Obama Michelle - Michelle Obama, a biography

A Biography

Alma Halbert Bond

Copyright 2012 by Alma Halbert Bond

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bond, Alma Halbert.

Michelle Obama, a biography / Alma Halbert Bond.

p. cm. (Greenwood biographies)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-0-313-38104-1 (hardcopy : alk. paper) ISBN 978-0-313-38105-8 (ebook) 1. Obama, Michelle, 19642. Presidents spousesUnited StatesBiography. 3. African American womenBiography. 4. Chicago (Ill.)Biography. I. Title.

E909.O24B66 2012

973.932092dc23 [B] 2011043426

ISBN: 978-0-313-38104-1
EISBN: 978-0-313-38105-8

16 15 14 13 12 1 2 3 4 5

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This book is dedicated to my wise and handsome son,

Zane Phillip Bond,

who left us only too soon.

19512008

In response to school and library needs, ABC-CLIO publishes this distinguished series of full-length biographies specifically for student use. Prepared by field experts and professionals, these engaging biographies are tailored for students who need challenging yet accessible biographies. Ideal for school assignments and student research, the length, format, and subject areas are designed to meet educators requirements and students interests.

ABC-CLIO offers an extensive selection of biographies spanning all curriculum-related subject areas including social studies, the sciences, literature and the arts, history and politics, and popular culture, covering public figures and famous personalities from all time periods and backgrounds, both historic and contemporary, who have made an impact on American and/or world culture. The subjects of these biographies were chosen based on comprehensive feedback from librarians and educators. Consideration was given to both curriculum relevance and inherent interest. Readers will find a wide array of subject choices from fascinating entertainers like Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga to inspiring leaders like John F. Kennedy and Nelson Mandela, from the greatest athletes of our time like Michael Jordan and Lance Armstrong, to the most amazing success stories of our day like J. K. Rowling and Oprah.

While the emphasis is on fact, not glorification, the books are meant to be fun to read. Each volume provides in-depth information about the subjects life from birth through childhood, the teen years, and adulthood. A thorough account relates family background and education, traces personal and professional influences, and explores struggles, accomplishments, and contributions. A timeline highlights the most significant life events against an historical perspective. Bibliographies supplement the reference value of each volume.

Michelle Obama is a unique woman, as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. Mother, wife, lawyer, career woman, decent human being, her own person in every aspect, she is a superb role model for women of the 21st century. The fact that the president of the United States has Michelle for a wife is a bonus we could not have expected.

Michelle is not a political person, but a woman of whom one can say, What you see is what you get. She is honest, often brutally so, full of integrity, loving, kind, and an individual who cares deeply about her fellow human beings. She also has a great sense of humor. A few minutes before Barack gave the 2004 Democratic convention keynote address, he told Michelle his stomach was a bit queasy. Michelle looked him straight in the eye and said, Just dont screw it up, Buddy! He burst into laughter and was able to relax.

The following quote from her speech at the Women for Obama luncheon on April 18, 2007, is typical of Michelles philosophy of life and contains in miniature what she feels are the important issues that should guide the president of the United States:

We have spent the last decade talking a good game about family values, but I havent seen much evidence that we value women or family values.

All of our emotional and financial resources... as a country have been totally put into the war. We havent talked about domestic issues in about 10 years... There are no serious conversations about health care or education, or child care, or minimum wage. I mean, these are the basic issues that eat away at the family structure. So you cant just tell a family of four to suck it up and make it work.

That Michelle walks the walk of her philosophy of life is evident in how the Obamas spent Thanksgiving 2008. They took their daughters to work at a food bank on the day before the holiday, saying they wanted to show them the real meaning of Thanksgiving, especially when so many people are struggling and unable to have any dinner at all. They brought Malia and Sasha to join their parents in shaking hands and giving holiday wishes to hundreds of people who had been lined up for hours at the food bank on Chicagos South Side. Barack told reporters he wants his daughters to know how fortunate they are and to make certain they understand the importance of giving back to the community all they have received. Michelle said they want to give their children an understanding of the real meaning of giving and Thanksgiving. The Obamas took their children to work in the cold, when they could easily have gotten aides to hand out the gifts, and taught the girls they are, first and foremost, human beings, not just the kids of a VIP. Let us all learn how to raise our children from the example set by the Obamas.

As first lady, Michelle continues her efforts for community service in a big way. As part of a high-profile effort to spark volunteer work during the summer, Michelle led top members of the Obama administration in fanning out across the country to participate in community service projects.

What better example could there be for the children of America, both black and white? Because Michelle is the kind of person she iswarm, genuine, loving, and caringshe will help heal the split between the races that has long plagued America. Because she is irresistible. Because to know her is to love her.