Michelle+Obama

[|Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama] was born on January 17, 1964. Michelle and her family all shared a one-bedroom Chicago flat on the South Shore. Her father was a city pump orator and a Democratic precinct captain while her mother was a Spielgel's secretary, but later on decided to stay home and take care of Michelle and her brother Craig. Even though things seemed hard at times for the Robinsons, they still managed to stay close knit and enjoy family togetherness.

Michelle learned to read at home by the age of four and skipped the second grade. She was always tought the importance of education and by the sixth grade she was enrolled in gifted classes. She learned french and gained knowledge at an accelerated pace so she decided to attend the first magnet school in Chicago for gifted students; [|Whitney M. Young Magnet High School]. There she was the student government treasurer and graduated in 1981 as salutatorian.

Michelle decided to attend [|Princeton University]. Michelle was discouraged by counselors and administrators in her decision to go there because they felt her scores were inadequate, but Michelle was accepted and graduated with a degree in Sociololgy with Kum Lade honors. Being one of the only students with a different ethinic background than her fellow classmates issus of race and diversity were brought to her attention.

After graduating, Michelle decided to pursue a degree in law at [|Harvard University]. Upon completion of Harvard's Law School she went on to work for Sidley& Austin's Law firm. She was an associate specializing in Marketing and intellectual property. In 1988 a new intern by the name of Barack Obamacame to work at the firm and Michelle was assigned to be his mentor. The fact that Michelle was Barack's mentor made her feel self -conscious. She even resisted when he asked her out because she felt it would be tacky and unprofessional. After a year of working at the firm Michelle told her mom she wanted to work on her law career and not focus on dating, but apparently Barack won Michelle over for they were married just four years later.

After a few years of working with Sidley&Austin Michelle decided her true calling was encouraging citizens to serve their communities. She served as assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago's city hall. She also became the founding executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies. In 1996, Michelle joined the [|University of Chicago]with a vision to bring campus and community together. As associate dean of student of student services she developed the university's first community service program.

Michelle Obama continues to reach new heights as the first African American first lady. She looks forward to continuing her work on the many issues that are close to her heart while remaining a prominent figure in her home with her two daughters Malia,10, and Sasha,7. She is role model for all women of all nationalities and backgrounds due to her success and a career woman, wife, and mother.
 * Citations**

"Michelle Obama-Biography." __Squidoo__ 2009 22 Feb 2009 . "First Lady Michelle Obama." __The Administration__ 2009 22 Feb 2009 . "Michelle Obama." __Chicago Tribune__ Dec. 2008 22 Feb 2009 <"First Lady Michelle Obama." The Administration 2009 22 Feb 2009. >.