Michelle Obama quotes
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“I was too worried about the grades and I should have been more worried about learning.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Countries are stronger and more prosperous when the voices and opinions of all their citizens can be heard.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“We should always have three friends in our lives-one who walks ahead who we look up to and follow; one who walks beside us, who is with us every step of our journey; and then, one who we reach back for and bring along after we've cleared the way.”
-- Michelle ObamaSource : FaceBook post by Michelle Obama from Jan 28, 2011
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“What I know for sure is that all the sacrifice and challenges we face are worth it if we're creating a better future for our kids. I just think if the adults are always thinking about the world we want to leave for our kids, we're going to make the right choices every single time.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“The beauty of my job is that I get to see more of that America. And that feeds me.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“I think the most moving part of my trip [to Africa] so far was seeing 92-year-old Nelson Mandela, and just thinking about his life. This man has lived through a struggle that few nations have known.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“My happiness is tied to how I feel about myself.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“We need all hands on deck, and that means clearing hurdles for women and girls as they navigate careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Just keep focusing on the work that you're doing. Focus on what's in front of you today. And don't read the papers, just go campaign. Just do your thing. Talk to people directly”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Whether an illness affects your heart, your leg or your brain, it's still an illness, and there should be no distinction.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“For me, as a mother, I am just, you know, I just can't put into words how important it is for every American, for every mother, for every person in this country, to have healthcare.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“When you've worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity...you do not slam it shut behind you...you reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.”
-- Michelle ObamaSource : "Why can't we celebrate women's sport without relating it to men's" by Marina Hyde, www.theguardian.com. July 26, 2007.
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“I don't, as my mom would say, sweat the small stuff in our relationship. Because when I think of day-to-day irritations that you might have with the one you love, they're nothing compared to the bigger task at hand.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“No matter who you are, no matter where you come from, you are beautiful”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Childhood obesity issue is critically important to me because it's critically important to the health and success of our kids, and of this nation, ultimately.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“I love that for Barack, there is no such thing as 'us' and 'them' - he doesn't care whether you're a Democrat, a Republican, or none of the above... he knows that we all love our country... and he's always ready to listen to good ideas... he's always looking for the very best in everyone he meets.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Childhood obesity isn't about looks. And it's not about weight. It's about how our kids feel. And those are really the implications of the problem and the words that tell a fuller picture of the challenges that we face; you know, kids struggling in ways that they didn't a generation ago.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“We've got a responsibility to live up to the legacy of those who came before us by doing all that we can to help those who come after us.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“For me, I look at the faces of my kids and I think about the future that is going to await them and whether they're going to not just have the financial resources to be prepared for the challenge, but whether they're going to have the strength and the stamina to live healthier, longer lives so that they can see their kids and grandkids. That's the legacy I hope to see, and it can have nothing to do with me and I'd be perfectly happy.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“Barack and I were both raised by families who didn't have much in the way of money or material possessions but who had given us something far more valuable - their unconditional love, their unflinching sacrifice, and the chance to go places they had never imagined for themselves.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“I never cut class. I loved getting A's, I liked being smart. I liked being on time. I thought being smart is cooler than anything in the world.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“The issues facing working women and their families are closest to my heart. I decided to focus intently on the challenges military wives face because they juggle the same pressures as their nonmilitary peers, all while coping as single parents while their loved ones are overseas. I wanted to help make their voices heard.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“I come here today as a Christian, a person of faith who believes we've all been called to serve our fellow men and women and to honor God's creation. We want our girls to know right from wrong, to always tell the truth, to treat people no matter who they are with dignity and respect, no matter how different they may seem...because we want our girls to know we are all God's children and there's so much more that unites than divides us.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“The fact is, with every friendship you make, and every bond of trust you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world. That is so important. So when you study abroad, you're actually helping to make America stronger.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“I am so tired of fear. And I don't want my girls to live in a country, in a world, based on fear.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them. I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“There is no magic to achievement. It's really about hard work, choices, and persistence.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“Exercise is really important to me - it's therapeutic. So if I'm ever feeling tense or stressed or like I'm about to have a meltdown, I'll put on my iPod and head to the gym or out on a bike ride along Lake Michigan with the girls.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Success doesn’t count unless you earn it fair and square.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“If proud Americans can be who they are and boldly stand at the altar with who they love then surely, surely we can give everyone in this country a fair chance at that great American Dream.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Women and girls can do whatever they want. There is no limit to what we as women can accomplish.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“Learning through the arts reinforces critical academic skills in reading, language arts and math and provides students with the skills to creatively solve problems.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“The benefits of studying abroad are almost endless.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“What I love about design is the artistic and scientific complexity that also becomes useful...”
-- Michelle Obama -
“My experiences at Princeton have made me far more aware of my 'blackness' than ever before. I have found that at Princeton, no matter how liberal and open-minded some of my white professors and classmates try to be toward me, I sometimes feel like a visitor on campus; as if I really don't belong.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“I like to talk about my obsession with french fries because I don't want people to think that 'Let's Move' is about complete, utter deprivation. It's about moderation and real-life changes and ideas that really work for families.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Believe it or not, when we were first married, our combined monthly student loan bills were actually higher than our mortgage.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody says distract you from your goals.”
-- Michelle ObamaSource : Michelle Obama, Lisa Rogak (2009). “Michelle Obama: In Her Own Words”, p.40, PublicAffairs
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“In our house we don't take ourselves too seriously, and laughter is the best form of unity, I think, in a marriage.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“Success isn't about how much money you make. It's about the difference you make in people's lives.”
-- Michelle ObamaSource : Michelle Obama's Speech speech at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, www.npr.org. September 4, 2012.
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“The arts are not just a nice thing to have or to do if there is free time or if one can afford it. Rather, paintings and poetry, music and fashion, design and dialogue, they all define who we are as a people and provide an account of our history for the next generation.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“I hate diversity workshops. “Real change comes from having enough comfort to be really honest and say something very uncomfortable.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“As women, we must stand up for ourselves. We must stand up for each other. We must stand up for justice for all.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“Cute's good. But cute only lasts for so long, and then it's, 'Who are you as a person?' Don't look at the bankbook or the title. Look at the heart. Look at the soul. When you're dating a man, you should always feel good. ... You shouldn't be in a relationship with somebody who doesn't make you completely happy and make you feel whole.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“You have to practice success. Success doesn't just show up. If you aren't practicing success today, you won't wake up in 20 years and be successful, because you won't have developed the habits of success, which are small things like finishing what you start, putting a lot of effort into everything you do, being on time, treating people well.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“I admit it: I am louder than the average human being and have no fear of speaking my mind. These traits don't come from the color of my skin but from an unwavering belief in my own intelligence.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“I believe that each of us-no matter what our age or background or walk of life-each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work hard for them.”
-- Michelle ObamaSource : Democratic National Convention Keynote Address, delivered 25 August 2008, INVESCO Field at Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado
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“It is my hope that our garden's story-and the stories of gardens across America-will inspire families, schools, and communities to try their own hand at gardening and enjoy all the gifts of health, discovery, and connection a garden can bring.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“The truth is, in order to get things like universal health care and a revamped education system, then someone is going to have to give up a piece of their pie so that someone else can have more.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“We can aim to create a culture, where kids ask for healthy options instead of resisting them.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Whether you come from a council estate or a country estate, your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“We all need to start making some changes to how our families eat. Now, everyone loves a good Sunday dinner. Me included. And there's nothing wrong with that. The problem is when we eat Sunday dinner Monday through Saturday.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world's problems at once but don't ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the economic health and security of our nation is at stake. This isn't the kind of problem that can be solved overnight, but with everyone working together, it can be solved. So, let's move.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“My mother's love has always been a sustaining force for our family, and one of my greatest joys is seeing her integrity, her compassion, her intelligence reflected in my daughters.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“We learned about gratitude and humility - that so many people had a hand in our success, from the teachers who inspired us to the janitors who kept our school clean... and we were taught to value everyone's contribution and treat everyone with respect.”
-- Michelle ObamaSource : Democratic National Convention Speech, www.npr.org. September 04, 2012.
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“Barack Obama was a black man that lived on the South Side of Chicago, who had his share of troubles catching cabs.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own 'to do' list.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“I want to send a very clear message to the men and women who are wearing - or who have worn - our country's uniform and to their spouses: when you have finished your service to our nation, you've got 2,000 great American companies ready and waiting to bring you on board”
-- Michelle Obama -
“If my future were determined just by my performance on a standardized test, I wouldn't be here. I guarantee you that.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“An educational foundation is only part of the equation. In order for creativity to flourish and imagination to take hold, we also need to expose our children to the arts from a very young age.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Do not bring people in your life who weigh you down. And trust your instincts ... good relationships feel good. They feel right. They don't hurt. They're not painful. That's not just with somebody you want to marry, but it's with the friends that you choose. It's with the people you surround yourselves with.”
-- Michelle ObamaSource : Remarks by the First Lady at an Event with Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Students, obamawhitehouse.archives.gov. May 25, 2011.
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“We need to fix our souls. Our souls are broken in this nation. We have lost our way. And it begins with inspiration. It begins with leadership.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“And I love that even in the toughest moments, when we're all sweating it - when we're worried that the bill won't pass, and it seems like all is lost - Barack never lets himself get distracted by the chatter and the noise. Just like his grandmother, he just keeps getting up and moving forward... with patience and wisdom, and courage and grace.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“There are still many causes worth sacrificing for, so much history yet to be made.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Our job is, first and foremost, to make sure our family is whole.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“You can't make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“First and foremost, I wear what I love. That's what women have to focus on: what makes them happy and what makes them feel comfortable and beautiful. If I can have any impact, I want women to feel good about themselves and have fun with fashion.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“How hard you work matters more than how much you make.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Ultimately this issue is on us. We're the ones who make the decisions about what our kids eat.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Service is a limitless opportunity, it is the reason why we breathe.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“We can make a commitment to promote vegetables and fruits and whole grains on every part of every menu. We can make portion sizes smaller and emphasize quality over quantity. And we can help create a culture - imagine this - where our kids ask for healthy options instead of resisting them.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“For me exercise is more than just physical, it’s therapeutic.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“My first job in all honesty is going to continue to be mom-in-chief. Making sure that in this transition, which will be even more of a transition for the girls... that they are settled and that they know they will continue to be the center of our universe.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“There is nothing more important to this nation's future than investing in our young people.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“If farmers and blacksmiths could win independence from an empire if immigrants could leave behind everything they knew for a better life on our shores if women could be dragged to jail for seeking the vote if a generation could defeat a depression, and define greatness for all time if a young preacher could lift us to the mountaintop with his righteous dream and if proud Americans can be who they are and boldly stand at the altar with who they love then surely, surely we can give everyone in this country a fair chance at that great American Dream.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Together, we can help make sure that every family that walks into a restaurant can make an easy, healthy choice.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Wounded Warriors tell me they're not just going to walk again, they're going to run, and they're going to run marathons!”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Walk away from 'friendships' that make you feel small and insecure, and seek out people who inspire you and support you”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“Being a healthy woman isn't about getting on a scale or measuring your waistline. We need to start focusing on what matters-on how we feel, and how we feel about ourselves.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“But, as potentially the first African American first lady, I was also the focus of another set of questions and speculations; conversations sometimes rooted in the fears and misperceptions of others. Was I too loud, or too angry, or too emasculating? Or was I too soft, too much of a mom, not enough of a career woman?”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if it feels like your own.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“As a mom, I know it is my responsibility, and no one else's, to raise my kids. But we have to ask ourselves, what does it mean when so many parents are finding their best efforts undermined by an avalanche of advertisements aimed at our kids.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“This is really what the White House is all about. It’s the “People’s House.†It’s a place that is steeped in history, but it’s also a place where everyone should feel welcome. And that's why my husband and I have made it our mission to open up the house to as many people as we can.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“And in my own life, in my own small way, I've tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us - no matter what our age or background or walk of life - each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Every day, the people I meet inspire me... every day, they make me proud... every day they remind me how blessed we are to live in the greatest nation on earth.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“Every day, through engagement in the arts, our children learn to open their imagination, to dream just a little bigger and to strive every day to reach those dreams.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“He’s always asking: ‘Is that new? I haven’t seen that before.’ It’s like, Why don’t you mind your own business? Solve world hunger. Get out of my closet.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“I was not raised with wealth or resources or any social standing to speak of.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“All of us are driven by a simple belief that the world as it is just won't do - that we have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“If I can have any impact, I want women to feel good about themselves and have fun with fashion”
-- Michelle Obama -
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“When it comes to the health of our families, Barack refused to listen to all those folks who told him to leave health reform for another day, another president. He didn't care whether it was the easy thing to do politically - that's not how he was raised - he cared that it was the right thing to do.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“If we truly believe that every girl in every corner of the globe is worthy of an education as our own daughters and granddaughters are, then we need to deepen our commitment to these efforts”
-- Michelle Obama -
“At the end of the day, when it comes time to make that decision, as president, all you have to guide you are your values, and your vision, and the life experiences that make you who you are.”
-- Michelle Obama -
“We were so young, so in love, and so in debt.”
-- Michelle Obama -
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