Woman of the Week: Michelle Obama

Photo credit: Official White House Photo

Name: Michelle Robinson Obama, J.D.
Age: 47
Occupation: Current First Lady, Founder of the "Let's Move" campaign, former Lawyer
Why we love her: Its no secret that I love Michelle Obama. She has been intriguing to me ever since her Mr. Obama stepped on the scene as a young politician. But the more she has been in the spot-light the more reasons emerge why she is a fantastic role model for women the country over.  Prior to first-lady-dom Ms. Obama led an incredibly successful career, first with a legal firm but later in a variety of community-development arenas. Her ability to be a powerful career woman while developing a family is astounding in its own right.
      But clearly her accomplishments continue to shine through in her work as first lady. Ms. Obama strongly but subtly supports the American fashion industry with her wardrobe selection, supporting young American designer like Jason Wu and Peter Som in addition to larger companies like JCrew. Through her sartorial choices Ms.Obama stands in the public eye as pulled-together, stylish, but friendly and approachable. Her look is professional yet individualistic, and is chronicled through many a fashion blog (my favorite being mrs-o.org).
     If this were not reason enough to find her impressive Ms.Obama's "Let's Move" campaign is the icing on the cake. She has spearheaded an initiative to teach America's youth the value in good eating habits and good exercise, targeting the spreading obesity in our country. But I believe there is another value in the concept of "Let's Move" that is more pertinent to this blog: that by educating youth about healthy eating and exercise Ms.Obama is acting as a role model for young girls to learn about healthy body images and consumer habits. She is not only starting this campaign, she is the icon of it; she demonstrates that despite a busy life with work and family and other problems (like, oh...world politics) it is possible to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Cheers to you Ms. Obama!