by Mary Teresa Fowler

Created on: February 25, 2009

Michelle Obama Gets Her Turn

Who is Michelle Obama? Whoever Michelle Obama is, she will serve herself and the country best if she remains just that - Michelle Obama. She can't try to be America's vision of the perfect First Lady. Since the beginning of her husband's campaign, she has updated her look to meet society's expectations.

This action is more a comment on society's sad obsession with image than on Michelle Obama. But has Mrs. Obama changed her fundamental beliefs? What really drives Michelle Obama?

FAMILY

Michelle Obama has declared that she is "First Mom" as well as "First Lady." Barack and Michelle Obama were married on October 18, 1992. Their first daughter, Malia, was born in 1999. Sasha(Natasha) was born in 2001.

Michelle Obama has a reputation for keeping her family as her top priority, She stayed with the girls in Chicago while her husband was in the Senate. She did not want to disrupt their lives.

Her family life has now, however, taken an irreversible turn. Mrs.Obama has spoken about her strong belief in her husband's dream for America. She has obviously decided that this dream out trumps any disruption in family life.

A better America will make a better America for everyone - including Michelle Obama's children and grandchildren. Having parents who are hoping to affect that change has to be seen as a positive influence for the Obama girls..

NEIGHBORHOOD

The value of neighborhood has been ingrained into Michelle Obama since her birth on January 17, 1964. From their one bedroom apartment on the South Shore of Chicago, her parents, Marion and Fraser Robinson, stressed the importance of community.

That background no doubt influenced her decision to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology - a minor in African American Studies at Princeton University. She then went on to graduate from Harvard Law School. Michelle Obama's career, however, has been more about the community than the courts. There was her initial career move at the law firm of Sidley Austin.

What followed, however, was her role in Public Allies Chicago and establishing the University of Chicago's first community service program. In 2005 she was appointed Vice President of Community and External Affairs for Chicago hospitals. It stands to reason that the community-minded Michelle Obama will now use her position to advance social issues.

TRUTH AND REALITY

Michelle Obama has faced harsh criticism over some of her comments. There were eyebrows raised about her 1985 thesis. Some wondered if she showed

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