1. Michelle
Obama
By Lara Gitlin

2. Early Life
 Grew up in Chicago
 Traveled 3 hours per day to a magnet high
school
 Went to Princeton and Harvard Law
"Michelle works harder than anyone I know…I'd
come home from basketball practice, and
she'd be working. I'd sit down on the couch and
watch TV; she'd keep working. When I turned off
the TV, she'd still be working.“ – Craig Robinson

3. The turning point
 Worked at prestigious law firm Sidley and
Austin, but didn’t feel connected to her job
 Her father’s death and a friend’s death made
her reconsider her life choices
“It made me realize that I could die tomorrow. I
had to ask myself, Is this how I want to spend my
time? I knew I would never feel a sense of
passion or joy about the law. I was on a
conveyor belt.”

4. First Lady and Total Leader
 Let’s Move! and Joining Forces address our
nation’s biggest social challenges
 Obama’s work impacts the community and
focuses on issues she cares about
 Supports her husband’s agenda, her kids also get
involved
 She gets personal satisfaction from her work
“This isn’t just a policy issue for me. This is a passion.
This is my mission. I am determined to work with folks
across this country to change the way a generation
of kids thinks about food and nutrition."

5. Family matters
 She takes an active role in
her kids’ lives
 She plans family-friendly
entertainment in the White
House
 Her mother lives with the
family to help with childcare
I like to be a presence in my kids' school. I
want to know the teachers; I want to know
the other parents."

6. Fashion icon
 Mixes high fashion
with casual clothing
 Promotes young
designers, women
and minorities