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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.

“I think that people are tired. They're tired of the same old kind of politics. People want a new tone to politics.”

— Michelle Obama

Politics

All Quotes by Michelle Obama

“Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if it feels like your own.”

— Michelle Obama

Success

“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 know what it feels like to struggle to get the education that you need.”

— Michelle Obama

Education

“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

“We learned about dignity and decency - that how hard you work matters more than how much you make... that helping others means more than just getting ahead yourself.”

— Michelle Obama

Work

“For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction.”

— Michelle Obama

Change

“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

“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

“Clearly this is a tough economic time, and a lot of families are hurting. So when we talk to parents, we talk about small changes for kids and things that don't cost extra money. Like adding water and eliminating sugary drinks and sodas. That's going to save money right there. Or adding a few more vegetables.”

— Michelle Obama

Money

“The fact is, with every friendship you make, and every bond of trust you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world. That is so important. So when you study abroad, you're actually helping to make America stronger.”

— Michelle Obama

Friendship

“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

“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

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

— Michelle Obama

Family

“The truth is, in order to get things like universal health care and a revamped education system, then someone is going to have to give up a piece of their pie so that someone else can have more.”

— Michelle Obama

Education

“I'm not asking any of you to make drastic changes to every single one of your recipes or to totally change the way you do business. But what I am asking is that you consider reformulating your menu in pragmatic and incremental ways to create healthier versions of the foods that we all love.”

— Michelle Obama

Business

“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

“The problem is when that fun stuff becomes the habit. And I think that's what's happened in our culture. Fast food has become the everyday meal.”

— Michelle Obama

Food

“When I get up and work out, I'm working out just as much for my girls as I am for me, because I want them to see a mother who loves them dearly, who invests in them, but who also invests in herself. It's just as much about letting them know as young women that it is okay to put yourself a little higher on your priority list.”

— Michelle Obama

Women

“And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values, like you work hard for what you want in life. That your word is your bond that you do what you say you're going to do. That you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them and even if you don't agree with them.”

— Michelle Obama

Life

“Women in particular need to keep an eye on their physical and mental health, because if we're scurrying to and from appointments and errands, we don't have a lot of time to take care of ourselves. We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own 'to do' list.”

— Michelle Obama

Health