March 1st is the first day of Women’s History Month, and because ShineMyCrown is dedicated to the empowerment of Black women and women of color — we will be paying tribute to several women over the upcoming month we feel deserve an extra special shoutout.
Women’s History Month is a commemoration, observance and celebration of the vital role of women in American history.
We are beginning our Women of Power list (in collaboration with Karen Hunter’s news site. The Hub.News) with former FLOTUS Michelle Obama.
Former First Lady Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama came from humble beginnings, growing up on Chicago’s South Side. Her father, Fraser Robinson, was a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department, while her mother, Marian Robinson, stayed home to raise Michelle and her older brother Craig.
Obama studied sociology and African-American studies at Princeton University before graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988. She went on to join the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin. It was there that she met the love of her life Barack Obama, who would go on to become the 44th president of the United States.
Obama served the nation with poise, wit and good humor. And while many understood that in politics, you cannot please everybody, her sweet nature and maternal manner quickly won over the hearts and minds of the nation. She launched several initiatives to give back to the citizens of her country.
In 2010, Obama launched Let’s Move!, bringing together community leaders, educators, medical professionals, parents, and others in a nationwide effort to address the challenge of childhood obesity. The program made efforts to ensure that healthier foods were being offered in our schools and help kids be more physically active.
Obama launched the Reach Higher Initiative, an effort to inspire young people across America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school. Reach Higher aimed to expose students to college and career opportunities, helping them understand financial aid eligibility as well as encouraging academic planning and summer learning opportunities.
Despite leaving The White House, Obama’s influence has only increased. Her 2018 memoir, “Bceoming,” was the highest-selling book published in the United States in 2018, setting the record 15 days after its publication, with over two million copies sold.
In her memoir, she explains why she believes in paying it forward:
“For every door that’s been opened to me, I’ve tried to open my door to others. And here is what I have to say, finally: Let’s invite one another in. Maybe then we can begin to fear less, to make fewer wrong assumptions, to let go of the biases and stereotypes that unnecessarily divide us. Maybe we can better embrace the ways we are the same. It’s not about being perfect,” she wrote. “It’s not about where you get yourself in the end. There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there’s grace in being willing to know and hear others. This, for me, is how we become.”
In December 2020, the former first lady was named the most admired woman in the U.S. for the third consecutive year, according to Gallup polling.
In 2020 she launched “The Michelle Obama Podcast,” on Spotify to critical acclaim.
Her achievements are plentiful and there are many reasons Michelle Obama is one of the most admired women in the world. We also think it’s beautiful the way she and Barack parade their beautiful Black love for all to see…
Michelle Obama is undoubtedly a Woman of Power.
Who else should make the list?
