Heather E. Schwartz - Michelle Obama: Political Icon

Heather E. Schwartz

Lerner Publications Minneapolis

Copyright 2021 by Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

All rights reserved. International copyright secured. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc., except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review.

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Editor: Alison Lorenz Designer: Lindsey Owens

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Schwartz, Heather E., author.

Title: Michelle Obama : political icon / Heather E. Schwartz.

Description: Minneapolis : Lerner Publications, [2021] | Series: Boss Lady Bios (Alternator books) | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Audience: Ages | Audience: Grades | Summary: Former First Lady Michelle Obama is a lawyer, a best-selling author, and a powerful advocate for equal rights. From Chicago to Harvard, the White House and beyond, follow Obamas trailblazing and inspiring journey Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019036710 (print) | LCCN 2019036711 (ebook) | ISBN 9781541597075 (lib. bdg.) | ISBN 9781541599703 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Obama, Michelle, 1964Juvenile literature. | Presidents spousesUnited StatesBiographyJuvenile literature. | African American womenBiographyJuvenile literature. | LawyersIllinoisChicago BiographyJuvenile literature. | African American women lawyersIllinois ChicagoBiographyJuvenile literature. | Chicago (Ill.)BiographyJuvenile literature.

Classification: LCC E909.O24 S39 2021 (print) | LCC E909.O24 (ebook) | DDC 973.932092 [B]dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019036710

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019036711

Manufactured in the United States of America

1-47811-48251-10/22/2019

Table of Contents

Michelle Obama had worked hard, carefully crafting her message. Shed practiced her speech over and over. On August 25, 2008, her brother, Craig, introduced her to the vast audience of the Democratic National Convention. About twenty thousand people sat crowded inside the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, waiting to hear her words. Thousands more watched on their TV sets at home.

Taking the Stage

Michelle Obama addresses the Democratic National Convention in 2008.

Obama strode across the stage, stepped up to the microphone, and began to speak. Her speech was in support of her husband, Barack, who was running for president. But it was also an opportunity to speak for herself.

It was a big moment, for sure.... But the truth is... it was also strangely kind of a small moment, she wrote later. Stages, audiences, lights, applause. These were becoming more normal than Id ever thought they could be.

Obama was already growing into the role she would soon claim: First Lady of the United States of America.

Obama spoke about her upbringing and experiences during her speech.