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Michelle Obama

39 quotes

Michelle Obama (born 1964) is an American attorney and author who served as First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, she has championed education, healthy living, and women's empowerment. Her memoir *Becoming* became one of the bestselling books of all time.

“Together, we can help make sure that every family that walks into a restaurant can make an easy, healthy choice.”

— Michelle Obama

Family

All Quotes by Michelle Obama

“There are still many causes worth sacrificing for, so much history yet to be made.”

— Michelle Obama

History

“As a mom, I know it is my responsibility, and no one else's, to raise my kids. But we have to ask ourselves, what does it mean when so many parents are finding their best efforts undermined by an avalanche of advertisements aimed at our kids.”

— Michelle Obama

Best

“And I love that even in the toughest moments, when we're all sweating it - when we're worried that the bill won't pass, and it seems like all is lost - Barack never lets himself get distracted by the chatter and the noise. Just like his grandmother, he just keeps getting up and moving forward... with patience and wisdom, and courage and grace.”

— Michelle Obama

Courage

“And I come here as a daughter, raised on the South Side of Chicago - by a father who was a blue-collar city worker and a mother who stayed at home with my brother and me.”

— Michelle Obama

Home

“When it comes to the health of our families, Barack refused to listen to all those folks who told him to leave health reform for another day, another president. He didn't care whether it was the easy thing to do politically - that's not how he was raised - he cared that it was the right thing to do.”

— Michelle Obama

Health

“I am so tired of fear. And I don't want my girls to live in a country, in a world, based on fear.”

— Michelle Obama

Fear

“I've seen firsthand that being president doesn't change who you are. It reveals who you are.”

— Michelle Obama

Change

“You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world's problems at once but don't ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.”

— Michelle Obama

Courage

“I love that for Barack, there is no such thing as 'us' and 'them' - he doesn't care whether you're a Democrat, a Republican, or none of the above... he knows that we all love our country... and he's always ready to listen to good ideas... he's always looking for the very best in everyone he meets.”

— Michelle Obama

Best

“And let's be clear: It's not enough just to limit ads for foods that aren't healthy. It's also going to be critical to increase marketing for foods that are healthy.”

— Michelle Obama

Diet

“We learned about honesty and integrity - that the truth matters... that you don't take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules... and success doesn't count unless you earn it fair and square.”

— Michelle Obama

Learning

“We can make a commitment to promote vegetables and fruits and whole grains on every part of every menu. We can make portion sizes smaller and emphasize quality over quantity. And we can help create a culture - imagine this - where our kids ask for healthy options instead of resisting them.”

— Michelle Obama

Health

“I love that we can trust Barack to do what he says he's going to do, even when it's hard - especially when it's hard.”

— Michelle Obama

Trust

“We learned about gratitude and humility - that so many people had a hand in our success, from the teachers who inspired us to the janitors who kept our school clean... and we were taught to value everyone's contribution and treat everyone with respect.”

— Michelle Obama

Respect

“I am desperate for change - now - not in 8 years or 12 years, but right now.”

— Michelle Obama

Change

“I like to talk about my obsession with french fries because I don't want people to think that 'Let's Move' is about complete, utter deprivation. It's about moderation and real-life changes and ideas that really work for families.”

— Michelle Obama

Work

“See, that's why Barack's running: to end the war in Iraq responsibly - to build an economy that lifts every family, to make sure health care is available for every American - and to make sure that every child in this nation has a world-class education all the way from preschool to college.”

— Michelle Obama

Education

“I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them. I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity.”

— Michelle Obama

Life

“Like so many American families, our families weren't asking for much. They didn't begrudge anyone else's success or care that others had much more than they did... in fact, they admired it.”

— Michelle Obama

Success

“And in my own life, in my own small way, I've tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us - no matter what our age or background or walk of life - each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation.”

— Michelle Obama

Age