. Michelle is an excellent choice for this feature. What class. What young girl would not want to emulate her. Thanks for sharing. She made a difference. I hope we hear more about her.

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    1. She is setting a wonderful example for all young girls. :) I hope so, too.

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  22. Fabulous post, Chrys. I have been a fan of fitness for many years and believe we function better when we keep physically fit.
    sherry @ fundinmental My TT

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    1. Fitness has so many benefits, including with out moods.

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  23. Michelle looks great in that dress. Why the fuss? She's a class act all the way.

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    1. Exactly! As long as she looks great and classy, no need to fuss over a dress being sleeveless.

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  24. Awww, I just wrote a long comment that did not post. So, I'll begin again. Michelle is an amazing woman both physically, spiritually. I adore her! Yes to the portrait with the sleeveless dress! I notice the genuine love between her and Barack Obama and it's not something we often see in Presidents' past or present. She will continue as a strong role model and an inspiration for women. Thanks for this wonderful tribute, Chrys!

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    1. I'm sorry there was a glitch with your first comment. I hate when that happens to me. :(

      Their love is something to marvel at. And fitting that we are talking about it on Valentine's Day. :)

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  25. I'm a great fan. I've alluded to her achievements in some posts, but I enjoyed reading an account here, Chrys. In the face of the demands of the White House, it's amazing that this couple continued to be the loving family that arrived after Obama's stunning win. And that would not have been easy. What a lot of hoo-ha about showing your arms. Shame on the critics. And I'm pleased she kept on showing off her gym-toned guns. Good for her! What a gracious couple to have graced the White House. Strong woman, indeed. :-)

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    1. When I watched Barack's goodbye speech, I was in awe of how close they were after those tough 8 years in the White House. And I loved it how he kept his daughter close by. I saw how truly loving they are as a family. It was great seeing a family like that in the White House. :)

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  26. I might be a Brit but I was a great advocate of the Obamas. Michelle was classy in a down-to-earth way and was always a great inspiration. I was just sorry to be only in the US for the last few months of the exemplary couple's time in the White House. I feel sure that Michelle will keep inspiring kids and women, worldwide.

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  27. In this day and age, learning how to eat healthy is so critical. I'm still learning about it, and I'm an adult who's reasonably smart. Most kids don't know about things like high fructose corn syrup. They don't know that most companies put sugar in literally everything, even salty foods. Michelle Obama's been a great role model in that regard, spreading healthy eating awareness. Viva la strong arms!

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    1. It's a cause that needs more awareness for everyone.

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  28. I love Michelle and miss her! Enjoyed this post, Chrys.

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