Amaka Okonkwo explains why she finds America’s First Lady so appealing
Only a little over two years since her husband was sworn in as President of the United States, Michelle Obama has embarked on several projects that are close to her heart – most obviously her campaigns for women’s rights, healthy living and fighting obesity – and is even working on a book based on the White House vegetable garden she started.
Earlier this year Michelle launched her ‘Let’s Move!’ initiative aimed at beating child obesity and improving the quality of food in US schools. She divided this project into four parts: helping parents make better food choices, serving healthier food in school vending machines and lunch lines, making healthy food more available and affordable, and encouraging children to exercise more.
One fascinating remark she made in her campaign on this project is that she did not exonerate herself from enjoying junk food. She did not make the obese feel guilty. She did not discriminate against them. It takes true humility to own up to one’s own faults.
Michelle also participated with local school children in planting a vegetable garden on the south lawn of the White House in March 2009. The 100sqm garden is her own initiative, and is aimed at promoting healthy eating (while also raising funds for charity). Plus, the First Lady makes no qualms about getting her fingers green in the soil herself. No pretence or greed here!
This attitude even extends to the online realm. Whereas most of us use the likes of Facebook to promote ourselves, Michelle Obama uses it to promote an anti-bullying campaign. True selflessness!
Barack’s Rock
Michelle Obama’s popularity even exceeds that of her husband, as she was recently named the most powerful woman in the world by Forbes 100 list. Meanwhile, her husband the President introduces her as “my rock” – the person who keeps him focused and grounded. How many men today can stand to say proudly that it’s their wife that keeps them grounded?
She’s the one who keeps Barack Obama, the one who made sure running for leader of the free world didn’t go to his head, according to Richard Wolfe. It was Michelle who first raised concerns about her husband’s safety during the campaign. Irrespective of her social status, she is calm, cool, and humble and carries herself with so much respect and dignity.
Among those who know her personally, most her as poised, relaxed and confident. “There is no difference between the public Michelle and the private Michelle,” says University of Chicago law professor David Strauss.
The former Michelle Robinson started as a naïve young black girl from a poor neighbourhood with low self-esteem, yet she wanted to be ‘somebody’ and had the strong backing of her father. I was the same, but my father died when I was very young. However, his legacy never died.
Touching lives
Michelle Obama is persistent in touching and building lives! It is my greatest dream to do what she has done, as little matters to me more than solving individual and societal problems.
Of course she hasn’t gone without her critics, but when your aim is to promote integration, inclusion, equality and justice, you are bound to step on some toes unconsciously.
If Michelle Obama can make a difference, I know I can.
Amaka Okonkwo works in sales for Metro Éireann.
