Dear Michelle,

Thank you. Thank you for eight wonderful years of inspiring speeches, fiery feminism, and beautiful fashion. Thank you for your work within our schools to ensure every student has access to healthy food and exercise time. You are never afraid to speak your mind. You stand up for what's right, even when you face opposition. Thank you for sharing your family with us. I can't tell you how refreshing it is to see the human side of our President without political affiliation. Thank you for letting us grow alongside your daughters as they have become such strong, beautiful women. I love to see families that work, families that inspire you to become closer with your own family members. You all handle yourselves with such grace and dignity, never letting opposition our outright rudeness deter you from remaining kind.

As a young girl, I can remember watching you speaking at different events and thinking to myself, “I want to be just like her.” An overwhelming sense of confidence and poise radiated from your entire being. You were such a joy to watch. I want to thank you specifically for a recent speech that you made on behalf of Hillary Clinton.Thank you for standing up for the dignity and respect of women everywhere. We are so quick to point fingers at other countries that disrespect women and restrict their rights. But even within our own country, derogatory and vulgar rhetoric is being spewed left and right not only from our citizens, but from our politicians. Donald Trump wasn’t the first one and he unfortunately will most likely not be the last to use offensive language that degrades woman, but I appreciate that you spoke to every woman in America and let us know that we do not, under any circumstances, deserve to be spoken to in such a demeaning way.

Thank you for showing women that it is perfectly acceptable for a young woman to be educate and to be proud of being educated. So many of us struggle with trying not to sound too smart or too dumb around men in order to impress them. We can love our brains and challenge ourselves to be the best students out there. We shouldn’t be ashamed of reading a book about history or studying computer science. We need to encourage more women to study STEM and become more present and involved in male dominated industries. We need more women running for political office. Our voices need to be heard, and you are allowing for us to be heard. You are the first step in a long journey of equality.

Thank you for showing me that it is okay to love myself, even with my flaws and that I should be proud of where I come from and even more proud of where I am going.

Thank you for being human. Thank you for being you.

With love,

Brooke