MICHELLE OBAMA

Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Michelle is the 1st Black woman to become 1st Lady of the United States.Neither of her parents went to university; her father worked for the city’s water filtration plant while her mother stayed at home to raise her and her brother.

She recalls the “priceless gifts” that her parents gave her.
At just 3 years old, she was encouraged to make her voice heard, she was asked her opinion on matters, and she was allowed to speak her mind, even when it challenged other adult family members.

As a teenager, she qualified to attend an elite magnet high school and spent 3 hours every day commuting there. After high school, she followed in her brother's footsteps to attend Princeton University.

Once there, the mother of one of her roommates asked for a room change after finding out that her daughter had been assigned a Black roommate. As a Black student at an elite university, she recalls always feeling like she had to prove herself.

She went on to graduate from Harvard Law School, and the following year she joined Sidley Austin, a prestigious Chicago law firm, where she met her future husband, Barack Obama.

As 1st Lady, she promoted physical activity and encouraged healthy eating by planting a vegetable garden on the south lawn of the White House. She championed the support of veterans and their families and expanded the access of education to girls around the world, challenging the notion that girls are only valuable for their reproductive capacities.