Dear First Lady Michelle Obama,

You have an exquisite wardrobe and many articles have been written about your iconic fashion choices but that’s not why I admire you. In the media women are described as warm, loving, adjectives that speak to their personality but not to their accomplishments. If a woman however has the same ambition as a man she is described as bitchy and bossy. I would like to thank you for beginning to breakdown those stereotypes. While I have come across many websites that commend you for first and foremost being a mother each of them also speak about how you went up against the food industry to provide healthier foods for publics schools across America. I remember being in middle school when my school no longer served nachos and soft pretzels every day. Then all of a sudden even our pizza was made on whole wheat bread. At the time I was pretty upset that I couldn’t have my nachos and sunny D for lunch anymore. Since then I’ve realized what a feat those changes were in the battle against childhood obesity.

You have become an inspiration to young females across the country in particular black females. I feel overwhelmed with emotions when I read about how you would sit down individually with young women to discuss ways to achieve a higher education. President Obama’s campaign was centered around the idea of hope and as an entire family you have given hope to a nation. You gave hope to black families knowing that despite the discrimination they face that such a powerful position was held by a black man. Not only that, but you are part of the 35% of first ladies who have attended college. Throughout history the balance in power within the relationship between the President and the First Lady has not been equal. However, your accomplishments are not shadowed by your husband’s role as the President of the United States. You are your own person who is also married to one of the most influential men in the world. As equals you each have given hope to so many different groups of people.

Thank you First Lady Michelle Obama for empowering women, for creating a better future younger generations, for genuinely caring, for your humor.

Sincerely,

The people you've given hope