Original subtitles

There are a few first ladies

there are a few first ladies who really are milestones,

who really are milestones, cultural milestones.

Cultural milestones. Who help US understand what's

who help US understand what's going on in larger society.

Going on in larger society. It took me some time doing a

it took me some time doing a little dreaming to be standing

little dreaming to be standing right here today.

Right here today. She hasn't forgotten that

she hasn't forgotten that journey and the challenges that

journey and the challenges that she faced.

She faced. In this great country, where

in this great country, where a girl from the south side of

a girl from the south side of Chicago can go to college and

Chicago can go to college and law school and the son of a

law school and the son of a single mother from Hawaii can go

single mother from Hawaii can go all the way to the white house.

All the way to the white house. It's the idea that you can

it's the idea that you can break through.

Break through. That much more is possible than

that much more is possible than you might have thought.

You might have thought. Michelle still carries that

Michelle still carries that forward.

Forward. Every time she walks into a

every time she walks into a room.

Room. When you've worked hard and

when you've worked hard and done well and walked through

done well and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you

that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you.

Do not slam it shut behind you. No, you reach back and you give

no, you reach back and you give other folks the same chances

other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.

That helped you succeed. From the moment they enter

from the moment they enter into the white house, it becomes

into the white house, it becomes historic.

Historic. But this is also a

but this is also a representation of Americans'

representation of Americans' better selves.

Better selves. That is the story of this

that is the story of this country.

Country. The story that has brought me to

the story that has brought me to this stage tonight.

This stage tonight. The story of generations of

the story of generations of people who felt the lash of

people who felt the lash of bondage, the shame of servitude,

bondage, the shame of servitude, the sting of segregation, but

the sting of segregation, but who kept on striving and hoping

who kept on striving and hoping and doing what needed to be

and doing what needed to be done.

Done.

So don't let anyone ever tell

so don't let anyone ever tell you that this country isn't

you that this country isn't great, that somehow we need to

great, that somehow we need to make it great again.

Make it great again. Because this right now is the

because this right now is the greatest country on earth.

Greatest country on earth.

When you were little, did you ever want to be the first lady?

Ever want to be the first lady? No, I didn't.

No, I didn't. I didn't know I could be the

I didn't know I could be the first lady.

First lady. Sometimes you can only be what

sometimes you can only be what you know exists in the world.

You know exists in the world. And no one like me was ever the

and no one like me was ever the first lady of the United States.

First lady of the United States.

All first ladies are thrust

all first ladies are thrust into the spotlight, but Michelle

into the spotlight, but Michelle Obama will be scrutinized more

Obama will be scrutinized more intensely than any of her

intensely than any of her predecessors.

Predecessors. We talk about civil rights

we talk about civil rights history, we talk about the

history, we talk about the series of firsts.

Series of firsts. This is within our lifetime.

This is within our lifetime. Are you prepared to take the

are you prepared to take the oath, senator?

Oath, senator? I am.

I am. It took my breath away.

It took my breath away. And I thought, my gosh, this

and I thought, my gosh, this is really happening.

Is really happening. I stand here today humbled by

I stand here today humbled by the task before US.

The task before US. The sea of humanity spread as

the sea of humanity spread as far as the eye can see.

Far as the eye can see. Mindful of the sacrifices

mindful of the sacrifices born by our ancestors.

Born by our ancestors. The reality of what they were

the reality of what they were about to embark on must have

about to embark on must have been very, very vivid for her at

been very, very vivid for her at that moment.

That moment. Michelle traveled farther and

Michelle traveled farther and overcame more on her journey to

overcame more on her journey to the white house than any first

the white house than any first lady before her.

Lady before her. She knew that she was making

she knew that she was making history and that her movements

history and that her movements would be scrutinized ten times,

would be scrutinized ten times, 100 times more than any other

100 times more than any other first lady.

First lady. Everything that Michelle

everything that Michelle Obama has been doing in her life

Obama has been doing in her life has really been preparing her to

has really been preparing her to walk this tightrope.

Walk this tightrope. Michelle was integral to

Michelle was integral to Barack Obama's presidential

Barack Obama's presidential campaign from the beginning.

Campaign from the beginning. So we're looking forward to

so we're looking forward to the first day of school.

The first day of school. Welcome back.

Welcome back. I know that all the parents out

I know that all the parents out here are happy to have their

here are happy to have their kids out of their house.

Kids out of their house.

You can admit it.

You can admit it. Let's give a cheer for that.

Let's give a cheer for that. 15 months before the

15 months before the election, polls show Barack

election, polls show Barack Obama trailing Hillary Clinton

Obama trailing Hillary Clinton by double digits.

By double digits. We've got two beautiful

we've got two beautiful little girls and we have a

little girls and we have a wonderful life.

Wonderful life. Nothing would have been more

nothing would have been more disruptive than a decision to

disruptive than a decision to run for president of the united

run for president of the united states.

States. She knew enough about race in

she knew enough about race in america, about breaking

america, about breaking barriers, to know what that

barriers, to know what that would mean for her.

Would mean for her. That she would face constant

that she would face constant criticism, constant scrutiny.

Criticism, constant scrutiny. Who would raise their hand

who would raise their hand enthusiastically and say sign me

enthusiastically and say sign me up for that?

Up for that? You know the reason why I

you know the reason why I said yes was because I am tired

said yes was because I am tired of being afraid.

Of being afraid.

The game of politics is to make

the game of politics is to make you afraid so that you don't

you afraid so that you don't think.

Think. We have a chance to make

we have a chance to make something real happen.

Something real happen. Think about that.

Think about that. And help US.

And help US. In schools, churches, county

in schools, churches, county fairs across Iowa, Michelle

fairs across Iowa, Michelle tells their story to voters

tells their story to voters month after month after month.

Month after month after month. For someone who avoided

for someone who avoided politics for much of her life,

politics for much of her life, she had to take a crash course.

She had to take a crash course. His political career was very

his political career was very separate from her.

Separate from her. Michelle has never publicly

Michelle has never publicly engaged in any of her husband's

engaged in any of her husband's political campaigns but she was

political campaigns but she was influential behind the scenes.

Influential behind the scenes. My first meaningful exchange

my first meaningful exchange with Michelle was when we were

with Michelle was when we were filming our first ad.

Filming our first ad. I'm Barack Obama.

I'm Barack Obama. I'm running for the united

I'm running for the united states senate and I approve this

states senate and I approve this message to say, yes, we can.

Message to say, yes, we can. He turned to me and said yes,

he turned to me and said yes, we can, yes, we can.

We can, yes, we can. Is that too corny?

Is that too corny? He turned to Michelle and said,

he turned to Michelle and said, what do you think?

What do you think? She said, not corny.

She said, not corny. So right away I saw where I

so right away I saw where I stood in the pantheon of

stood in the pantheon of strategic advisers.

Strategic advisers. But other than that, she was

but other than that, she was happy to keep her distance from

happy to keep her distance from all of it.

All of it. What many people don't know,

what many people don't know, she was actually the breadwinner

she was actually the breadwinner in the family.

In the family. Vice president of community

vice president of community affairs and outreach at the

affairs and outreach at the university of Chicago.

University of Chicago. That is a big job and it's a job

that is a big job and it's a job that she loved.

That she loved. It.

It. All changed, of course, when

all changed, of course, when he decided to run for president.

He decided to run for president. I said I'm not giving up my

I said I'm not giving up my career for my husband.

Career for my husband. I'm giving up my career because

I'm giving up my career because I'm passionate about this.

I'm passionate about this. When we started, we were

when we started, we were pretty casual about it because

pretty casual about it because Michelle was such an impressive

Michelle was such an impressive person and we thought she's

person and we thought she's going to kill out there.

Going to kill out there. Let me tell you a little bit

let me tell you a little bit about Michelle Obama.

About Michelle Obama. I'm a south side girl.

I'm a south side girl. Very simple.

Very simple. My parents were working class

my parents were working class folks.

Folks. What we saw in my household was

what we saw in my household was hard work and sacrifice first

hard work and sacrifice first hand.

Hand. She just told them her story.

She just told them her story. And her story is not that

and her story is not that different than half the people

different than half the people she would meet in Iowa.

She would meet in Iowa. She talked about her parents and

she talked about her parents and how she was raised.

How she was raised. My father had multiple

my father had multiple sclerosis.

Sclerosis. But he went to work every single

but he went to work every single day.

Day. He was never late and he never

he was never late and he never made excuses.

Made excuses. And then she moved into the

and then she moved into the Barack Obama years.

Barack Obama years. Mixed guy named Barack Obama

mixed guy named Barack Obama who grew up in Hawaii.

Who grew up in Hawaii. That's what I learned about him

that's what I learned about him on paper.

On paper. I thought this guy's got to be

I thought this guy's got to be weird.

Weird. She knows her husband

she knows her husband probably seems as unorthodox to

probably seems as unorthodox to her audiences as he did to her

her audiences as he did to her back in 1989.

Back in 1989. Michelle was involved in

Michelle was involved in recruiting a prominent law firm

recruiting a prominent law firm in Chicago.

In Chicago. Across her desk comes the resume

across her desk comes the resume of this hot shot from Harvard

of this hot shot from Harvard who is being brought in as a

who is being brought in as a summer associate.

Summer associate. The firm asked if she would be

the firm asked if she would be his mentor.

His mentor. She meets him the first day.

She meets him the first day. He shows up late but they hit it

he shows up late but they hit it off.

Off. At a certain point Barack is

at a certain point Barack is interested in something more.

Interested in something more. He wants to go out on a date.

He wants to go out on a date. She agrees.

She agrees. I learned that he became a

I learned that he became a community organizer.

Community organizer. I was impressed.

I was impressed. This guy could have been making

this guy could have been making money but he's working on the

money but he's working on the far south side what a bunch of

far south side what a bunch of churches.

Churches. The entrance of Barack Obama

the entrance of Barack Obama into her life really shifted

into her life really shifted where she was headed.

Where she was headed. I met Mrs. Obama in the

I met Mrs. Obama in the summer of 1991 when she was

summer of 1991 when she was Michelle Robinson.

Michelle Robinson. Her resume was sent to me.

Her resume was sent to me. It said a brilliant young lawyer

it said a brilliant young lawyer exploring opportunities of

exploring opportunities of public service.

Public service. I gave her a job offer on the

I gave her a job offer on the spot.

Spot. A few days later, she said, I

a few days later, she said, I have bad news.

Have bad news. My fiance doesn't think it's a

my fiance doesn't think it's a good idea.

Good idea. I said who is your fiance and

I said who is your fiance and what does it matter what he

what does it matter what he thinks?

Thinks? I think they were mature before

I think they were mature before their time.

Their time. There was not a step that he

there was not a step that he took without her sitting right

took without her sitting right there as well.

There as well. It was true partnership.

It was true partnership. In her memoir "becoming," she

in her memoir "becoming," she describes their wedding in

describes their wedding in October 1992.

October 1992. We stood there with our futures

we stood there with our futures still unwritten.

Still unwritten. Whatever was out there, we would

whatever was out there, we would step into it together.

Step into it together. 15 years later, their shared

15 years later, their shared future takes a dramatic turn.

Future takes a dramatic turn. Obama surges from behind to win

Obama surges from behind to win Iowa.

Iowa. Michelle's months on the stump

Michelle's months on the stump pay off.

Pay off. But now the couple must confront

but now the couple must confront a new kind of challenge.

A new kind of challenge. There were concerns about his

there were concerns about his security that were very real and

security that were very real and very dark.

Very dark. Barack Obama is given a

Barack Obama is given a security detail earlier than any

security detail earlier than any other presidential candidate in

other presidential candidate in history.

History. There was a resignation in

there was a resignation in the black community that you

the black community that you cannot rise up without being

cannot rise up without being shot down.

Shot down. We've seen what has happened

we've seen what has happened to iconic black leaders in

to iconic black leaders in america.

America. Med gar evers, Malcolm X,

med gar evers, Malcolm X, Dr. King.

Dr. King. If you come from the black

if you come from the black community, almost every hero you

community, almost every hero you read about was killed, and only

read about was killed, and only Michelle, who certainly had more

Michelle, who certainly had more to lose than the rest of US in

to lose than the rest of US in the risk he was taking, could

the risk he was taking, could reassure people that it was

reassure people that it was worth the risk.

Worth the risk. We need a Barack Obama

we need a Barack Obama presidency right now.

Presidency right now.

She would go in a room and

she would go in a room and she wouldn't leave the room

she wouldn't leave the room until every single person in

until every single person in that room was committed.

That room was committed. But because she was so

but because she was so effective, she came under

effective, she came under attack.

Attack. Hope is making a comeback.

Hope is making a comeback. It is making a comeback.

It is making a comeback. And for the first time in my

and for the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud

adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country.

Of my country. And not just because Barack has

and not just because Barack has done well, but because I think

done well, but because I think people are hungry for change.

People are hungry for change. It is an unfortunate

it is an unfortunate statement.

Statement. I don't think it came out the

I don't think it came out the way she intended.

Way she intended. In the words of desi arnaz, she

in the words of desi arnaz, she has some 'splaining to do.

Has some 'splaining to do. It's a tough time to be

it's a tough time to be black.

Black. To say we're on the verge of

to say we're on the verge of putting some of that behind US,

putting some of that behind US, she got smacked down hard for

she got smacked down hard for it.

It. I just want to make the

I just want to make the statement that I am and always

statement that I am and always will be proud of my country.

Will be proud of my country. A conversation we didn't need

a conversation we didn't need to have but apparently we do.

To have but apparently we do. This, ladies and gentlemen, is

this, ladies and gentlemen, is called the fist pound.

Called the fist pound. The reaction to the fist bump

the reaction to the fist bump was ridiculous.

Was ridiculous. Could they even be jihadists?

Could they even be jihadists? That's what one person

that's what one person suggested on fox news.

Suggested on fox news. One television network

one television network referred to her as Barack

referred to her as Barack Obama's baby mama.

Obama's baby mama. Michelle Obama was met with

Michelle Obama was met with every single negative stereotype

every single negative stereotype about African-American women.

About African-American women. And I think there were forces

and I think there were forces that felt if they assaulted her

that felt if they assaulted her enough, maybe she and her entire

enough, maybe she and her entire family would just go away.

Family would just go away. But they didn't.

But they didn't. I called her in to show her

I called her in to show her what people were seeing, and I

what people were seeing, and I turned the sound down and just

turned the sound down and just let her see herself.

Let her see herself. In a country, in a world

in a country, in a world based on fear --

based on fear -- she got it immediately.

She got it immediately. She was out on the campaign

she was out on the campaign trail getting more and more

trail getting more and more passionate and she had been so

passionate and she had been so effective that I didn't see that

effective that I didn't see that it was being perceived as angry.

It was being perceived as angry. The easy trope of the angry

the easy trope of the angry black woman, when in fact what

black woman, when in fact what she was displaying was passion.

She was displaying was passion. Nobody had taken the time to

nobody had taken the time to flag for her sooner that she has

flag for her sooner that she has to stop and pause and smile, or

to stop and pause and smile, or she has to use her hand gestures

she has to use her hand gestures in a different way.

In a different way. She felt like she had failed.

She felt like she had failed. And she wasn't used to failing.

And she wasn't used to failing. She had a choice to make.

She had a choice to make. Go back home and pick up life

go back home and pick up life with her children and her

with her children and her high-powered job, or did she

high-powered job, or did she just try to figure it out?

Just try to figure it out? In her memoir, Michelle

in her memoir, Michelle remembers the impact of that

remembers the impact of that moment.

Moment. This was a turnaround point.

This was a turnaround point. No one, I realized, was going to

no one, I realized, was going to look out for me unless I pushed

look out for me unless I pushed for it.

After a year and a half on the campaign trail, Michelle

the campaign trail, Michelle prepares for her national

prepares for her national debut.

Debut. For people, this would be

for people, this would be their first chance to really get

their first chance to really get to know her.

To know her. And I come here as a mom

and I come here as a mom whose girls are the heart of my

whose girls are the heart of my heart and the center of my

heart and the center of my world.

World. She practiced her stump over

she practiced her stump over and over and over again.

And over and over again. And that's who she is.

And that's who she is. She prepares.

She prepares. And Barack and I were raised

and Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values

with so many of the same values that you treat people with

that you treat people with dignity and respect even if you

dignity and respect even if you don't know them and even if you

don't know them and even if you don't agree with them.

Don't agree with them.

Her favorable rate jumped 20

her favorable rate jumped 20 points overnight.

Points overnight. Let's stand together to elect

let's stand together to elect Barack Obama president of the

Barack Obama president of the United States of America.

United States of America. Thank you.

Thank you. That was a real watershed

that was a real watershed event in her public life.

Event in her public life. Michelle has survived a

Michelle has survived a political trial by fire and

political trial by fire and emerges a star.

Emerges a star. Malia, Sasha, how do you

Malia, Sasha, how do you think mom did?

Think mom did? I think she did good.

I think she did good. Boosting her husband's

boosting her husband's popularity as well as her own.

Popularity as well as her own. I think so too.

I think so too. And here we are.

And here we are. Now CNN can project at 11:00

now CNN can project at 11:00 eastern time, that Barack Obama

eastern time, that Barack Obama is the next president of the

is the next president of the United States, the first

United States, the first African-American president in

African-American president in u.S. History.

U.s. History. It feels like something

it feels like something really big and bold has happened

really big and bold has happened here.

Here. Like nothing ever in our life

like nothing ever in our life times did we expect this to

times did we expect this to happen.

Happen. I would not be standing here

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding

tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for

support of my best friend for the last 16 years.

The last 16 years. In her memoir, Michelle

in her memoir, Michelle describes that night.

Describes that night. The love of my life --

the love of my life -- it felt like her family got

it felt like her family got launched out of a Cannon into

launched out of a Cannon into some strange underwater

some strange underwater universe.

Universe. The nation's next first lady,

the nation's next first lady, Michelle Obama.

Michelle Obama.

I still get verklempt

I still get verklempt thinking about what it meant,

thinking about what it meant, that image of this splendid

that image of this splendid African-American family, now the

African-American family, now the first family of the country.

First family of the country. The next day, headlines said

the next day, headlines said change has come to america.

Change has come to america. And I remember thinking at the

and I remember thinking at the time, people will interpret that

time, people will interpret that headline in very different ways.

Headline in very different ways. On inauguration day, everyone

on inauguration day, everyone was celebrating, but there was

was celebrating, but there was in the back of everyone's mind,

in the back of everyone's mind, the fact in the morning, we were

the fact in the morning, we were going to come in to face an epic

going to come in to face an epic financial crisis, two wars, and

financial crisis, two wars, and more pressures than any

more pressures than any president had faced probably

president had faced probably since Franklin Roosevelt.

Since Franklin Roosevelt. And Michelle, the god's honest

and Michelle, the god's honest truth, I don't think

truth, I don't think she knew what she would make of

she knew what she would make of the position and it took her

the position and it took her some time to figure it out.

Some time to figure it out. There is, as Michelle puts

there is, as Michelle puts it, no handbook for incoming

it, no handbook for incoming first ladies.

First ladies. The role of the first lady is

the role of the first lady is a throwback.

A throwback. We set up the white house as a

we set up the white house as a royal court, in a way.

Royal court, in a way. And I think for Michelle Obama,

and I think for Michelle Obama, a modern woman, a career woman,

a modern woman, a career woman, to suddenly be the great man's

to suddenly be the great man's wife was an adjustment.

Wife was an adjustment. She describes the role as a

she describes the role as a strange kind of sidecar to the

strange kind of sidecar to the presidency.

Presidency. The first lady is not a job.

The first lady is not a job. Hillary Clinton learned that

Hillary Clinton learned that when she turned it into a job.

When she turned it into a job. We don't want that.

We don't want that. That's going too far.

That's going too far. She said the one that she

she said the one that she took the greatest inspiration

took the greatest inspiration from was Laura bush.

From was Laura bush. After a bruising campaign,

after a bruising campaign, Michelle is determined to

Michelle is determined to control her own message.

Control her own message. She starts with a simple

she starts with a simple statement, deeper than it first

statement, deeper than it first appears.

Appears. How would you define your

how would you define your role as first lady?

Role as first lady? You know, I joke that my

you know, I joke that my first job is going to be mom in

first job is going to be mom in chief because with little kids I

chief because with little kids I have to make sure that their

have to make sure that their feet are on the ground.

Feet are on the ground. Obviously she's going to be

obviously she's going to be mom in chief.

Mom in chief. She's not shy about being the

she's not shy about being the mom in chief.

Mom in chief. Describe her role more as

describe her role more as first lady.

First lady. She was concerned about her

she was concerned about her daughters but was also just a

daughters but was also just a savvy way of saying, don't

savvy way of saying, don't worry.

Worry. This isn't a twofer.

This isn't a twofer. I'm not here to make policy

I'm not here to make policy despite my executive experience.

Despite my executive experience. If I want to play the

if I want to play the traditional first lady role, I

traditional first lady role, I can play the traditional first

can play the traditional first lady role, but don't be fooled.

Lady role, but don't be fooled. In a country that consistently

in a country that consistently demonizes black mothers, welfare

demonizes black mothers, welfare queens, drug addicts, because of

queens, drug addicts, because of the decline of the black family.

The decline of the black family. A statement as simple as, i'm

a statement as simple as, i'm first mom and that's my

first mom and that's my priority, is something that is

priority, is something that is profound because it's something

profound because it's something that's been denied for black

that's been denied for black women for so long.

Women for so long. She decided that in creating

she decided that in creating her role as first lady, that she

her role as first lady, that she was always going to keep in mind

was always going to keep in mind the young Michelle Obama.

The young Michelle Obama. She says in her memoir, I grew

she says in her memoir, I grew up to the sound of striving.

Up to the sound of striving. That's what the south side of

that's what the south side of the Chicago was.

The Chicago was. One of the biggest receptacles

one of the biggest receptacles for people who were living

for people who were living Alabama and Mississippi.

Alabama and Mississippi. Michelle's great aunt and

Michelle's great aunt and great uncle bought a house on

great uncle bought a house on the south shore and invited

the south shore and invited Michelle's mother and father,

Michelle's mother and father, and of course, Michelle and

and of course, Michelle and Craig, who were then toddlers to

Craig, who were then toddlers to move in with them.

Move in with them. She grew up with cousins

she grew up with cousins around the corner and

around the corner and grandparents around the corner.

Grandparents around the corner. Her parents and grandparents

her parents and grandparents were ambitious, they were smart

were ambitious, they were smart but there were obstacles every

but there were obstacles every step of the way.

Step of the way. I grew up playing basketball

I grew up playing basketball with Michelle's older brother

with Michelle's older brother Craig.

Craig. They were shaped by the

they were shaped by the community.

Community. They were forged by the

they were forged by the community.

Community. And I think she acutely felt the

and I think she acutely felt the inequity in resources, the

inequity in resources, the inequity in education

inequity in education opportunity.

Opportunity. In many ways, Chicago is the

in many ways, Chicago is the place to create Michelle Obama.

Place to create Michelle Obama. It's a place that is undergirded

it's a place that is undergirded by a lot of the racial tensions

by a lot of the racial tensions in inequality that will shape

in inequality that will shape her viewpoint in the world.

Her viewpoint in the world. This is where Dr. King went

this is where Dr. King went and was defeated.

And was defeated. The poverty and the racism in

the poverty and the racism in Chicago is so profound that even

Chicago is so profound that even Dr. King can't move it an inch.

Dr. King can't move it an inch. I have never seen even in

I have never seen even in Mississippi and Alabama a mob as

Mississippi and Alabama a mob as hostile and hate-filled as I've

hostile and hate-filled as I've seen in Chicago.

Seen in Chicago. Chicago is a place where

Chicago is a place where politicians are corrupt and

politicians are corrupt and idealists go to get defeated.

Idealists go to get defeated. She grew up in the middle of all

she grew up in the middle of all that.

That. It had been a very long time

it had been a very long time it had been a very long time

it had been a very long time since politics had been a source

since politics had been a source of inspiration for anybody.

Of inspiration for anybody. For many, the obamas

for many, the obamas represent the triumph of

represent the triumph of inspiration of politics but her

inspiration of politics but her optimism is tempered by what she

optimism is tempered by what she calls the ugly red versus blue

calls the ugly red versus blue dynamic which has taken over

dynamic which has taken over Washington.

Washington. She goes to watch her husband

she goes to watch her husband give his first speech to a joint

give his first speech to a joint session of congress.

Session of congress. Members of congress, the

members of congress, the first lady of the United States.

First lady of the United States.

She's looking over this sea

she's looking over this sea as she describes it, a sea of

as she describes it, a sea of whiteness and maleness.

Whiteness and maleness. This is ceremonial.

This is ceremonial. But it's more than that.

But it's more than that. It's symbolic.

It's symbolic. Now is the time to act boldly

now is the time to act boldly and wisely.

And wisely. She is very aware of the body

she is very aware of the body language and the expressions of

language and the expressions of many Republicans in a way that

many Republicans in a way that their arms are crossed.

Their arms are crossed. In her memoir, Michelle

in her memoir, Michelle recalls that republican members

recalls that republican members of congress looked obstinate and

of congress looked obstinate and angry.

Angry. The American people expect to

the American people expect to US to build common ground.

US to build common ground. More than anything, she adds,

more than anything, she adds, it seemed they just wanted

it seemed they just wanted Barack to fail.

Barack to fail. Thank you and god bless you.

Thank you and god bless you. And may god bless you and the

and may god bless you and the United States of America.

United States of America. She watches as all the

she watches as all the Republicans remain seated but

Republicans remain seated but the first lady is being watched

the first lady is being watched as well.

As well. The next day she gets a lesson

the next day she gets a lesson about life in the spotlight.

About life in the spotlight. This may have been one of the

this may have been one of the most talked-about moments from

most talked-about moments from last night.

Last night. Michelle Obama and her

Michelle Obama and her sleeveless dress.

Sleeveless dress. Style over substance.

Style over substance. It's always unfair, but it was

it's always unfair, but it was especially unfair for Michelle

especially unfair for Michelle Obama because Jackie Kennedy

Obama because Jackie Kennedy wasn't criticized for completely

wasn't criticized for completely changing the look of the first

changing the look of the first lady.

Lady. With Michelle Obama showing a

with Michelle Obama showing a liking for the sleeveless look,

liking for the sleeveless look, even in winter, baring arms has

even in winter, baring arms has a whole new meaning inside the

a whole new meaning inside the beltway.

Beltway. The people zeroed in on her

the people zeroed in on her arms because they were not the

arms because they were not the arms of a fragile damsel who was

arms of a fragile damsel who was white.

White. Nonwhite Americans have for

nonwhite Americans have for years looked at a white first

years looked at a white first lady and were so able to say

lady and were so able to say that she represented them.

That she represented them. But I think it becomes much more

but I think it becomes much more challenging for some white

challenging for some white Americans to look at a black

Americans to look at a black first lady and see themselves in

first lady and see themselves in her.

Her. Instead, they simply saw her as

instead, they simply saw her as an alien.

Four months into the obamas' first term, Michelle takes her

first term, Michelle takes her first official trip abroad

first official trip abroad accompanying her husband to

accompanying her husband to London for the g-20 summit.

London for the g-20 summit. That level of scrutiny is

that level of scrutiny is unlike anything you have ever

unlike anything you have ever experienced and will ever

experienced and will ever experience.

Experience. Everything that's going on on

everything that's going on on camera could at any given point

camera could at any given point become a thing.

The first lady is a hugger. She hugs all kinds of people.

She hugs all kinds of people. She hugged the queen.

She hugged the queen. People clutched their pearls.

People clutched their pearls. The big deal is the queen is

the big deal is the queen is an almost sacred person.

An almost sacred person. Perhaps not known in the

perhaps not known in the republics.

Republics. The queen seemed fine.

The queen seemed fine. I think she hugged her back.

I think she hugged her back. The queen made the first move.

The queen made the first move. For all I know, this is a break

for all I know, this is a break of white house protocol.

Of white house protocol. The next day while her

the next day while her husband huddles with other g-20

husband huddles with other g-20 leaders, the cameras follow

leaders, the cameras follow Michelle and she meets with

Michelle and she meets with their spouses.

Their spouses. But she wasn't going to go as

but she wasn't going to go as a figure head and a spouse.

A figure head and a spouse. She actually wanted to interact

she actually wanted to interact with real people.

With real people. And so Michelle makes a solo

and so Michelle makes a solo visit to a girls' school a few

visit to a girls' school a few miles across London but worlds

miles across London but worlds away from Buckingham Palace.

Away from Buckingham Palace. Everyone had rumors going

everyone had rumors going around, whispers on the

around, whispers on the playground.

Playground. I remember seeing snipers on

I remember seeing snipers on the roof and thinking, okay,

the roof and thinking, okay, this is someone really

this is someone really important.

Important. Please welcome to the stage

please welcome to the stage the first lady of the united

the first lady of the united states of america.

States of america.

Michelle writes, looking at

Michelle writes, looking at those London girls, I almost

those London girls, I almost felt myself falling backwards

felt myself falling backwards into my own past.

Into my own past. She said, I see myself in them.

She said, I see myself in them. And I'm not sure that we've

and I'm not sure that we've heard first ladies speak like

heard first ladies speak like that before.

That before. She grew up surrounded by a lot

she grew up surrounded by a lot of people who weren't able to go

of people who weren't able to go as far as their talents would

as far as their talents would take them.

Take them. They were placing all their

they were placing all their hopes and their dreams and their

hopes and their dreams and their children.

Children. You have to be stronger,

you have to be stronger, smarter, you have to be twice as

smarter, you have to be twice as good with half the resources.

Good with half the resources. And this is something that

and this is something that Michelle's family, her

Michelle's family, her community, her experiences

community, her experiences really instill in her.

Really instill in her. There's a little bit of

there's a little bit of vertigo in that, being told

vertigo in that, being told you're going to

you're going to bust through that glass ceiling

bust through that glass ceiling or burst through that wall and

or burst through that wall and take US forward.

Take US forward. All of are you jewels.

All of are you jewels. You are precious and you touch

you are precious and you touch my heart.

My heart. And it is important for the

and it is important for the world to know that there are

world to know that there are wonderful girls like you all

wonderful girls like you all over the world.

Over the world. She started reading her

she started reading her remarks, and then she stopped

remarks, and then she stopped reading her remarks and she just

reading her remarks and she just talked.

Talked. We are counting on every

we are counting on every single one of you to be the very

single one of you to be the very best that you can be.

Best that you can be. Because the world is big and

because the world is big and it's full of challenges.

It's full of challenges. And we need strong, smart,

and we need strong, smart, confident young women to stand

confident young women to stand up and take the reins.

Up and take the reins. We know you can do it.

We know you can do it. We love you.

We love you. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

That simple statement, I see

that simple statement, I see myself in them, there's so much

myself in them, there's so much in that, and not just saying

in that, and not just saying that, but then figuring out

that, but then figuring out thousand a-- how to act on that.

Thousand a-- how to act on that. My name is Alex acosta.

My name is Alex acosta. I'm 12 years old and I want to

I'm 12 years old and I want to ask what is your job as first

ask what is your job as first lady?

Lady? What's my job?

What's my job? I don't know, that's a good

I don't know, that's a good question.

Question. Every first lady is expected

every first lady is expected to have at least one crusade.

To have at least one crusade. Barbara bush, literacy.

Barbara bush, literacy. Nancy Reagan, say no to drugs.

Nancy Reagan, say no to drugs. What can do I that is useful

what can do I that is useful with this role?

With this role? Michelle wants to focus on

Michelle wants to focus on young people, but that still

young people, but that still leaves a lot of options.

Leaves a lot of options. Mrs. Obama set some ground

Mrs. Obama set some ground rules for US.

Rules for US. One was that there is only one

one was that there is only one elected person in the building

elected person in the building and that's the president.

And that's the president. So whatever we do should be in

so whatever we do should be in service of his agenda.

Service of his agenda. Because otherwise why are we

because otherwise why are we doing it?

Doing it? Michelle's crusade was to

Michelle's crusade was to empower children and their

empower children and their parents to eat better.

Parents to eat better. The president and congress

the president and congress are going to begin to address

are going to begin to address health care reform.

Health care reform. Nearly a third of the children

nearly a third of the children in this country are either

in this country are either overweight or obese.

Overweight or obese. There will be less of a

there will be less of a burden on health care if people

burden on health care if people did eat better.

Did eat better. The scope of Michelle's

the scope of Michelle's initiative is strategically

initiative is strategically masked by her simple opening

masked by her simple opening move which she describes as a

move which she describes as a harmless and innocent

harmless and innocent undertaking by a lady with a

undertaking by a lady with a spade.

Spade. Hi!

Hi! Elmo and his friends are here

elmo and his friends are here with someone very, very special,

with someone very, very special, the first lady, Mrs. Michelle

the first lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama.

Obama. Hi, everyone.

Hi, everyone. We're here digging up soil

we're here digging up soil because we're about to plant a

because we're about to plant a garden.

Garden. Get some shovels.

Get some shovels. Come on, rerts let's go let's

come on, rerts let's go let's go.

Go. I came to help do dinner but

I came to help do dinner but also help her develop a big

also help her develop a big health initiative.

Health initiative. When you have one in three kids

when you have one in three kids on track to have diabetes in

on track to have diabetes in their lifetime, it doesn't

their lifetime, it doesn't matter what we do with health

matter what we do with health care if we don't solve that side

care if we don't solve that side of the problem.

Of the problem. And the garden was step one.

And the garden was step one. When we were doing our first

when we were doing our first planting, there's kids running

planting, there's kids running around and you could hear all

around and you could hear all the cameras clicking constantly.

The cameras clicking constantly. She looked at me like, this

she looked at me like, this better work.

Better work. There they are.

There they are. It's all pretty cute.

It's all pretty cute. Of course we're all in favor of

of course we're all in favor of healthy eating, but is this

healthy eating, but is this really the best way got first

really the best way got first lady to use her considerable

lady to use her considerable influence?

Influence? Let's move!

Let's move! Let's move!

Let's move! Now to first lady Michelle

now to first lady Michelle Obama.

Obama. She's out promoting her let's

she's out promoting her let's move campaign and taking the

move campaign and taking the motto to heart.

Motto to heart. Every time we saw her jumping

every time we saw her jumping rope, playing football, hula

rope, playing football, hula hooping, all those fun things

hooping, all those fun things were very strategic

were very strategic ways that we were weaving in

ways that we were weaving in these values in our culture.

These values in our culture. Instead of just talking about

instead of just talking about this problem and wringing our

this problem and wringing our hands, it is time to do

hands, it is time to do something about this.

Something about this. Helping kids get healthier,

helping kids get healthier, that seems like a solvable

that seems like a solvable problem.

Problem. The United States was

the United States was entering a very partisan, very

entering a very partisan, very polarized environment.

Polarized environment. And even something as innocuous

and even something as innocuous as eating better became

as eating better became politicized.

Politicized. Many of Michelle's actions

many of Michelle's actions have been symbolic.

Have been symbolic. But when she openly supports a

but when she openly supports a legislative agenda, the gloves

legislative agenda, the gloves come off and the attacks ramp

come off and the attacks ramp up.

Up. 31 million American children

31 million American children participate in the federal

participate in the federal school meals program, and many

school meals program, and many of these kids consume as many as

of these kids consume as many as half their calories daily at

half their calories daily at school.

School. She has the audacity to say,

she has the audacity to say, maybe kids should eat good food.

Maybe kids should eat good food. Now, this strikes me as a

now, this strikes me as a noncontroversial thing for a mom

noncontroversial thing for a mom to say.

To say. We'll start by updating the

we'll start by updating the law that sets nutrition

law that sets nutrition standards for what our kids eat

standards for what our kids eat at school.

At school. And yet you would have

and yet you would have thought she was ushering in

thought she was ushering in stalinism through the lunch

stalinism through the lunch room.

Room. Who should be making

who should be making decisions, what you eat, school

decisions, what you eat, school choice?

Choice? Should it be the government or

should it be the government or the parents?

The parents? It should be the parents.

It should be the parents. There are conservative

there are conservative republican who's are always

republican who's are always looking for evidence that

looking for evidence that democrats want to tell them how

democrats want to tell them how to eat.

To eat. It is the nanny state.

It is the nanny state. It is not a nanny state.

It is not a nanny state. Some republican conservatives

some republican conservatives believe democrats would love the

believe democrats would love the federal government to be

federal government to be involved in all aspects of your

involved in all aspects of your life.

Life. It's no longer father knows

it's no longer father knows best or mother knows best.

Best or mother knows best. It's what government knows best.

It's what government knows best. Despite the pushback,

despite the pushback, Michelle stays on message.

Michelle stays on message. What we're doing is creating

what we're doing is creating a new normal where there just

a new normal where there just wasn't junk food in the schools.

Wasn't junk food in the schools. And 18 months after launching

and 18 months after launching her garden, she enjoys her

her garden, she enjoys her first legislative victory.

First legislative victory. The healthy hunger free kids act

the healthy hunger free kids act passes through the white house

passes through the white house with bipartisan support.

With bipartisan support. In December 2010, the president

in December 2010, the president signs it into law.

Signs it into law. My husband worked very hard

my husband worked very hard to make sure that this bill was

to make sure that this bill was a priority and I am grateful to

a priority and I am grateful to you.

You. Because I would have been

because I would have been sleeping on the couch.

Sleeping on the couch.

But I am thrilled to be here.

But I am thrilled to be here. We won't go into that.

We won't go into that.

Let's just say, got done.

Let's just say, got done. It's a big win but the food

it's a big win but the food industry fights back, doubling

industry fights back, doubling spending on lobbyists to

spending on lobbyists to undermine the law's

undermine the law's implementation.

Implementation. Well, now one of the first

well, now one of the first lady's major health initiatives

lady's major health initiatives is in jeopardy.

Is in jeopardy. They say pizza qualifies as a

they say pizza qualifies as a vegetable because it has two

vegetable because it has two table

table table

table tablespoons of tomato paste.

Tablespoons of tomato paste. There's a lot of money at

there's a lot of money at stake with selling people

stake with selling people unhealthy food.

Unhealthy food. Our top issue was to put into

our top issue was to put into main stream culture.

Main stream culture. That's what we did.

That's what we did. Michelle knows how the handle

Michelle knows how the handle the political fire that her

the political fire that her nutrition campaign draws, but

nutrition campaign draws, but personal attacks are different.

Personal attacks are different. When people started to hit

when people started to hit her, the family, it hit him.

Her, the family, it hit him. It hurt her.

It hurt her. The more confident she grows

the more confident she grows in her role, the more intense

in her role, the more intense these attacks become.

These attacks become. It was part of a strategy

it was part of a strategy it was a strategy that tapped

it was a strategy that tapped into a kind of nativism that we

into a kind of nativism that we see to t

In the beginning of the story, Barack Obama is the star.

Story, Barack Obama is the star. She's in the sidecar.

She's in the sidecar. But at a certain point in the

but at a certain point in the presidency, something changed.

Presidency, something changed. Ladies and gentlemen, please

ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Michelle Obama!

Welcome Michelle Obama! The first lady in recent

the first lady in recent memory who so many are

memory who so many are fascinated by.

Fascinated by. What she is, who she is, her

what she is, who she is, her fashions are real, at least they

fashions are real, at least they come across as real.

Come across as real. And it makes her a star in her

and it makes her a star in her own right.

Own right. Michelle embraces pop culture

Michelle embraces pop culture in a way that no other

in a way that no other first lady has ever double

first lady has ever double before.

Before. She's not a creature of D.C.

She's not a creature of D.C. she didn't consume cable news.

She didn't consume cable news. She consumed hgtv and Ellen.

She consumed hgtv and Ellen. She takes to TV and TV takes

she takes to TV and TV takes to her.

To her. Two years into the first

two years into the first term, Michelle steps into a

term, Michelle steps into a brave new world.

Brave new world. I just pressed tweet.

I just pressed tweet. Do I press this?

Do I press this? She is the first first lady

she is the first first lady in the age of social media.

In the age of social media. And that, too, has transformed

and that, too, has transformed the landscape.

The landscape. I did it.

I did it. Yay!

Yay! I'm pretty certain there was

I'm pretty certain there was some consternation about the use

some consternation about the use of social media by the east

of social media by the east wing.

Wing. Because it was not done.

Because it was not done. It was not in anybody's

it was not in anybody's playbook.

Playbook. There are all kinds of people

there are all kinds of people in the white house who are there

in the white house who are there to say no.

To say no. Don't do this.

Don't do this. Don't take a risk.

Don't take a risk. It's never been done before.

It's never been done before. Fairly run, people pay a lot

fairly run, people pay a lot of attention to what the first

of attention to what the first lady looks like, what the first

lady looks like, what the first lady is wearing.

Lady is wearing. And of course, what the first

and of course, what the first lady says.

Lady says. And you can easily see how a

and you can easily see how a phrase can be twisted around.

Phrase can be twisted around. As a lawyer, I was one of the

as a lawyer, I was one of the strong naysayers against the

strong naysayers against the president or first lady ever

president or first lady ever having a Twitter account.

Having a Twitter account. Because words matter.

Because words matter. Every presidential statement is

every presidential statement is heavily vetted.

Heavily vetted. But we had a young staff who

but we had a young staff who realized that social media

realized that social media was where a lot of the people we

was where a lot of the people we were trying to reach were going.

Were trying to reach were going. Don't waste your time trying

don't waste your time trying to connect with your kids via

to connect with your kids via email.

Email. That antiquated method is as

that antiquated method is as useless as morse code.

Useless as morse code.

If you really want to get their

if you really want to get their attention, use symbols, little

attention, use symbols, little symbols.

Symbols. The first lady was, in a

the first lady was, in a sense, the Guinea pig.

Sense, the Guinea pig. Can you do a little Dougie?

Can you do a little Dougie? Yeah.

Yeah. There we go.

There we go. The west wing came to realize

the west wing came to realize that there's an energy vortex in

that there's an energy vortex in the east wing that is a little

the east wing that is a little bit different than they'd seen

bit different than they'd seen in previous administrations.

In previous administrations. After seeing Michelle's

after seeing Michelle's success, the west wing follows

success, the west wing follows suit.

Suit. There it goes.

There it goes. My tweet has been posted.

My tweet has been posted. That's what I'm talking about.

That's what I'm talking about. They realized how incredibly

they realized how incredibly effective a medium social media

effective a medium social media was for getting the message

was for getting the message across.

Across. That's going viral.

That's going viral. Happy fourth of July,

happy fourth of July, everyone.

Everyone.

> Michelle now has a direct

Michelle now has a direct line to millions around the

line to millions around the country eager to hear her

country eager to hear her message.

Message. But social media is a two-way

but social media is a two-way street.

Street. Careful what you wish for.

Careful what you wish for. Social media allows people to

social media allows people to say things in a public square

say things in a public square that they normally wouldn't

that they normally wouldn't share at the lunch table.

Share at the lunch table. Now I'm going to think it, say

now I'm going to think it, say it and put it out for the whole

it and put it out for the whole world to read with the hash just

world to read with the hash just sayin'.

Sayin'. There's so much anger and pure

there's so much anger and pure hate every time a public person

hate every time a public person says anything.

Says anything. Did you see the picture of

did you see the picture of his wife yesterday?

His wife yesterday? Like she's her mama dressing

like she's her mama dressing up in little clothes.

Up in little clothes. The trolling that happened

the trolling that happened any time there was coverage of

any time there was coverage of her was unlike anything any

her was unlike anything any nader had faced before.

Nader had faced before. Michelle faced racism.

Michelle faced racism. There's no other way to describe

there's no other way to describe it.

It. She wasn't engaging, which

she wasn't engaging, which was the right thing to do.

Was the right thing to do. She would get up and really,

she would get up and really, really early in the morning and

really early in the morning and she would work out.

She would work out. And she uses that as a way to

and she uses that as a way to find the strength to take on

find the strength to take on life's challenges.

Life's challenges. That's who he's married to.

That's who he's married to. What does that tell you?

What does that tell you? Did you even see that

did you even see that picture?

Picture? I mean, what is that?

I mean, what is that? You could not go to a

you could not go to a reputable website, "the

reputable website, "the Washington post,"

Washington post," "the New York times," and look

"the New York times," and look at the comments section and

at the comments section and scroll down more than an inch

scroll down more than an inch and not see n-word, n-word,

and not see n-word, n-word, n-word, monkey, monkey, monkey

n-word, monkey, monkey, monkey on any article about Michelle

on any article about Michelle Obama.

Obama. Obama is trying to tell US --

Obama is trying to tell US -- she did that weird, fake

she did that weird, fake accent.

Accent. We're in this moment where a

we're in this moment where a good portion of the American

good portion of the American public declares we're in a

public declares we're in a post-racial america.

Post-racial america. And then to be hit wave after

and then to be hit wave after wave of just viciousness.

Wave of just viciousness. I'm focused on what's in

I'm focused on what's in front of me.

Front of me. She didn't blink.

She didn't blink. It is my responsibility to

it is my responsibility to work with all Americans.

Work with all Americans. And I want to stay focused on

and I want to stay focused on the work rather than, you

the work rather than, you know --

know -- other things.

Other things. Other things.

Other things. She tried to ignore most of

she tried to ignore most of it but you can't ignore all of

it but you can't ignore all of it.

It. I feel strongly about the

I feel strongly about the fact that Barack Obama should

fact that Barack Obama should provide the public with a birth

provide the public with a birth certificate.

Certificate. And he should do it soon.

And he should do it soon. Look, his birth certificate.

Look, his birth certificate. The birther movement was an

the birther movement was an excellent example of where

excellent example of where something was completely made up

something was completely made up and then used to try to incite

and then used to try to incite hate.

Hate. We're going to send Mr. Obama

we're going to send Mr. Obama home to Kenya or wherever it is.

Home to Kenya or wherever it is. We're going to do it.

We're going to do it. He's not even a citizen of

he's not even a citizen of the United States.

The United States. And they're hiding that.

And they're hiding that. One in four believe president

one in four believe president Obama definitely or probably was

Obama definitely or probably was not born in the United States.

Not born in the United States. It was ludicrous.

It was ludicrous. But at the same time, it was in

but at the same time, it was in keeping with something that was

keeping with something that was growing in the country.

Growing in the country. He was more than just finding

he was more than just finding a reason to disqualify Barack

a reason to disqualify Barack Hussein Obama.

Hussein Obama. It was about finding a reason to

it was about finding a reason to disqualify more than 10% of the

disqualify more than 10% of the American population.

American population. In her memoir, Michelle

in her memoir, Michelle describes these attacks as

describes these attacks as crazy and mean spirited, but

crazy and mean spirited, but also dangerous.

Also dangerous. I have to say that every

I have to say that every single day, it was in the back

single day, it was in the back of my mind that it just takes

of my mind that it just takes one crazy person.

One crazy person. She adds, what if someone

she adds, what if someone with an unstable mind loaded a

with an unstable mind loaded a gun and drove to Washington?

Gun and drove to Washington? What if that person went looking

what if that person went looking for our girls?

For our girls? This was something that

this was something that Michelle lived with in a really

Michelle lived with in a really intense way.

Intense way. Donald Trump, Michelle

Donald Trump, Michelle continues, with his loud and

continues, with his loud and reckless innuendos, was putting

reckless innuendos, was putting my family's safety at risk.

My family's safety at risk. And for this, I could never

and for this, I could never forgive him.

Forgive him. She understood the

she understood the consequences could be fatal for

consequences could be fatal for her husband, her children, for

her husband, her children, for herself.

One night in the first term Michelle has a dream, a man

Michelle has a dream, a man leads her family to the south

leads her family to the south lawn to see some animals he has

lawn to see some animals he has gathered for them to admire.

Gathered for them to admire. Michelle is apprehensive.

Michelle is apprehensive. Michelle lives day and night

Michelle lives day and night knowing that her family is a

knowing that her family is a target for violence.

Target for violence. Secret service, 1600

secret service, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Pennsylvania Avenue. I need to report shots fired on

I need to report shots fired on 17th and constitution northwest.

17th and constitution northwest. I think we were coming back

I think we were coming back from a trip to Hawaii.

From a trip to Hawaii. Somebody had shot a rifle from

somebody had shot a rifle from constitution Avenue into one of

constitution Avenue into one of the windows in what is known as

the windows in what is known as the yellow oval.

The yellow oval. Seven bullets hit the white

seven bullets hit the white house, one smashing a window by

house, one smashing a window by the living room.

The living room. Sasha and Michelle's mother are

Sasha and Michelle's mother are inside.

Inside. Foot pursuit of an individual

foot pursuit of an individual that fled from the vehicle.

That fled from the vehicle. A black Honda, ak 47 found in

a black Honda, ak 47 found in the vehicle.

The vehicle. The shooter proclaimed that

the shooter proclaimed that President Obama had to be

President Obama had to be stopped.

Stopped. The thought is that we could

the thought is that we could have been out on the Truman

have been out on the Truman balcony.

Balcony. Our children played all over.

Our children played all over. She had been assured it was

she had been assured it was safe out there.

Safe out there. That wasn't the only incident

that wasn't the only incident but she put her head down and

but she put her head down and trusted the men and women of the

trusted the men and women of the secret service to protect her

secret service to protect her children because she was not

children because she was not going to let undisciplined

going to let undisciplined people tell her how to lead her

people tell her how to lead her life ever.

Life ever. She was the first lady of the

she was the first lady of the United States.

United States. She was the first lady to all

she was the first lady to all people of the United States,

people of the United States, whether they liked her or not.

Whether they liked her or not. I now have the privilege of

I now have the privilege of introducing the star of the

introducing the star of the show, Michelle Obama.

Show, Michelle Obama. She writes "I understood it

she writes "I understood it was better for all of US not to

was better for all of US not to acknowledge the hate or dwell on

acknowledge the hate or dwell on the risk."

The risk." She threw open the doors at

she threw open the doors at the white house as a place where

the white house as a place where Americans were allowed to see

Americans were allowed to see themselves.

Themselves. Tonight's event is another

tonight's event is another way for US to open up the white

way for US to open up the white house and make it the peoples

house and make it the peoples house.

House. The idea of the people's

the idea of the people's house was not new.

House was not new. Andrew Jackson talked about the

Andrew Jackson talked about the white house as the people's

white house as the people's house.

House. After 9/11, the white house

after 9/11, the white house became a fortress.

Became a fortress. Michelle Obama calling it the

Michelle Obama calling it the peoples house was an effort to

peoples house was an effort to -- an element to move it

-- an element to move it forward.

Forward. Michelle said she wanted for

Michelle said she wanted for people who had never been to the

people who had never been to the white house be comfortable in a

white house be comfortable in a way.

Way. Just get comfortable here.

Just get comfortable here. Get comfortable with a little

get comfortable with a little greatness.

Greatness. We wanted to bring in diverse

we wanted to bring in diverse bodies and people and genders.

Bodies and people and genders. Everybody, we said come on in.

Everybody, we said come on in. If you think this day was

if you think this day was special and it is because we

special and it is because we think you all are special.

Think you all are special. Whether it is kids that got

whether it is kids that got in trouble before or college

in trouble before or college dropouts.

Dropouts. You belong right here in the

you belong right here in the white house.

White house. That is a game changer

that is a game changer because they can see themselves

because they can see themselves there in the future.

There in the future. Remember this moment and

remember this moment and remember the first lady of the

remember the first lady of the United States told US that you

United States told US that you can do anything that you want

can do anything that you want to.

To. The 2012 election is only a

the 2012 election is only a year away, and the president's

year away, and the president's approval rating is worrying low.

Approval rating is worrying low. But the first lady's popularity

but the first lady's popularity is soaring.

Is soaring. People responded to her.

People responded to her. She became far more popular than

she became far more popular than the president himself.

The president himself. So I get to speak first while

so I get to speak first while he stands and watches.

He stands and watches. I love this.

I love this. Look at me adoringly.

Look at me adoringly. One of the useful roles she

one of the useful roles she played in the white house was to

played in the white house was to keep him grounded.

Keep him grounded. She was part of a very

she was part of a very contemporary marriage.

Contemporary marriage. Not a marriage that served one

not a marriage that served one man's ego the way so many other

man's ego the way so many other white house marriages has.

White house marriages has. Heading towards the election,

heading towards the election, Americans are worried about the

Americans are worried about the economy and unemployment and

economy and unemployment and frustratedly gridlock in

frustratedly gridlock in Washington.

Washington. Re-elections are the

re-elections are the president's to lose.

President's to lose. There is a power that comes from

there is a power that comes from incumbency that is hard to

incumbency that is hard to defeat in American history.

Defeat in American history. He genuinely viewed her as a

he genuinely viewed her as a friend that had his interest at

friend that had his interest at heart and deep, deep insights.

Heart and deep, deep insights. Michelle was the president's

Michelle was the president's lifeline to humanity.

Lifeline to humanity. So many people had a hand in

so many people had a hand in our success, from the teachers

our success, from the teachers that inspired US to the janitors

that inspired US to the janitors that kept our school clean.

That kept our school clean. She had a common sense

she had a common sense quality that helped to ground

quality that helped to ground these lofty discussions.

These lofty discussions. Being president does not

being president does not change who you are.

Change who you are. No.

No. It reveals who you are.

It reveals who you are. That was enormously valuable.

That was enormously valuable. Let me tell you today, I love

let me tell you today, I love my husband even more than I did

my husband even more than I did four years ago or 23 years ago

four years ago or 23 years ago when we first met.

When we first met. Barack Obama comes from

Barack Obama comes from behind in the polls to secure a

behind in the polls to secure a definitive victory and a second

definitive victory and a second term as president.

Term as president. We often said the first

we often said the first election was aspirational.

Election was aspirational. The second was affirmational.

The second was affirmational. Watching the thousands of

watching the thousands of performers on inauguration day,

performers on inauguration day, Michelle does not know that one

Michelle does not know that one of them, a high school majorette

of them, a high school majorette from Chicago will drastically

from Chicago will drastically impact what she fights for in

impact what she fights for in her second terms -- term.

Her second terms -- term. Michelle Obama is returning to

Michelle Obama is returning to attend the funeral of a

attend the funeral of a 15-year-old, a bystander shot

15-year-old, a bystander shot dead in a Chicago park a week

dead in a Chicago park a week after performing at the

after performing at the president's inauguration.

President's inauguration. The 42nd person killed this

the 42nd person killed this month in the president's

month in the president's hometown.

Hometown. I ran Chicago public schools

I ran Chicago public schools for seven and a half years.

For seven and a half years. On average we had a child killed

on average we had a child killed every two and a half weeks due

every two and a half weeks due to gun violence.

To gun violence. No matter, no father should

no matter, no father should ever have to experience this.

Ever have to experience this. She was a straight a student

she was a straight a student and she was a casualty of a

and she was a casualty of a stray bullet walking home from

stray bullet walking home from school and Mrs. Obama knew it

school and Mrs. Obama knew it could have been her at any time

could have been her at any time as a little girl on the

as a little girl on the southside of Chicago.

Southside of Chicago. It affected her deeply.

It affected her deeply. We thank you and the other

we thank you and the other officials that have come to

officials that have come to comfort.

Comfort. A shooting on the streets of

a shooting on the streets of Chicago rarely sparks national

Chicago rarely sparks national outrage but a mass shooting in

outrage but a mass shooting in an elementary school does.

An elementary school does. The senate votes on two gun

the senate votes on two gun control bills brought about by

control bills brought about by the massacre at the Sandy hook

the massacre at the Sandy hook elementary school.

Elementary school. 90% backed the measures.

90% backed the measures. Both bills are defeated.

Both bills are defeated. It begs the question who are

it begs the question who are we here to represent?

We here to represent? So all in all, this was a pretty

so all in all, this was a pretty shameful day for Washington.

Shameful day for Washington. With the president's

with the president's legislative efforts blocked

legislative efforts blocked Michelle is tackling gun

Michelle is tackling gun violence the way that she knows

violence the way that she knows best.

Best. We read that story day after

we read that story day after day, month after month, year

day, month after month, year after year, in the city and

after year, in the city and around this country.

Around this country. While her husband was

while her husband was fighting his own battle about

fighting his own battle about gun rights and trying to reduce

gun rights and trying to reduce the number of guns falling into

the number of guns falling into hands, she used her own platform

hands, she used her own platform to talk about gun control.

To talk about gun control. I am not talking about

I am not talking about something happening in a war

something happening in a war zone halfway around the world.

Zone halfway around the world. I am talking about what is

I am talking about what is happening in the city that we

happening in the city that we call home.

Call home. To use her voice in a way

to use her voice in a way that would lift the young people

that would lift the young people up.

Up. Let me tell you it is hard to

let me tell you it is hard to know what to say to a room full

know what to say to a room full of teenagers that are about to

of teenagers that are about to Bury their best friend.

Bury their best friend. Michelle understood from a

Michelle understood from a very visceral and very personal

very visceral and very personal level how horrific the violence

level how horrific the violence was.

Was. She couldn't solve it by

she couldn't solve it by herself but she had to try and

herself but she had to try and create some hope and some

create some hope and some inspiration for kids in

inspiration for kids in community that were living on a

community that were living on a daily basis with a level of fear

daily basis with a level of fear and trauma that is unacceptable.

And trauma that is unacceptable. It's not right.

It's not right. What it takes to build I.

What it takes to build I. Michelle has been spending

Michelle has been spending time with young people

time with young people traumatized by gun violence, and

traumatized by gun violence, and they provide the motivation for

they provide the motivation for her next initiative.

Her next initiative. Every scar that you have is a

every scar that you have is a reminder not that just you got

reminder not that just you got hurt, but that you survived.

Hurt, but that you survived. It is about creating a sense

it is about creating a sense of opportunity.

Of opportunity. When that opportunity is unseen

when that opportunity is unseen instead of letting the

instead of letting the feelings defeat you, let it

feelings defeat you, let it motivate you.

Motivate you. She could have gone eight

she could have gone eight years and never talked about

years and never talked about education.

Education. There was probably no better

there was probably no better spokesman on the planet than her

spokesman on the planet than her for this issue.

For this issue. It was like a match made in

it was like a match made in heaven.

I never thought I would be at the white house trying to get

the white house trying to get approved a script for the first

approved a script for the first lady to do a rap video with

lady to do a rap video with someone from Saturday night

someone from Saturday night live.

Live. People were a little worried.

People were a little worried. Are we going to make Mrs. Obama

are we going to make Mrs. Obama look foolish?

Look foolish? Are people go to say that is not

are people go to say that is not what a first lady should be

what a first lady should be doing?

Doing? We get the edit back.

We get the edit back. People in the office were like I

people in the office were like I don't know, is this going to be

don't know, is this going to be okay?

Okay? I knew something was going right

I knew something was going right when it was trending in Italian

when it was trending in Italian and had 23 million views in 24

and had 23 million views in 24 hours.

Hours. Michelle's campaign is aimed

Michelle's campaign is aimed at kids who might think college

at kids who might think college is out of reach.

Is out of reach. Tell US where you are going

tell US where you are going next with the hashtag reach

next with the hashtag reach higher.

Higher. While the administration

while the administration offers grants, loans and tabs

offers grants, loans and tabs credits --

credits -- education is the economic

education is the economic issue of all time.

Issue of all time. Michelle's approach is more

Michelle's approach is more personal.

Personal. I want you all to succeed.

I want you all to succeed. I want you to understand how

I want you to understand how people like me go from being

people like me go from being kids like you to standing here

kids like you to standing here as first lady of the united

as first lady of the united states?

States? Mrs. Obama feels that sense

Mrs. Obama feels that sense of luck and the sense of

of luck and the sense of privilege.

Privilege. If I can do it, you can do

if I can do it, you can do it.

It. That is why she spent her

that is why she spent her life and her career trying to

life and her career trying to make sure everyone had the same

make sure everyone had the same opportunities she had.

Opportunities she had. She was visceral and

she was visceral and emotional and it stems from her

emotional and it stems from her own life experience.

Own life experience. I set my sights high.

I set my sights high. I decided I was going to

I decided I was going to Princeton.

Princeton. She was that public school

she was that public school kid who had a college counselor

kid who had a college counselor that she wasn't good enough to

that she wasn't good enough to get into Princeton.

Get into Princeton. They told me I would never

they told me I would never get into a school like

get into a school like Princeton.

Princeton. I still hear that doubt ringing

I still hear that doubt ringing in my head.

In my head. So if there is anybody telling

so if there is anybody telling you that you are not college

you that you are not college material, I want you to brush

material, I want you to brush them off, prove them wrong.

Them off, prove them wrong. This was not just some issue

this was not just some issue that was important to her.

That was important to her. This was her life story.

This was her life story. This defined her.

This defined her. This was who she was.

This was who she was. I remember it like it was

I remember it like it was yesterday.

Yesterday. And feeling like what am I doing

and feeling like what am I doing here.

Here. In her memoir, Michelle

in her memoir, Michelle recalls arriving at Princeton

recalls arriving at Princeton from the southside and feeling

from the southside and feeling like a pop see seed in a bowl of

like a pop see seed in a bowl of rice.

Rice. I never stood out in a crowd or

I never stood out in a crowd or a classroom because of the color

a classroom because of the color of my skin.

Of my skin. Princeton in 1981 was very

Princeton in 1981 was very white and until recently

white and until recently entirely male.

Entirely male. Princeton was a wonderful but

Princeton was a wonderful but not always welcoming

not always welcoming environment.

Environment. She was viewed as someone that

she was viewed as someone that there because of affirmative

there because of affirmative action and seen somewhat through

action and seen somewhat through suspicious eyes.

Suspicious eyes. When it came time for

when it came time for Michelle to write her senior

Michelle to write her senior thesis she said Princeton made

thesis she said Princeton made her more aware of her blackness

her more aware of her blackness than any time in her life and at

than any time in her life and at times she felt other students

times she felt other students saw her as a black person first

saw her as a black person first and student second.

And student second. Her thesis was very obvious

her thesis was very obvious about the way racial exclusion

about the way racial exclusion shapes educational experience.

Shapes educational experience. But during the 2008 campaign, it

but during the 2008 campaign, it was used to fuel a narrative

was used to fuel a narrative that Michelle Obama is racist,

that Michelle Obama is racist, anti-white, essentially angry.

Anti-white, essentially angry. It was gibberish.

It was gibberish. Boring.

Boring. Resentful.

Resentful. Slightly sinister.

Slightly sinister. Qualities in a white

qualities in a white potential first lady would have

potential first lady would have been celebrated.

Been celebrated. Deep curiosity, Ivy league

deep curiosity, Ivy league education.

Education. All of these qualities were

all of these qualities were degraded.

Degraded. Michelle's response to these

Michelle's response to these attacks is mirrored in the

attacks is mirrored in the message she shared with these

message she shared with these students, work harder, reach

students, work harder, reach higher.

Higher. Some young African-Americans are

some young African-Americans are being attacked by more than

being attacked by more than words.

Words. We begin with the latest in

we begin with the latest in the travyon Martin case.

The travyon Martin case. Unarmed teen, Michael brown.

Unarmed teen, Michael brown. Eric garner's death at the

Eric garner's death at the hands of a police officer.

Hands of a police officer. His last words, I can't

his last words, I can't breathe.

Breathe. The road ahead is not going

the road ahead is not going to be easy.

To be easy. It never is, especially for

it never is, especially for folks like you and me.

Folks like you and me. Michelle doubles down on her

Michelle doubles down on her message of hope.

Message of hope. After the 2012 election the

after the 2012 election the caution that really defined the

caution that really defined the obamas during the first

obamas during the first administration, some of that

administration, some of that goes by the wayside.

Goes by the wayside. No matter how far that you

no matter how far that you rise in life and how hard that

rise in life and how hard that you work to be a good person and

you work to be a good person and a good parent and a good

a good parent and a good citizen, for some folks it will

citizen, for some folks it will never be enough.

Never be enough. We see a Michelle Obama that

we see a Michelle Obama that is less coy about race.

Is less coy about race. It can make you feel like %-PR

and those feelings are playing out in communities like

out in communities like Baltimore and Ferguson and so

Baltimore and Ferguson and so many others across this country.

Many others across this country. You can say it would have

you can say it would have been massive opportunity to say

been massive opportunity to say something transformative, but at

something transformative, but at the same time she's still

the same time she's still operating within the boundaries

operating within the boundaries of the white house.

Of the white house. She's quite clear about the

she's quite clear about the role of poverty and sexism and

role of poverty and sexism and racism, but she is also not

racism, but she is also not going to let anybody off the

going to let anybody off the hook.

Hook. She's going to tell you all,

she's going to tell you all, look, it sucks, it's bad, but

look, it sucks, it's bad, but you are born for more than that.

You are born for more than that. Today I want to be very clear

today I want to be very clear that those feelings are not an

that those feelings are not an excuse to just throw up our

excuse to just throw up our hands and give up.

Hands and give up. They are not an excuse to lose

they are not an excuse to lose hope.

Hope. Five, four, three, two, one.

Five, four, three, two, one. One month later, the spirit

one month later, the spirit of yes, we can that has taken

of yes, we can that has taken the obamas so far will be

the obamas so far will be brutally challenged.

Brutally challenged. At 9:05 we received a call

at 9:05 we received a call of a shooting here.

Of a shooting here. On Calhoun street.

On Calhoun street. In the summer of 2015, a

in the summer of 2015, a 21-year-old white man joins a

21-year-old white man joins a Bible study at the episcopal

Bible study at the episcopal church and starts shooting.

Church and starts shooting. It is unfathomable someone in

it is unfathomable someone in today's society would walk into

today's society would walk into a church when people are having

a church when people are having a prayer meeting and take their

a prayer meeting and take their lives.

Lives. The shooter accused the black

the shooter accused the black congregation of taking over the

congregation of taking over the country.

Country. Nine people are killed.

Nine people are killed. Too long we have been blind

too long we have been blind to the way that past injustices

to the way that past injustices continue to shape this

continue to shape this -- the present.

-- The present. What does it mean to be proud

what does it mean to be proud to be the first African-American

to be the first African-American inhabitants in the white house

inhabitants in the white house and know that it's linked to

and know that it's linked to movements and individuals that

movements and individuals that see that as an affront to things

see that as an affront to things that are rightfully theirs.

That are rightfully theirs. Their progress riled up some of

their progress riled up some of the worst forces in our world.

The worst forces in our world. It really does create, I think,

it really does create, I think, this deep existential sense of

this deep existential sense of our presence may lead to the

our presence may lead to the absence of others.

Absence of others. The way to defeat hope is to

the way to defeat hope is to make people angry and resentful.

Make people angry and resentful. We're going to make you angry

we're going to make you angry that these people are in the

that these people are in the white house and we're going to

white house and we're going to make you certain that every

make you certain that every problem you face, every

problem you face, every misfortune is the fault of

misfortune is the fault of people like that.

People like that. At the end of t hatred is rean

at the end of t hatred is rean a different octave.

A different octave. At the end of the term she was

at the end of the term she was using her voice to speak to the

using her voice to speak to the hatred and the fear that she

hatred and the fear that she had.

Had. Here in america we don't give

here in america we don't give into our fears and build up

into our fears and build up walls to keep people out.

Walls to keep people out. We know that our greatness has

we know that our greatness has always depended on contributions

always depended on contributions from people that are born

from people that are born elsewhere but sought out this

elsewhere but sought out this country and made it their home.

Country and made it their home. It was an expectation that

it was an expectation that they in particular would lead

they in particular would lead the conversation about race.

The conversation about race. That is the American story.

That is the American story. People didn't think they did

people didn't think they did it enough.

It enough. It is the story that I

it is the story that I witness every day when I wake up

witness every day when I wake up in a house that was built by

in a house that was built by slaves, and I watch my

slaves, and I watch my daughters, two beautiful black

daughters, two beautiful black young women, waving good-bye to

young women, waving good-bye to their father, the president of

their father, the president of the United States.

The United States. They kind of talked about it

they kind of talked about it all the time in subtle ways and

all the time in subtle ways and often in ways that just kind of

often in ways that just kind of went right over people's heads.

Went right over people's heads. You are the living, breathing

you are the living, breathing proof that the American dream

proof that the American dream endures in our time.

Endures in our time. It's you.

It's you. You might have heard someone

you might have heard someone jumped the white house fence

jumped the white house fence last week, but I have to give

last week, but I have to give secret service credit.

Secret service credit. They found Michelle, brought her

they found Michelle, brought her back.

Back. She is safe, back at home now.

She is safe, back at home now. Only nine more months, baby.

Only nine more months, baby. Settle down.

Settle down. The obamas' time in the white

the obamas' time in the white house is coming to a close.

House is coming to a close. Last question, make it a good

last question, make it a good one.

One. Michelle makes no secret of

Michelle makes no secret of her relief.

Her relief. Were you going to work after

were you going to work after you be the first lady?

You be the first lady? I don't know.

I don't know. She was ready.

She was ready. My kids are growing up.

My kids are growing up. In her opinion, it was time

in her opinion, it was time to go.

To go. It was hard to believe that

it was hard to believe that it has been eight years.

It has been eight years. In Michelle's final

in Michelle's final convention appearance, she

convention appearance, she delivers a rebuke to Donald

delivers a rebuke to Donald trump's attack on their family,

trump's attack on their family, sharing the mantra they used in

sharing the mantra they used in the years in the white house.

The years in the white house. I told you about our

I told you about our daughters, how we urged them to

daughters, how we urged them to ignore those that question

ignore those that question their's father citizenship or

their's father citizenship or faith.

Faith. How we explain that when someone

how we explain that when someone is cruel or acts like a bully,

is cruel or acts like a bully, you don't stoop to their level.

You don't stoop to their level. No, our motto is when they go

no, our motto is when they go low, we go high.

Low, we go high. For two terms, for eight

for two terms, for eight years, she had been criticized

years, she had been criticized for tiny little things.

For tiny little things. Both of them bent over backwards

both of them bent over backwards to respect presidential norms,

to respect presidential norms, and yet in the campaign they see

and yet in the campaign they see someone who doesn't care about

someone who doesn't care about them.

Them. I am automatically attracted

I am automatically attracted to beautiful -- I just start

to beautiful -- I just start kissing them.

Kissing them. You can do anything.

You can do anything. She felt she had to say

she felt she had to say something.

Something. Knowing that people looked to

knowing that people looked to her for inspiration.

Her for inspiration. I can't believe I am saying

I can't believe I am saying that a candidate for president

that a candidate for president of the United States has bragged

of the United States has bragged about sexually assaulting women.

About sexually assaulting women. She shook off her supreme

she shook off her supreme caution that she had exercised

caution that she had exercised for eight years.

For eight years. Too many are treating this as

too many are treating this as just another day's headline.

Just another day's headline. She became a great first lady

she became a great first lady because she spoke for so many.

Because she spoke for so many. As if our outrage is

as if our outrage is overblown or unwarranted.

Overblown or unwarranted. As if this is normal.

As if this is normal. Just politics as usual.

Just politics as usual. I think she reached Eleanor

I think she reached Eleanor roos as well

Michelle spends election night watching a movie.

Night watching a movie. As the messages start coming in

as the messages start coming in she heads off to bed.

She heads off to bed. Donald Trump wins the

Donald Trump wins the presidency.

Presidency. The day after election day

the day after election day was extremely difficult, and I

was extremely difficult, and I think that none of US wanted to

think that none of US wanted to go to work but we all picked

go to work but we all picked ourselves up.

Ourselves up. We came into the office.

We came into the office. Mrs. Obama e-mailed the chief of

Mrs. Obama e-mailed the chief of staff and I at the time and said

staff and I at the time and said I would like to talk to the

I would like to talk to the staff.

Staff. The first lady brought US all

the first lady brought US all together and she said I want to

together and she said I want to hear from you all.

Hear from you all. How do you feel?

How do you feel? People were afraid that a lot

people were afraid that a lot of the work that we poured our

of the work that we poured our hearts and souls into would be

hearts and souls into would be unwound.

Unwound. She assured US what we did

she assured US what we did was remarkable and to go on and

was remarkable and to go on and continue that.

Continue that. This house was just the

this house was just the beginning for some of US, but it

beginning for some of US, but it is not the end.

Is not the end. The trump's came to the white

the trump's came to the white house the next day.S came to th

house the next day.S came to th house the next day.

House the next day. It was the same day that

it was the same day that LeBron James and the cavaliers

LeBron James and the cavaliers were coming, too.

Were coming, too. We didn't have much time to

we didn't have much time to think until it was done.

Think until it was done. We celebrated the last few

we celebrated the last few months at the white house and we

months at the white house and we accomplished more than we ever

accomplished more than we ever could have imagined with the

could have imagined with the spotlight on US no other

spotlight on US no other administration ever had.

Administration ever had. Maybe you still can't believe

maybe you still can't believe we pulled this whole thing off.

We pulled this whole thing off. Let me tell you, you are not the

let me tell you, you are not the only ones.

Only ones. Michelle.

Michelle.

You took on a role you didn't

you took on a role you didn't ask for with grace and with grit

ask for with grace and with grit and with style and good humor.

And with style and good humor. You made the white house a place

you made the white house a place that belongs to everybody and a

that belongs to everybody and a new generation sets its sights

new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a

higher because it has you as a role model.

Role model. She was exhausted.

She was exhausted. We were all exhausted.

We were all exhausted. I mean, the dogs were probably

I mean, the dogs were probably exhausted.

Exhausted. It's like you're running a mayor

it's like you're running a mayor than for eight years and then

than for eight years and then all of a sudden it stops.

All of a sudden it stops. January 20, 2017 Michelle

January 20, 2017 Michelle Obama walks out of the white

Obama walks out of the white house for the last time.

House for the last time. One of the things that struck

one of the things that struck me knowing her as I do was how

me knowing her as I do was how chilly Michelle was toward the

chilly Michelle was toward the new president.

New president. And she sent a very strong

and she sent a very strong message, I thought, through her

message, I thought, through her body language.

Body language. On inauguration day 2017 we

on inauguration day 2017 we see Michelle Obama who has

see Michelle Obama who has slicked back her hair and shows

slicked back her hair and shows none of the usual care we see in

none of the usual care we see in moments of political import.

Moments of political import. It's such a clear moment.

It's such a clear moment. It's such a clear moment that

it's such a clear moment that she's over it and done.

She's over it and done. Michelle stays out of the

Michelle stays out of the limelight for a time and then

limelight for a time and then bursting back on to the scene.

Bursting back on to the scene. More than any other first lady,

more than any other first lady, Michelle Obama has become a

Michelle Obama has become a symbol of hope and possibility

symbol of hope and possibility for millions across the united

for millions across the united states and beyond.

States and beyond. She redefined the role of

she redefined the role of first lady on her own terms.

First lady on her own terms. Her background is something

her background is something that she celebrates as much as

that she celebrates as much as her accomplishments.

Her accomplishments. I think that is one of the

I think that is one of the reasons why she is such a unique

reasons why she is such a unique first lady.

First lady. Each of US has a mission in

each of US has a mission in this world.

This world. She gave a lot of kids around

she gave a lot of kids around the country permission to be

the country permission to be themselves.

Themselves. Walk a little taller, think a

walk a little taller, think a little bit bigger, dream a

little bit bigger, dream a little bit higher.

Little bit higher. My story can be your story.

My story can be your story. I think that is her legacy.

I think that is her legacy. Are you listening to me?

Are you listening to me? Do you hear what I'm telling

do you hear what I'm telling you?

You? As great as Michelle Obama

as great as Michelle Obama was in the white house, she's

was in the white house, she's free now and you have not heard

free now and you have not heard or seen anything yet.

Or seen anything yet. I always knew from the first

I always knew from the first time that I met her that she was

time that I met her that she was special.

Special. She always had this inner

she always had this inner strength and tenacity and

strength and tenacity and conviction and compassion.

Conviction and compassion. So don't be afraid.

So don't be afraid. Do you hear me?

Do you hear me? Young people, don't be afraid.

Young people, don't be afraid. Be determined.

Be determined. Lead by example with hope.

Lead by example with hope. Never fear.

Never fear. Yes, she has grown mightily.

Yes, she has grown mightily. But the core essence of Michelle

but the core essence of Michelle Robinson who I met in 1991 is

Robinson who I met in 1991 is still there today.

Still there today. Being your first lady has

being your first lady has been the greatest honor of my

been the greatest honor of my life, and I hope I've made you

life, and I hope I've made you proud.