“We learned about honesty and integrity - that the truth matters... that you don't take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules... and success doesn't count unless you earn it fair and square.” (BrainyQuote) Michelle Robinson Obama bravely faced the unnerving odds of being an African American lady in the 1960s to 1980s, not to mention growing up in Chicago and attending the prestigious Princeton University. Proudly raised in Chicago, the First Lady continually proves that, although she faced numerous setbacks and challenges, one can succeed in any task they are faced with. Michelle Obama, accompanied with all of her unique quirks, went through countless hours of dedication to her schooling, and she now helps lead a nation with intelligence and inspiration.
On January 17th, 1964, Michelle LaVaughn Robinson, later known as Michelle Obama, was born to Marian and Frasier Robinson. With an older brother, Craig, by her side, Michelle began her eventful and successful life. Growing up on the South side of Chicago, Michelle attended Bryn Mawr Elementary School, later renamed Bouchet Academy. (Gainsville Shows) In addition to being able to read by first grade, she was an extremely gifted student and, as a result, she received the opportunity to skip the second grade like her brother, mother, and father. Her mother, Marian, would have Craig and Michelle both bring reading and math workbooks from school so that she could help them get ahead of their classmates. (Bond, Michelle Obama: A Biography) As a result of this dedication and hard work, while enrolled in the sixth grade, she was chosen for a “gifted student” program which allowed her the opportunity to take advanced biology and French classes at Kennedy-King Community College. (Nat...
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...al First Ladies’ Library and Historic Site) Promoting Service and working with the youth has continued to be a staple of her career and interest. (The White House) Michelle Obama has kept her morals and goals since becoming First Lady, and those have been transferred all across the nation.
“And in my own life, in my own small way, I've tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us--no matter what our age or background or walk of life--each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation." (Pfetten) Michelle Robinson Obama, from growing up on the South Side of Chicago to the White House in Washington, D.C., continues to inspire and lead a nation with passion and honesty.
Shirley Chisholm was a crucial figure in Black politics, and the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Congress. She defeated civil rights leader James Farmer on November 5, 1968, and served 7 terms in the House of Representatives till 1982. Also, she was the first woman and person of color to run for President. Chisholm is a model of independence and honesty and has championed several issues including civil rights, aid for the poor, and women 's rights.
It was hard for Obama to know that his father was the person whom he had the most resemblance in terms of physical appearance and he was never around. There were so many questions and confusions in Obama’s head. His mother was a white woman and he was black. Obama was in the need of finding a community where he would feel welcome. Despite Obama’s traumas produced by the deficiency of his father’s presence Obama proved to be very smart. He was a student at Columbia University. He was one of the few black students that went t...
Chuck D and Johnson in their article state that while Obama is in office they with the rest of the African American population hope to see a smaller wealth gap between white people and African Americans as well as a lower percentage of homelessness (45). This couple not only strongly believes in Obama, but also that he can bring reform to the country. Chideya in her article talks about Obama facing many problems that need fixing in the United States, and that he should focus mostly on education (136). This is another example of looking ahead into Obama's presidency and urging him to focus primarily on education. Lastly, Cleage writes about Michelle Obama and how she is as amazing and influential to the world as her husband is. She states, "Michelle Obama would still be a very powerful woman" (27), even if she did not marry Barack Obama. Cleage feels so strongly about Michelle Obama that she goes as far as to say that the First Lady is the best of the new Americans and that she really is America (28). She is trying to say that it was not just the president that changed the US, it was the entire Obama family and that with both Michelle Obama and Barack Obama in power great changes can be made for the country. These writers are imploring Obama to bring change to America since now there is a powerful
Hillary R. Clinton once said that “There cannot be true democracy unless Women’s voices are heard” (conference in Vienna, Austria 1997). That very brilliant quote relates to a very strong woman by the name of Maya Angelou. Angelou is “America’s most visible black female autobiographer and speakers” (scholar Joanne M. Braxton). She is known for her speeches, poems, and books, but what stood out to me the most was her 1993 inauguration speech when Bill Clinton was sworn into the White House. Ironically, in her poem “On the Pulse of Morning” Maya Angelou uses clear rhetoric, prehistoric metaphoric images, and inspirational concepts to alert her audience to treat the world differently.
At this point in time the name and image of Condoleezza Rice is commonplace among the majority of informed Americans. As the first female to serve as the National Security Advisor to the President of the United States, Dr. Rice was propelled even further into the spotlight following the attacks on America on September 11th 2001. I too, like most Americans, saw a lot more of Condi, as she is known by her many friends and colleagues, after September 11. Clearly she was intelligent and always remained calm and poised in the face of adversity and standing before the cameras. I also noticed and appreciated her articulation and was even moved by what seemed like her stoic yet compassionate presentation. It was not until I read Dr. Rice’s biography, Condi, by Antonia Felix, however that she gained my utmost respect. By the 21st century a black successful black female is not as uncommon as it was fifty years ago. Black women had fought their way to the top in many arenas, including political such as the U.S. Senate. What is truly amazing about Condi’s story is speed and finesse with which she ascended to the top of everything she took on. An endearing friendship and mutual loyalty with both of the George Bushes surely did not hurt her. Condi’s success was hardly limited to the world of politics. She approached music, fitness, academics, sports, religion, and family with the same decisiveness, consistency, and determination that she brought to the public sector. Condi is also no stranger to controversy. Now more than ever she faces a host of critics, especially regarding her supposed knowledge of possible terrorist threats before they came to pass on September 11. Her Republican politics made her less than popular among African Americans although she maintains a more liberal perspective on social issues and remains pro-choice. In spite of her ups and downs it is ultimately her unfaltering character to which she can attribute her success as well as her status as what many call the most powerful woman in politics.
Hillary Clinton’s 2016 ad “Role Models” displayed running opponent Donald Trump saying derogatory and at some point even slanderous things throughout his campaign rally as children watch on. Making us ask ourselves is this the role model we want our children to look up to, and desire to be like especially those who have a dream to become presidents themselves as most kids do. This ad show may show a couple of distorted facts, but a mass majority hold to be true, Trumps says all this while being on video at his campaign rallies while visiting different states. The point is to show the way he is talking and how kids still take offense to it no matter what, and we shouldn’t allow this kind of talk out the mouth of a potential leader of the country.
Michelle Obama is without a doubt aware of this, and it is no wonder that her speech is of the persuasive kind, trying to convince the voters that a vote for the fellow democratic Hillary Clinton is a vote for a bright future for the US. The audience can be divided into two groups: the primary and the secondary audience. The primary audience consists of the people gathered at the Democratic National Convention who are watching her speak live. The secondary audience is made up of the general public who hears, sees or reads the speech later. Michelle Obama’s speech is mainly aimed at the general audience though, which is very clear at the beginning of the speech: “You know, it’s hard to believe that it has been eight years since I first came to this convention to talk with you” (p. 1, l. 1-2). In this quote, she addresses the people at the convention in a very friendly manner, implying that they share a close bond with her. While a lot of the viewers may not necessarily have anything in common with her besides being a democrat,
Barack received a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and then worked as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago. This helped him gain a lot of confidence and responsibility. He had many plans and goals to make the community better. He achieved his goals and this was just the beginning of a successful path in his life. He decided to attend Harvard Law School, which helped him bring change for himself, his family, and especially to his community. Also in that school he also gained the knowledge and power of becoming a leader that he wanted to become.
“Feminist” has a negative connotation nowadays; we often times here people call feminists “feminazis,” “man haters,” or even just a “bitch.” Many people think that “feminism is anti- male” (Hooks). Many female celebrities stay hush about the issues surrounding females every day, but Lena Dunham is not one of them. Stemming from a family of artists, Lena became a writer, actress, producer, and director and was put in the spotlight. Instead of keeping hush about the world and Hollywood’s issues pertaining to the mistreatment of not only women, but those of different genders and other oppressed people as well. Lena Dunham shows her bold character and feminist visions by using her pedestal to speak out on social and political issues.
By overcoming the racism and rude comments it has made Michelle a more successful person. Here are some examples. Michelle attended Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, the city's first magnet high school for gifted children, were among other activities, she served as the student government treasurer. In 1981, Michelle graduated from the school as class salutatorian. Following in her older brother's footsteps, Michelle then attended Princeton University, graduating cum laude in 1985 with a B.A. in Sociology. She went on to study law at Harvard Law School, where she took part in demonstrations calling for the enrollment and hiring of more minority students and
Introducing Michelle Rhee battle over education reform in Washington, D.C’s public schools. According to, the Houston Public Media Michelle Rhee remains one of the most notorious education reformers in the nation. In Washington, Rhee’s direct style helped turn around a struggling district, but her decision to close schools and fire hundreds of teachers and principals also generated criticism. In according with New week, Michelle Rhee showed that she was serious about reform the schools, by firing more that than a hundred non-union central office workers, including administrators, and thirty six principals for not educating the students in the public school. Therefore, the three leadership traits in which Michelle Rhee scores high was to drive
There are many problems in today’s world, one of which is the existence of racism. Obviously it has improved dramatically over time, however racism is still out there in our every day lives. The movement Black Lives Matter has spread nationwide attracting the attention of many different parties. Black Lives Matter has had a large impact on the whole country with many people taking different stances on it.
A lady of courage and strength, often described as shy in her earlier life, she was the one to raise her voice against racial discrimination. The hero of our lives, Rosa Parks. Rosa Louise McCauley Parks was born in Tuskegee, Alabama in 1913. She was a daughter to a carpenter James McCauley and a teacher Leona McCauley and also a granddaughter to an enslaved person (Rosa Parks Biography). “Rosa McCauley learned this "rectitude and race pride" from her grandfather, a supporter of Marcus Garvey” (Dunlap). She was two years old when she moved to her grandparent’s farm. Rosa attended “the Montgomery Industrial School for Girl” which was a private school “founded by a liberal minded women from the northern United States (Biography Rosa parks). She later grew up as an African American civil rights activists and a seamstress (Rosa Parks Biography).
To sum up, Obama has always been and will always be a great example of how to succeed in spite of difficulties or obstacles. Such a strong personality is worth to be admired. Obama has left me with positive feelings about the
The relationship between the leaders of the United States of America and Germany has always been an awkward one. The countries have fought on the opposite sides of two World Wars, and for most of the late 20th Century, Germany was a divided nation. Today, the two countries are allies, but the leaders have a large gap to bridge to stay on good terms. In 2014, that is up to Barack Obama, the first black President of the United States of America, and Angela Merkel, the first female Chancellor of Germany.