Why All Women Should Love Michelle Obama

No matter whom you supported in the election, all women will benefit from Michelle Obama's presence in the White House. Here's how -- excuse me while I gush a little.

1. She's a good mother. Whether you're single, married, a parent, or never plan to be, the image of a strong, responsible mother -- one who also manages to maintain a demanding career of her own and support her husband's -- is a wonderful example for all women. Not only does she prioritize her daughters over everything else -- getting to soccer games, ballet recitals, and birthday parties, election or not -- she also constantly advocates the importance of responsible parenting for all children. To paraphrase Gandhi, a society can best be judged by the way it treats its children.
2. She's smarter than you. If you went to Princeton and Harvard, fine, maybe you're almost as smart as Michelle Obama. But most of us, even the super-educated elite, can learn a thing or two from this woman who came from humble beginnings on the South Side of Chicago to excel at the country's top institutions, with the goal of helping others. She, like her husband, left a high-paying legal career to work for social issues helping children, women and minorities. Community organizing, it seems, isn't just a perfectly adequate qualification -- it's the new PhD.



3. She's a realistic fashion icon. Jackie Kennedy employed a personal designer. Nancy Reagan wore only custom-tailored suits. Michelle Obama shops the J. Crew catalogue. Her wardrobe of sheath dresses, twin sets, kitten heels, and minimal jewelry ranges from the everyday affordable (Gap, H&M) to the mid-range luxury (Narciso Rodriguez, Maria Pinto), making it totally accessible to the modern American woman. And it's not just what she wears, but how she wears it. Obama is hardly Jackie O-thin, but she confidently flaunts her real-woman curves in silhouettes that are both sexy and sophisticated, proving that femininity can also be feminist. And she's never been spotted in a pair of stuffy, uncomfortable pantyhose. Here's hoping she'll be the one to kill that archaic trend once and for all.
4. Yes, she is a feminist. During the election, Obama was often criticized as "anti-feminist" for being overly affectionate and playful with her husband, for quitting her high-powered job when the Obama campaign kicked into high gear, and for insisting she'll take a back seat in the White House, focusing on raising her daughters rather than rabble-rousing Congress. And as far as I'm concerned, these are the kinds of arguments that kill feminism, which should be about celebrating women's progress. It's not a race to see who can be the toughest gal in the old-boy's club without regard to the very-real juggling act all women -- especially mothers -- must perform. Michelle's dedication to her husband is admirable (can we please stop perpetuating the stereotype that feminists hate men?); her responsibility as a mother essential (see #1); and as for her taking a "back seat," we're not convinced. Do you really think this Princeton/Harvard alum with her own track record as a community leader (as well as top-level executive) will not wield some kind of power in the White House? She's an extremely strong influence on her husband. She held a Harvard Law degree before he did. She mentored him when he joined Chicago law firm Sidley Austin, and she encouraged him to be a community organizer. Barack Obama listens when Michelle Obama speaks, and that's a pretty sweet deal for women.
5. She is a black woman. Why does race matter? Because women are still a minority of sorts themselves, so a black woman represents two historically oppressed groups. When the Obama administration takes up issues like education, health care, and a fair-and-balanced workforce, Michelle Obama will be the force advocating for every group of women in the country, and she won't be the only one. She has a history of employing an entirely female staff of aides and advisers. Some might consider such hiring practices exclusionary. We think it shows she has confidence in the intelligence and strength of women to get things done. And let's not underestimate the power of image. Her simple presence in the White House -- a descendant of slaves will be hosting White House dinners! -- is an extremely powerful image for our country, and for the world. Now I know why the Secret Service gave her the code name "Renaissance."

Heather Wood Rudúlph is co-founder and editor of SirensMag.com. To see original article, click here.

Follow Heather Wood Rudúlph on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SirensMag

Comments

[Cailin]

I love her! She is brilliant, smart and so full of personal grace. She is going to be one of the most spectacular first ladies of all time. I just can't wait for this family to move into the White House. We are truly blessed as a nation to have them lead us.

[mrskitty67]

She's a very brilliant, confident, hardworking & supportive mother & wife - Please give her the credit she deserves - I love her style & grace, but more importantly the love & support she has for her family. Wow - she's utterly amazing - She's my hero.....

[Tamoomoo]

I love that community organizers are finally getting some respect! I was so proud of my husband 8 years ago when he became one, and even prouder at his accomplishments today. Community organizers are beautiful people, inside and out! Love than our future First Couple have that in common with us. It makes me feel like all the fighting during the Bush years were worth it.

[vain jane]

Michelle is lovely. But enough with these fake secret service codes. They were designed to be leaked, and they were chosen to be flattering.

[GPMeg]

Michelle is my hero! As a 20something female, I find it hard to locate a real woman of power after whom I can model some of myself. Women today play in to those silly stereotypes that my mother and all of ours fought against. Feminism is about celebrating women, and especially celebrating women who are doing what they WANT to do and not what the patriarchy thinks they SHOULD do. If you want to be anti-feminist, you should buy in to the lie that the patriarchy feeds that women are only good for being mothers and housewives-- neither of which are easy or shameful jobs.

Michelle Obama (who does remind me of my mother) celebrates everything she has decided to do with her life and I think provides a positive role model for women of all races and ages.

[KKojei]

But don't model yourself after her. We don't need two of her. We need you to be you, the finest you possible. With your own unique perspective, your own style, your own mind. This is the flaw in human thinking. Individuality is by far the most appealing, the most compelling, the most irreplaceable gift you can give the world. To diminish the value of it is to miss what freedom is really about. It drives me crazy that everybody runs out to find that yellow two piece outfit, those Sarah Palin glasses. Women are the rainbow of God in human form. Shine your own beautiful light. Add it to her beautiful light. That's when it becomes impressive.

[yhgtup]

I started to just post my comment, & not read the article. You don't have to sell me on Michelle Obama. She is ALL THAT!!! She campaigned in FL with Jill Biden. Since I was a campaign volunteer, I stood slightly behind her, while she spoke at the podium. I noticed her tall, lovely, bare legs. All us women volunteers were giving high-fives for Michelle, representing in her little silver flat shoes & no pantyhose. Jill Biden had on hose & high-hills, but she was great, too. I had on my "Michelle For First Lady" t-shirt. After Michelle spoke, she started shaking hands with supporters. I was jumping up & down, calling "Michelle", "Michelle, look at my shirt"!! I was acting like a six-year-old trying to get attention from a parent. (I'm 55). Michelle was on the other side of the platform by now. She turned & looked at me, gave me a thumbs-up with a gigantic smile!! I will never forget that moment.

[Courtney250]

Michelle Obama has been a class act, just like her husband throughout the campaign. She looked absolutely stunning when they visited the White House.

She comes across as a very warm person too, which I really like.

[DosaHut]

I already knew all these reasons! It's not like there are some mind-blowing original reason here. These are the reasons I already like Michelle Obama. And she has class. With all the vitriol spewed by Palin and McCain about her husband, she STILL never said an unkind word about either of them.

When Cindy mcCain lambasted Obama, Michelle did not do the same, but said it was ok.
I am amazed at how much forgiveness one person can have in them.

[monac58]

Unlike the 'Ice Queen' Cindy McCain, Michelle Obama is a woman with grace. Her beauty comes from within. What a real joy it is going to be to watch the next eight years unfold with the Obamas in the White House. Here is a couple who truly love each other and it shows EVERY time they are together. I love that by itself. And I am happy that Michelle is not a clothes horse---(Cindy McCain comes to mind again)! She comes across more like the every day American woman and that is what is so endearing about her. She just has it all!

[artistbb]

You don't have to tell me why I need to love Michelle, I already admire her. She is what I want to see in the White House. Although she does not now hold her own high powered job, she has brains and will understand the global requirements of diplomacy in which she will be involved. She has an understated elegance that is perfect for the First Lady, along with grace and charm. She is comfortable in her own skin, not like Cindy McCain who's first priority is her looks, her high priced designer clothes, her plastic surgeries, her burned out bleached hair.
Michelle will be just the kind of role model young women of every race should see. It would be unrealistic for her to have a high pressure position outside of First Lady which will require much from her time. Even Hillary considered it a full time job. It is time for the job to be a paid position.
Mark Warner's wife is another woman who made a great First Lady for the Commonwealth of Virginia. She is her own person, has her own professional life, and acted with dignity while her husband was governor, and had her priorities straight. She is smart, athletic, a great mother, but is not a glamor girl or a shrinking violet.

[carbar]

Michelle didn't encourage, Barack to be an organzier. He was one before going to Harvard, and met her thereafter.

I like, Michelle's style, but couldn't let the "organzier kudo" go unchecked!

[Badbone]

Other than the last one, Laura Bush has all these qualities. Where's the love for her?

[DaisyDooks]

I thought the article was about Michelle Obama. But, I like Laura Bush, too. She gets cool points for having the courage, strength and patience to stay married to GW.

[SamiSam]

Well, I've loved her for along time.

[diahni]

Ladylike:
Where have you been? "Young Ladies" no longer wear panty hose. Good for them!

[politicalminded]

You left out a very important point.....­..She's tall.

[rockyersocksoff]

She's taller than W.

That was classic.

[caremore]

Great article...­.going to your website asap. Michelle is fantastic and great role model for all!!!!!!!!