Michelle Obama born in Chicago
Michelle Lavaughn Robinson is born in Chicago, Illinois to Fraser Robinson III and Marian Shields Robinson. Michelle is the second child to brother, Craig Robinson.
Her early education includes Bryn Mawr Elementary School and Whitney Young Magnet High School. As a high school student, Michelle is the Student Council Treasurer and a member of the National Honor Society. Her father dies of multiple sclerosis in 1990, leaving her mom to raise her and her brother in their South Side home.
Graduates from Princeton
Obama graduates from Princeton with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a minor in African-American Studies. During her time at Princeton, she is a member of the Third World Center and Organization of Black Unity. She graduates with cum laude honors. About her freshman year she says,
Neither of my parents graduated from college, so when I got to campus as a freshman, I’ll admit I was a little overwhelmed. I didn’t know how to choose my classes, or find the right classrooms. I didn’t know how to furnish my own dorm room.
Robinson, Obama marry
After three years of dating Barack Obama marries Michelle Robinson at Trinity United Church in Chicago, Illinois. At the wedding, their first dance is to Stevie Wonder’s You and I. Michelle says that in Barack’s vows, he promises her a life that will be interesting. At the time she is 28 and he is 31.
People cover
The Obamas appear on the cover of People giving a view into their hectic home life. Michelle on whether she envisioned her husband running for president:
Whooo-boy! No. To me, life was you get married, you have kids, you buy a home. I thought Barack would be a partner at a law firm or maybe teach or work in the community. We’d watch our kids go to college and go to their weddings and take care of the grandkids and that was it.
O Magazine Cover
Obama speaks about living in The White House:
And it’s a beautiful home. When you go out and come back, especially at night, with all the white lights on—it’s just beautiful. We feel privileged, and we feel a responsibility to make it feel like the people’s house. We have the good fortune of being able to sleep here, but this house belongs to America.
O Magazine interview
First Lady Michelle Obama gives an interview to Oprah for O Magazine about her first week in the White House.
Well, we still had family here, so it was almost like a wedding. A huge, very complicated wedding. The last visitors didn’t leave until Sunday. And then the first Monday was kind of weird. You know: Now we live here, and Barack is getting up and going to work, and it’s just us. This is our home now. But the kids didn’t act any differently.
Essence cover
Obama and her mother, Marian Shields Robinson, appear on the cover of Essence magazine. Obama discusses style and remaining true to yourself.
Evolution Of Mom Dancing
In support of Michelle Obama Let’s Move campaign, and to encourage parents everywhere to get up and get moving with their kids, Fallon and Obama
Vogue cover
Obama appears on the cover of the April 2013 issue of Vogue in her own dress.
I always say that women should wear whatever makes them feel good about themselves. That’s what I always try to do … I also believe that if you’re comfortable in your clothes it’s easy to connect with people and make them feel comfortable as well. In every interaction that I have with people, I always want to show them my most authentic self.
Michelle Obama interview
Seacrest interviews Michelle Obama during On Air With Ryan Seacrest and questions her about her Valentines Day plans.
He [President Obama] celebrated me so well—he did a great job. I had a great couple of weeks, so I think we’re going to low-key it for Valentine’s Day. It feels like we just finished celebrating my birthday so I think we are going to low-key it.
Michelle Obama Interview
Fallon talks to the First Lady about two major White House initiatives: Let’s Move and the Affordable Care Act.
What we’re asking people to do is show us how you’re moving. We want people to Facebook it, Tweet it, Instagram it.
Ew! skit: Ferrell and Michelle Obama
Fallon, Will Ferrell and Michelle Obama perform in a Ew! skit in which Obama teaches Sara(Fallon) and Stacy(Ferrell) that being active and eating right isn’t ew.
Speak out against racism
Obama encourages students to speak out against racism in a high school ‘senior recognition day” speech in Kansas. She tells students to monitor when racial comments are heard, especially in their household. When a comment is heard, she encourages students to challenge that person. She notes that there are limitations to the law when dealing with racism, so it is up to individuals to make a change. She informs them that segregation is occurring in some areas, and gives several ideas on how students can support diversity for the future.
But no matter what you do, the point is to never be afraid to talk about these issues, particularly the issue of race.
Responds to school lunch critics
0 CommentsAt a donor fundraiser, Obama responds to Republicans who challenge her efforts to create national mandates for school lunches. She comments that her national lunch standards are drafted by experts using science, so the controversy over it is misplaced. She claims that Republicans in Congress have been attempting to block her efforts to fight child obesity, and that they will continue to criticize her campaign. However she will continue, and states that tax payer money should not be spent on feeding children unhealthy meals.
As parents there is nothing we wouldn’t do for our kids-nothing.
Democratic fundraiser
0 CommentsAttends fundraiser in Boston for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Michelle talks about the importance of Democratic voter turn out in order to “retake the house” in 2014 midterm elections. She also highlights accomplishments of the Obama Administration to include improvements in clean energy, healthcare and the termination of Osama Bin Laden. Michelle says that despite these accomplishments, if Democrats lose the midterm elections, it will be a setback for the progress made by the Obama Administration.
Maya Angelou funeral
Obama speaks at Maya Angelou’s private memorial service. In her speech, she mentions how Angelou taught women self-worth and was an inspiration in her own life.
That was the power of Maya Angelou’s words, words so powerful they carried a little black girl from the south side of Chicago all the way to the White House.
Announces winning recipes
0 CommentsObama, Epicurious and the Departments of Education and Agriculture announce the winners of the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge. Of the 1,500 entries, a recipe was chosen in each U.S. state, District of Columbia and three territories. The winning children were chosen by a panel of judges, who had to adhere to USDA’s MyPlate guidelines. Winners will lunch with Obama and visit the White House Kitchen Garden. All winning recipes are available to the public for free. Some of the winning recipes include:
DC: Healthy Grains, Squash, Apples, Sausage and Kale
Florida: Fish Cartucho Al Gabusho
Puerto Rico: Salmon and Salad Island Deluxe
Receives plea for kidnapped boys
0 CommentsObama receives a request to aid in a “Bring Back Our Boys’ campaign. Aliza Lavie, Knesser Committee For The Advancement of The Status Of Women, creates a video to Obama concerning three Israeli boys abducted during a terrorist attack. The campaign for their return has support in Israel and various countries, but now Aliza turns to America.
Supports immigration reform
0 CommentsMichelle attends a naturalization ceremony to show her dedication to improving immigration laws. She believes the immigration system is broken and supports a liberal immigration policy. In her speech to new citizens, she says that immigration is a top legislative priority for the president. She also tells stories of the contributions of various immigrants in the U.S. and notes that a good number are business owners or in the military. Michelle mentions that most Americans can trace their ancestry to an immigrant and defends,
As citizens we do not shut the doors of opportunity behind us. We preserve the opportunity of America.
Essence Cover
Obama appears on the cover of Essence to discuss her passion for higher learning.
I know I tell my kids all the time that they shouldn’t shy away from difficult things, because that is the point at which you are really growing. It’s not just about grades or test scores. Today our kids may shy away from applying to college if they think they don’t have the right grade or test score. But the truth is that the kids who succeed and go on to be successful professionals are the ones who know how to work hard.