Table of Contents
MICHELLE
OBAMA
ISBN: 978-1-5081-4812-8
TITLES IN THIS SERIES
HILLARY CLINTON
KATE MIDDLETON
MALALA YOUSAFZAI
MELINDA GATES
MICHELLE OBAMA
RUTH BADER GINSBURG
Sarah Machajewski
ROSEN / PowerKids Press
MICHELLE OBAMA SARAH MACHAJEWSKI
MICHELLE
OBAMA
Sarah
Sarah Machajewski
New York
Published in 2017 by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
29 East 21st Street, New York, NY 10010
Copyright 2017 by The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from
the publisher, except by a reviewer.
First Edition
Editor: Katie Kawa
Book Design: Reann Nye
Photo Credits: Cover, pp. 132 (halftone pattern) Solomin Andrey/Shutterstock.com; cover,
p. 1 Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News/Getty Images; pp. 5, 9 Mark Wilson/
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Machajewski, Sarah, author.
Michelle Obama / Sarah Machajewski.
pages cm. (Superwomen role models)
Includes index.
ISBN 978-1-5081-4831-9 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-1-5081-4777-0 (6 pack)
ISBN 978-1-5081-4812-8 (library binding)
1. Obama, Michelle, 1964Juvenile literature. 2. Presidents spousesUnited StatesBiographyJuve-
nile literature. 3. African American women lawyersIllinoisChicagoBiographyJuvenile literature. 4.
African American womenBiographyJuvenile literature. I. Title.
E909.O24M33 2016
973.932092dc23
[B]
2015029599
Manufactured in the United States of America
CPSIA Compliance Information: Batch #BS16PK: For Further Information contact Rosen Publishing, New York, New York at 1-800-237-9932
I LIKED BEING SMART ......................... 4
FAMILY FIRST .................................. 6
A SMART STUDENT ............................. 8
COLLEGE YEARS ..............................
HARVARD LAW SCHOOL ........................
SERVING OTHERS ............................
THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL ..........................
THE FIRST LADY ...............................
BECOMING A ROLE MODEL ....................
LETS MOVE! ...................................
SUPPORTING AMERICAS HEROES .............
#REACHHIGHER ..............................
A TRUE ROLE MODEL ..........................
GLOSSARY ....................................
INDEX ........................................
WEBSITES ....................................
contents
In April 2009, Michelle Obama visited a school in
England. Speaking to a group of young women about her
own education, she said, I never cut class. I loved getting
As. I liked being smart. I liked being on time. I thought
being smart is cooler than anything in the world.... You,
too, with these values can control your own destiny . This
determined attitude has followed Michelle from her time as
a student in Chicago, Illinois, all the way to her role as the
First Lady of the United States.
Michelle has been in the public eye since 2007, when
her husband, Barack Obama, announced he was running
for president. Since then, she has used her position to draw
attention to important causes and issues, becoming one
of todays superwomen role models.
I LIKED BEING SMART
Michelle travels to schools around the world to
give speeches on the importance of education.
Before she was Michelle Obama, she was Michelle
LaVaughn Robinson. She was born on January 17, 1964,
in Chicago. Michelle grew up in the citys South Shore
neighborhood. Her father, Fraser, was a pump operator
for the Chicago Water Department. Her mother, Marian,
was a stay-at-home mom. Michelle also has an older
brother, Craig.
Fraser Robinson suffered from multiple sclerosis ,
which is a serious disease. However, he hardly ever missed
work; he was determined to support and provide for his
family. Michelle has said her parents example taught her the
value of hard work. Despite not
having much money, Fraser and
Marian Robinson worked hard
to give their children a better
life by sending them to college.
That has stayed with Michelle
her whole life.
FAMILY FIRST
In Her Words
Barack and I were both raised
by families who didnt have much
in the way of money or material
possessions but who had given us
something far more valuabletheir
unconditional love, their uninching
sacrice, and the chance to go
places they had never imagined for
themselves.
Democratic National Convention
speech, delivered in Charlotte, North
Carolina, on September 4, 2012
Fraser Robinson died in 1991. Michelle remains
close to her mother, who moved into the White
House after Barack Obama became president.
Marian Robinson
Michelle was a very smart child. She learned to read
by the time she was four years old, and she was an excellent
student who attended Chicago public schools. She attended
what was then called Bryn Mawr Elementary School in
Chicago. Michelle did so well in school that she was able to
skip second grade. When she was in sixth grade, Michelle
was chosen to be part of a program that let advanced
students take classes at a nearby community college.
Michelle started high school in 1977. She attended
Chicagos rst magnet school. Magnet schools are public
schools that offer special programs and classes. Michelles
high school focused on preparing students for college. She
joined the National Honor Society and was treasurer of the
student council.
A SMART STUDENT
Michelle succeeded in school at a time when African
American students didnt have as many educational
opportunities as white students. Her determination in
the face of adversity opened many doors for her.
Michelle did so well in high school that she was
accepted to Princeton University in 1981. She left Chicago
and headed to New Jersey to continue her education at this
famous school.
The hard-working spirit Michelle grew up with followed
her to Princeton. She studied sociology and African
American studies. She also worked part-time with children
