So much has been made of Barack Obama’s first 100 days, but what about Michelle? Our First Lady has also traveled the world, met with foreign dignitaries, and represented this country to the best of her ability. 100 days is hardly enough time to make a real conclusion about much of anything, but it sounds good. So the media is going with it. And so am I!
I’ll leave it up to the diehard political junkies to analyze Barack’s performance so far — the NBC/WSJ poll gives the President good grades, The Black Snob did a great post about Obama’s 100 days (and she was on Nightline last night talking about this very topic!).
I think Michelle’s doing an amazing job as First Lady of the United States. And I’m far from the only one who thinks so.
The Huffington Post gave her mostly A’s and B+’s on her report card, and the Chicago Sun Times calls her first 100 Days “nearly flawless.”
“Mrs. Obama’s issue portfolio is substantive — and safe.
Healthy eating. Helping military families. Balancing work and family. Opening up White House events. Community service.
The past weeks have produced public events showcasing Mrs. Obama: planting the White House vegetable garden; bringing cooking school students into the White House kitchen; thanking federal employees at agency visits; dazzling Europe.”
I can tell you from personal knowledge, many Trinidadians were heartbroken when Michelle didn’t make an appearance during the Summit of the Americas. Heartbroken!
And in that regard, I really thought this CNN article Why Michelle Obama inspires women around the globe, was on the money.
“The notion of a woman being a first in anything is alien in many parts of the world. Millions of women struggle against sexual violence, discrimination and poverty, several women activists say.
But Michelle Obama offers a personal rebuke to that message. Her personal story — born into a blue-collar family; overcoming racism and once even making more money than her husband — makes her a mesmerizing figure to women across the globe, says Susan M. Reverby, a professor of women’s studies at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.
Reverby says this is the first time many women have seen their class and color reflected in America’s first lady.
“This is someone who appeals across the usual divides,” Reverby says. “She is a celebrity you can imagine being, not a celebrity you have to watch from afar.”
That’s a big part of her appeal for me, her accessibility. Michelle Obama’s rise to prominence has been such an inspiration, such a breath of fresh air. She’s living proof that putting in hard work to get an education is worth it, and that’s of immeasurable value to the children in the south side of Chicago, and neighborhoods like that across America and throughout the world. She is proof that you can balance work and family, train a dog, still keep it real by sneaking out for hamburgers every now and then (Five Guys Burgers and Fries FTW!), and still look beautiful and stay fit while doing it.
In Style’s done a 100 Days of Style slide show of stunning photos, which certainly reveal our FLOTUS’ passion for fashion. But for the naysayers and Fox News lovers, the fashion icon status of Michelle O is a subject for much hand-wringing and complaint. And maybe it’s true, too much focus on her image could serve to undercut her messages — but as long as she keeps on doing inspiring acts, I see nothing wrong with her looking fabulous while doing them. And if she can have an effect on the fashion industry itself, all the better.
Just yesterday, Michelle attended a special unveiling event, after a decade, finally the National Congress of Black Women has honored Sojourner Truth with a memorial bust in the U.S. Capitol. The photos of Michelle, Nancy Pelosi, and Hillary Clinton unveiling the bust truly touched me. It’s a symbolic act for all women, but I can only imagine what the moment meant for Michelle personally, the swelling of pride and amazement she probably felt. She spoke eloquently on the subject.
“Now many young boys and girls, like my own daughters, will come to Emancipation Hall and see the face of a woman who looks like them. I hope that Sojourner Truth would be proud to see me, a descendant of slaves, serving as the first lady of the United States of America. ”
She sure would!
100 days in office, and Michelle Obama’s doing a stellar job in my opinion. Of course there are others who disagree, but as I said in the comment I left on that aforementioned CNN article, it’s gonna be a long eight years for some people.
What are your thoughts, bellas and fellas? What are your feelings about Michelle Obama’s first 100 days as First Lady?
I truly find it hard to find fault with anything that she has done. She has championed issues that have been grossly overlooked especially in terms of military families and she has inspired a nation to go back to the earth and see what they can grow for themselves. She seems to have found a balance between who she is and what the world would like her to be and she walks the fine line well.
Being that she is brilliant there are times when I wish we didn’t focus so much on the outside but the reality for any woman is that if you got it, ya got it and no matter how much you want your words to matter people are looking at your outer appearance. She is beautiful, comfortable in her skin, comfortable with her curves and her hubby looks at her with such love and admiration, yeah for Mrs. O bring sexy and romance back!!
The dress Mrs. O is wearing for the unveiling is just my style! (Just not my wallet’s style 😉 )
I really enjoy watching and hearing about First Lady Obama. I am honestly encouraged to do more with my life. It’s a rare thing for ANYONE in the public eye to inspire me, but she does. (I must say I am glad the attention around the “wee Michelles” died down.)
Thanks so much, Afrobella, for posting this.
I think she has done and will continue to do an outstanding job! When she stops being First Lady we may still see her in the political arena.
OOOOh. Gotta share: http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/3484014275/
this is off topic but i couldnt figure out how to mail u directly… sorry im doing this in a comment section!
Theres this awesome punk rocker afrobella Shoniwa Shingai of the Noisettes… natural hair is beautiful
http://media.photobucket.com/image/noisettes%20shoniwa/misscrew2/misscrew5/NoisettesStyle.jpg
actually this a better indication of her energy on stage… im convinced theres a trampoline on stage
http://yayemarieba.blogspot.com/2009/04/shoniwa-shingaithe-noisetteswhat-more.html
Back to the topic… pls forgive my digression
Great post. This woman is elegant in a way that is beyond clothes or any such trappings… shes enlightened and gives a damn. I smile whenever I see her.
After I read the article on CNN yesterday about how Mrs. Obama is inspiring women around the world I emailed it to every black woman I know. I LOVE the fact that women all over the world feel they can relate to her because she has dark skin. I was especially touched by what the woman in India had to say. I didn’t know dark skin and hair in India was considered a curse. Its gone from that to people now saying Mrs. Obama could be the new face of India. AMAZING!!! Mrs. Obama is the epitome of grace, class, dignity and elegance. She has most definitely put to rest the lie that she was this angry black woman. Instead she is seen as compassionate and caring. I have nothing but praise for our First Lady.
I am struck by her confidence and ease whether she stands in the midst of royalty or is planting veggies in the garden. My favorite moments from her 100 days were her speech to the young girls at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in the UK and when she served lunch at the homeless shelter. She is engaging and seems very genuine and I give her two thumbs up!
Michelle’s grace under fire and scrutiny is a testament to her strength, and she stays feminine and elegant while charming so many people. This woman has had so many hateful things said about her, and she remains proud, happy and unapolegetic about who she is. I looooved when she talked to those kids about how she was teased for “talking like a white girl” so many Black kids can relate to that kind of foolish criticsm.
Also, Michelle’s presence in the media kinda confirms what i already knew; the image of a beautiful, smart, well loved Black woman upsets a lot of people. And Patrice you are right, it is going to be a long 8 years for those folks-heh heh. I am beyond proud of Michelle for showing the world an image of someone everyone can admire.
btw, HI PATRICE!!!-lol
I remember reading articles and web postings by people who said The President wouldn’t win the election because of Michelle. They said she was too dark..too angry..the descendent of slaves..she didn’t share Barack’s pedigree. I would LOVE to know what they think now. Na..na..na..na..na! LOL!
If they can make over Michelle Obama, then anything is possible. Just shows how naive and gullible the electorate is. They really will believe anything. Michelle will slip up though and her true colors will come shining through. She has no class and it shows, time to raise the bar.
@ Eileen:
Like Jon Stewart said, pace your rage -lol
@ Eileen:
Michelle has class to spare. She represents us [all women] well.
Eileen! Ah, we were expecting you. Well, maybe not you personally but certainly someone like you, who’s holding on to the diehard Republican pre-election script. 100 days and her true colors are shining through, alright. Bright and beautiful for the whole world to see and admire.
I absolutely love her and thanks for writing this post. She has stood tall in the face of some truly disgusting racism and sexism.
First Lady Obama is making a huge impression not just at home in the US but on the world. Not only that but she is following her beliefs and ideals by being an example for work in community service.
I would say we have seen true excellence and grace from her I’m this first 100 and expect it to not only continue but also escalate through more participation on the local front.
Time to raise the bar for whom?
Funny, I’m not really dark skinned, but I am black and I’m visiting in India at the moment. I get people staring at me, I mean staring right at me, all the time. It was really discomfitiing in the beginning, it made me hate to walk outside. But one day I was walking up the street and people were staring, staring, staring and in that moment, I asked myself, what would Michelle do?
I knew in my heart she would never look down if people were staring at her, she wouldn’t feel like she was… less. I put a smile on my face, held my head up, and walked up that street like it belonged to me.
It might sound silly to some people, but just being able to look up to a beautiful, confident black woman has been so precious to me, and I can say without a doubt that she’s given me the strength to survive the rude stares.
Love her!
Michelle is beyond dazzling. Thank you for sharing her accomplishments and complete dedication to her new position as First Lady of the United States.
I am in awe.
Eileen’s contribution about Mrs. Obama is very telling…about Eileen. Quit sippin’ that h8terade! The world is in need of more optimism and positive contributions!
I read a quote somewhere on the ‘net about how women from developing countries view Michelle. Basically she’s a darker skinned woman who has two girls that has broken barriers.
That speaks to me personally. Being the daughter of a woman who was thrown out of her marital home because she couldn’t have any male children.
She gets an A+ from me for her first 100 days.
It sucks that people feel so compelled to judge her wardrobe or looks, but in this society, I get it. That’s just the way it is. Personally, she could wear a potato sack and still be stunning to me 🙂
Our First Lady is eloquent , intelligent and beautiful. Nice to see someone who looks like me in the White House – I can definitely see her in some government position after her husband’s 8 yrs in office .
Eileen – get a life
Admirer – so sorry to hear you being put out of the marital home – but you do know that it is the man that determines the sex of the child?? So it was HE ( carrier of xy chromosomes) that could not produce the males not you!!!
Eileen sounds like a Vampire. A Vampire to me is someone with bad, negative, energy that can suck the positivity out of all those around them. Someone like that should be left to themselves to wallow in their own misery.
I think after 100 days I love the Obamas even more because now I can see them on television more often. Now I know more about Michelle and her daughters. I think the President is doing a great job and I love seeing ad hearing about Michelle. My opinions of them have gotten better and I hope to have a family like theirs some day!
Here’s an analysis of the First Lady’s hair that ties in nicely:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gioia-diliberto/first-hair_b_192811.html
I think she has handled the transition from a private citizen to First Lady with much grace.
There was so much negativity about her during the campaign. She is proving the naysayers wrong.