Michelle Obama And The Auntie Contingent

Shelly, Shelly, Shelly.

You always know how to get us together. You slay on the national stage with your flawless, yet subdued makeup. You give us fashions and flair in your couture designs, which are modern enough to be fly but demure enough for your position as First Lady. Your hair is consistently laid to the gods and your eyebrows are always, as the youth say, on fleek.

But that's not why your speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention was so moving. It is more than just your physical appearance that drew rapturous responses from the black women in the crowd, the "aunties."

You showed that a brilliant, bold, unapologetically black woman that stands in her truth can be the most powerful endorsement a candidate can have.

It's because you remind us of where we -- people of color -- have come from and how far we still have to go in this country. Your brilliance is a reminder to all the aunties watching in the audience that the work they do every day, the love they give and the knowledge the provide outside of the national spotlight, is reflected back to them through you. Your words no doubt brought many black women and other women to tears, simply because we know that you see us and recognize what is at stake if we do not support Hillary Clinton.

You showed that a brilliant, bold, unapologetically black woman that stands in her truth can be the most powerful endorsement a candidate can have. There is a reason the Bernie Bros didn't disrespect you during your time on the stage -- the spirit of the aunties and mamas and big mamas who love you kept them in check.

Most of all, you remind us that black women are the secret ingredient.

Thank you, Michelle Obama, for sharing your light with the world. You will be sorely missed.

A version of this post originally appeared on Medium.