,type=downsize)
Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the United States, has been a beacon of grace, intelligence, and strength throughout her public life. Beyond her remarkable achievements and advocacy work, she has consistently shared profound reflections on the experience of motherhood.
Her words resonate deeply with mothers worldwide, offering insights into raising children’s joys, challenges, and lessons. Let’s delve into some of Michelle Obama’s powerful quotes about motherhood, each encapsulating a different facet of this profound journey.
© GettyImagesIn an interview with British Vogue, Michelle Obama candidly shared a tender moment from the early days of motherhood. “When Malia and Sasha were newborns, Barack and I could lose hours just watching them sleep. We loved to listen to the little sounds they’d make – especially the way they cooed when they were deep into dreaming,” Obama said.
Her dedication to her daughters shines through in her declaration during Tuskegee University’s Commencement Address. Despite her career and academic achievements, Michelle Obama emphasizes that her role as a mother surpasses all else. “I love our daughters more than anything in the world ― more than life itself. And while that may not be the first thing that some folks want to hear from an Ivy-league-educated lawyer, it is truly who I am. So for me, being Mom-in-Chief is, and always will be, job number one,” she said.
Michelle Obama’s journey as a mother has been one of growth and resilience, as she eloquently expressed during a Glamour magazine panel. She acknowledges the inherent challenge of letting go and accepting that, as parents, there are limits to what we can control. “Being a mother has been a master class in letting go. Try as we might, there’s only so much we can control,” she added. “And, boy, have I tried – especially at first. As mothers, we just don’t want anything or anyone to hurt our babies. But life has other plans. Bruised knees, bumpy roads and broken hearts are part of the deal. What’s both humbled and heartened me is seeing the resiliency of my daughters.”
© GettyImagesBeyond her personal experiences, Michelle Obama is a staunch advocate for girls‘ education, passionately championing the cause of global female empowerment. In her words, she intertwines her maternal instincts with a broader mission, emphasizing the importance of education in unlocking the potential of every girl. “For me, this is personal,” Obama said during “The Power of an Educated Girl” panel in 2015.
“When I think about the 62 million girls not in school, I think of myself and my daughters — all my girls, all our girls. I think about where I would be in my life if I didn’t work hard in school and had the opportunity to go to college and law school. I wouldn’t be here. It’s imperative — and it’s my passion and my mission — that every girl on the planet has the same opportunity that I have and my daughters have. And I want to make sure that all of you here in the United States are taking advantage of the opportunities that you have as well. Get that education because it will be the key to your future. There is no boy at this age that is cute enough or interesting enough to stop you from getting your education. If I had worried about who liked me and who thought I was cute when I was your age, I wouldn’t be married to the president of the United States.”
Moreover, Michelle Obama eloquently articulates the symbiotic relationship between motherhood and professional pursuits. “For me, being a mother made me a better professional, because coming home every night to my girls reminded me what I was working for. And being a professional made me a better mother, because by pursuing my dreams, I was modeling for my girls how to pursue their dreams,” she said at the “Let Girls Learn‘” joint partnership announcement.
In essence, Michelle Obama’s quotes about motherhood encapsulate the multifaceted nature of this sacred journey. From the profound love and joy of parenthood to the challenges of letting go and empowering the next generation, her words inspire and resonate with mothers of all backgrounds.
