Glamour Magazine has honored FLOTUS Michelle Obama with a “special recognition” for “her focus on mentoring the next generation”. She appears on one of five celebratory covers for Glamour’s December “Women of the Year” issue. It’s the first time a first lady has appeared on Glamour’s cover. The entire interview has not been released yet, but Glamour does havea very interesting preview of the cover interview up on their site right now. The editor also excerpts the interview by giving six “lessons” that she took away from Michelle’s interview. Some of these lessons are pretty good pieces of advice.
This year, Glamour is honoring First Lady Michelle Obama with a Special Recognition award for her commitment to mentoring young women. (She also appears on our cover–the first time in Glamour’s 70-year history that a First Lady has ever done so.) You simply cannot talk about 2009 without talking about Mrs. Obama: and no, I don’t mean her status as a style icon (richly deserved though it may be). Just nine months into her job, our nation’s first African-American First Lady has thrown open the doors of the White House to local children and families, determined to show young people that, in her words, “there’s no magic to being here”–that with hard work, any one of us can rise to greatness. And at Glamour, we love that she’s particularly set on expanding young women’s horizons: The First Lady is establishing mentor relationships between top women in the administration and girls in need in DC, and is encouraging women leaders around the country to do the same where they live. Love that.
One of my favorite things about [Katie Couric’s] interview with the First Lady is that Mrs. Obama delivers truly useable advice–the kind of advice any woman can draw on to reach her own personal goals. Here are six lessons I took away from her responses:
Mentoring matters, especially for young women: “I think that mentoring is such a critical part of the role I can play in this position. I see how little bits of exposure and big bits of exposure really change my girls significantly, and I want that for more girls around the country and the world.”
The real role models aren’t movie stars–they’re the people you know: “They were the people in my life. My mom, for sure. My dad. The teachers. For me, role-modeling was immediate, it was touchable…Children connect with who is in their lives, present and accounted for…That’s why we’re trying to encourage moms, teachers, fathers, to be that presence in their children’s lives, in their communities, because it really makes a difference.”
Don’t wait to be “discovered” by a mentor: “I was blessed throughout my entire career. I had people rooting for me. It started with my parents, but it extended to almost every teacher that I had. When I was a young lawyer, there were other women and men in the firm who took me under their wing. Look for those mentors, because sometimes mentors don’t find you–sometimes you seek them out. Oftentimes, they’re flattered and glad to lend a hand.”
Don’t put yourself last in line: In answer to a reader question about how she keeps her sanity, the First Lady told Katie, “I have always tried to put my kids first, and then…put myself a really close second, as opposed to fifth or seventh. One thing that I’ve learned from male role models is that they don’t hesitate to invest in themselves.”
When it comes to looks and style, set your own standards: “People are always going to have opinions, and people have a right to their opinions, particularly when you’re the First Lady; you’re representing the nation. So I can’t be surprised that people are interested. But I’ve tried to be at peace with the choices that I make first, and then be open to everyone else’s reflection.”
With men, don’t be swayed by “cute”: “Cute’ [is] 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.”
[From Glamour]
One of my favorite moments of the year was Michelle’s speech to a girls’ school in London back in April. The school had a 90% minority enrollment, and Michelle delivered an emotional, heart-wrenching, empowering message to those young girls: “You too can control your own destiny, please remember that. Whether you come from a council estate or a country estate, your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude…You are precious and you touch my heart.” I also like the whole “cute doesn’t last” quote from this interview. But the original saying is more to the point – “Pretty doesn’t last, stupid is forever.” Great advice!
I love Michelle Obama!
Great interview, and a beautiful picture to go along with it.
My question is when did the first lady and President start doing all these magazine covers and talk shows? I honestly don’t remember any other presidential family this involved with the “celebrity” form of media.
I think she needs to try to be a First Lady and stop worrying about being a Celebrity.
Love Glamour, like the first lady, but I don’t know, I don’t think she should be on talk shows and magazine covers. Just doesn’t seem right for some reason.
Can they just act like a presidential family? Because seriouly when the death toll of troops reaches 3000+ in iraq and 1500 in afghanistan of just dead us troops alone not counting the allies – the last thing I want to see it this kind of shit. Im not including all the deaths happening in civilians anymore because it’s just so large now that it’s meaningless. But honestly I am discusted with all this – at first I understood the intention but now it’s beyond unnessesary and frankly pathetic and insulting. With their smiles and pictures of the ever so happy family safe in their pretty huge white house- people with just as innocent families needing roofs over their heads are barely making it on a basic income. People seem to forget that this man is now the person who decides who lives and who dies and how many should in these wars. But hey lets keep these people in tabloids and magazines, because life is grand and good, balanced, and happy! Meanwhile an ocean away a soldier is dead and coming home in a flag drapped coffin to a now shattered family. But it’s all good- please MRS Obama tell us more about yourself. KEEP TALKING.
You can give all the speaches you want, and say all the right things. But thats all it is, words.
I think it’s great that First Lady Michelle is on the cover of magazines and appears on talk shows. The tradition of the first lady taking a backseat and keeping quiet days are over especially now since women are balancing work and family more than ever!!!
Michelle is the coolest first lady ever. Carla a close second. They both are so hot and fashionable.
How exactly is the President’s family supposed to act?
Getting busted for underage drinking? Multiple times?
Michelle is a great role model & an inspriation.
Oh okay then why doesnt a real working mom appear on such things then? Im definately sure that you all have wonderful stories to tell people. God know it would be worth a read. The First Lady had no business being a celebrity. Celebrities arent leaders of super powers! All the girl does is talk and talk and pose and pose, I half expect her transport to be in neon pink, with spinners and beyonce playing at full blast singing’ all the single ladies’.
Blah blah blah. Health care. Blah blah blah. Pull out of Afghanistan and Iraq. Blah blah blah. Oh, wait, Michele Obama was interviewed for Glamour. I thought it was the Blah Girls. WTF? Glamour? Oh, Vanity Fair was too busy.
Why pick on Bush’s children? They weren’t running the country.
Whose to say that the Obama girls will never do anything wrong in their youth. Teenagers always end up doing something wrong. That’s life! Jeez!
She’s done every magazine more than once, which is a stupid thing to do since she’s still gor four more years to talk about herself and her world. I would have prefered reading about that homeless girl with no supporting family who worked her way through sheilters and public schools batteling her learning disability and finally got accepted into harvard university. Now THATS definately inspirational. But she only got an hour on OPRAH.
She sounds like a smart woman, but do mags only pick people for women of the year when they are “famous”? I’m sure before she came along and many people knew of her, there were other women equally qualified to fill this spot. I’m just sick of recognition of good deeds only going to people who are prominent while there are many other women who do these good deeds behind the spotlight who nobody does research on or takes the time to write about.
Wonder if her cover boosts newstand circ?
My guess: sales will be flat, or, more likely down.
NIKKI I completely agree with you on that one, you hit the dot spot on.
I love this woman! So many fabulous points she makes. Love her.
@NIKKI-Amen!
Michelle Obama is pretty awesome.
inspirational woman of this month alone
Brazillian woman adopts 50
The little mermaid dies at age of 10 ( tragic and saddeneing but that girl was a brave brave BRAVE soul )
Indian salonist created organization for acid burnt victims and victims of domestic abuse. Helps employ them.
Homesless girl graduates and moves to HARVARD.
SO MANY stories that really make the first ladies story mute. She can rant and rave all she wants, but there are far more inspirational women out there than her.
I think She is an inspiration to all people. By the way, what makes a person a celebrity? I am sure she does not think of herself as a celebrity. Not because someone is “making the rounds” mean they are a celebrity – at least for me.
I think that the recognition she is bringing to the causes that she is attached to are great.
Also, tropps are dying in Iraq and Afganistan because of policies that were implemented before Obama became president and what Michelle is doing or saying is an agenda of its own. At least she is not sitting back and just being “pretty” saying nothing and doing nothing and just hanging on her husband’s coatsleeves as an accessory. She has a life and things she would like to do and she is doing those things.
Well, if she was totally unengaged with the American public, uninterested and not willing to share, then I suppose she would be equally criticized. For those who cannot see that she and the President are trying to create a climate of transparency within the White House and additionally to communicate to children that ANYTHING is possible if they try hard to achieve, it’s quite a loss indeed. Michelle Obama isn’t doing covers and stories like this to indulge HERSELF- how silly. There is a bigger goal, here. Some people are just too small to see it.
Nikki, how, pray tell, are mags supposed to find all these regular people doing amazing things? And how will they sell mags with covers of complete unknowns? I know many people who do fabulous thngs, I let them know they are appreciated when I can, but most good deed doers don’t do it for recognition.
Michelle Obama is a kind woman, a smart woman, a powerful woman, who is doing her best to uplift scores of young people.
Rest assured she is not seeking the added limelight, it is seeking her, and she fulfills our interest in her in a dignified manner.
I am always amazed, and saddened, by all of the hate on these blogs…to what end? Who is she harming?
Play nice!
So “Really”, what does a First Lady do, keep her mouth shut and stand by her man? (As you would prefer.) Jackie Kennedy did the same thing when JFK was office that Mrs. Obama is doing now. …Ahh, jealousy is a bitch!
Amanda, well said!
love her. she is an active first lady, something we haven’t seen in a while. laura bush seems nice enough but being a former librarian i thought she would be much more involved in promoting education. that was disappointing.
That is NIKKI’s point, people should do some RESEARCH on non-celebs who do great and selfless deeds. Viper seems to get the point and was able to cite a few women who deserve a nod.
Oh and Michelle Obama is not an inpiration to me. My grandmother and mother are my inspirations.
Nicole, research JFK and his family… they were just as bad
I stand corrected – she is an inspiration to many.
All i am saying is that the things she does are good deeds and appear to be selfless and that is always something people can appreciate – I would hope.
What I dislike about Michelle Obama and her husband is that they act like they are rock stars/celebrities. They do not act like a Presidential couple, and all this magazine cover crap seems self-serving. I honestly think I might like them more (despite being a crazy libertarian) if there wasn’t this huge push by the media to make them look like they are Messiahs or something.
Seriously, the gushing over this woman, who to be completely honest, looks like the Predator when he takes off his mask, is just out of control. They act like she’s Jackie Kennedy 2.0, when (even though I hate the Kennedys) she is nowhere NEAR as stylish or classy as Jackie.
I guess I’m just a little skeptical…because I’m ALWAYS skeptical when the media pushes something this hard. Think about it…WHY are they pushing these people on us like this? They didn’t even do this for Kennedy and Jackie, so what is this about? Could they be trying to push their agendas through these people? I think it is very likely, especially if you take the time to research how all these people are connected (REAL research, not just Fox News), and who stands to profit from this. You might be surprised, and what you find out might make you think twice about this.
Firestarter, I think you missed part of the article, or maybe you didn’t get past the headline.
Michelle Obama WANTS you to find heroes and mentors in your family, your teachers, your colleagues. She said herself that first and foremost, her parents were her heroes. I don’t think she expects you to find her parents heroic.
This discussion borders on ridiculous. This isn’t about the president, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It’s a semi-fluff piece where Michelle Obama offers some advice to the exact target audience of the magazine – teenage and slightly older girls.
She said when Obama took office, that mentoring and reaching out to young people would be a priority for her. So what’s the deal if she finds a giant audience through a magazine? Last time I checked, she didn’t make national policy decisions.
Are we going to pick on her for having a bunch of kids come to the White House to promote getting active by playing with hula hoops, among other things? Maybe she shouldn’t have done the Easter egg roll too.
You all are reading way, way too much into the cover of Glamour magazine and perhaps not reading at all what she said. Like it or not, the first black First Lady is of interest to people.
you too can be a first lady? what exactly do you have to do to be one? get married? Don’t women already know how to marry into power?
must be tough *eyeroll*
The problem is there are just people who will just hate the Obamas regardless of what they do. They are either not “white” enough or too “black” It they were more like Barbara and G. Bush,Sr. the same people would still trash the Obama family period. If it’s not the daughters’s hair not being “European” enough to Michelle’s bare arms. I’m so sick of people trashing people out of sheer pettiness, unsubstantiated hatred and jealousy.
GO FIRST LADY.
ditto Giz!
Um, I’m pretty sure a lot of people don’t like the Obamas because of their politicals, it has nothing to do with their race. And I agree, I’m sure they’re good people but I think they are acting a little too “celebrity” for what job they have.
*political views
In my humble opinion, the more educated and outspoken the First Lady is, the more flack she gets from people either from jealousy or from some sort of prejudice against powerful women. Eleanor Roosevelt was crucified in the press for speaking out. They said she should let her husband do the talking, but she was one of the first public figures who pushed for equal rights for African Americans. She was famously photographed hugging a young black boy and conservative publications ridiculed her endlessly for it. Hillary Clinton, another educated modern liberal woman worked hard on Healthcare Reform, only to have it shot down by gangs of misogynistic Republican Senators and Congressman who called her a “butch” and attacked her personally, rather than critiquing her ideas. Look where healthcare is now – down the pooper. If people had been more accepting of a strong intelligent woman then, we might be in a better place now.
Michelle is not President, but she does have the forum to talk about issues that are important to her because of the interest and popularity of her family. I do not understand why people are taking issue with Michelle. She isn’t even saying anything very controversial! She doesn’t edit Glamour. All she did was sit down for an articulate and thoughtful interview and pose for a few pictures.
Personally, I am proud that we have a First Lady who is willing to put herself out there and to talk the talk and walk the walk that got her where she is today. Her personal “pet” issue seems to be inner city / female education – something she probably knows quite a bit about having grown up in poverty on Chicago’s South Side only to go to Princeton and Harvard with no family history or powerful connections (unlike Bush). She is a self-made woman and she has every right to speak her mind.
Wether or not you care to admit it, she is a role model for all Americans. There are very few Bushes, and Kennedys who are born with a silver spoon in their mouths and family connections to top institutions and government. Michelle and Barak got where they are based purely on MERIT. She is living breathing proof that the American dream is real, and that you can make yourself a success even if you come from nothing.
I’m proud of Michelle, I like her message and I appreciate her intelligence, determination and the hard work that got her where she is.
PS. – I could do with more “celebrities” like the Obamas, and less “celebrities” like Lindsay Lohan, Speidi, Octomon, Gosselins, etc.
@ fizXgirl314
FYI – When the Obamas met Michelle was Barak’s boss at the Chicago Law firm Sidley Austin. So in reality HE was the one who married into power.
bridie… sounds like she kept the trend going right? *eyeroll*
I’m seriously NOT impressed… she has a lot of potential but right now, she’s just a wife, nothing more… :/
@ Anna, i have to disagree with the first part of your statement (Um, I’m pretty sure a lot of people don’t like the Obamas because of their politicals, it has nothing to do with their race.) follow this link
http://hiphopwired.com/13675/rnc-under-fire-for-racist-obama-picture/
i believe it’s legit, but anyone can correct me if i’m wrong
Hey folks, time marches on. Today’s president & first lady won’t behave like earlier white house residents and they shouldn’t. It’s too soon to say if Obama is a complete sucess but I like his message and I like Michelle. Obama doesn’t have a magic wand to fix things that were put in motion many many years ago and I wouldn’t want him to rush to judgement just to please some people, they would just harp on something else. But changes were badly needed and change has come.
I don’t get some of these comments. Act like a FLOTUS? I must have missed something–when did the FLOTUS get official duties? Could someone send me the section of the constitution that’s in? I’d like to look it up…
@ fizXgirl314
I disagree. Just because she is not currently formally employed outside the house doesn’t mean she is “just a wife”… She has still accomplished more than most people, and philanthropy, public works, speeches, etc. are more than just wifely duties. Saying she is “just a wife” is like saying she is a subordinate to her husband. She is still working, she just works in a supporting role to her husband for the first time in their marriage – I’m sure he still treats her like an equal, not a subordinate! In a partnership both people take on different duties, she made more money than Barak every year of their marriage until she took a leave of absence to help him campaign. What’s she supposed to do now that he is President? People would be up in arms if the First Lady worked for a DC law firm.
lena, nobody will EVER EVER claim there aren’t racist people in the world… however, that does not make all, or even most people racist… and that does not mean that if you don’t like the obamaas it is automatically a race issue…
i’m partial to barack obama. He seems like a nice, well intentioned man and he’s pretty good looking to boot lol… but I don’t really think Michelle is this great big hero… I prefer Hilary Clinton… she was a ballbuster :-p
@Snowball- My comment was in response to Kerri’s comment, and had nothing to do with the article at all. so Obama’s message was not lost on me.
Kerri mentioned that Obama was an inspiration to all people, and I simply stated she was not my inspiration.
Just trying to clarify my comment.
Oh so now the jealousy card is being played, how typical. Let me break it to you in a morbid sense. In my case and this is how I see it:
There is no way in hell that I will ever be envious or jealous of a person who is married to someone who can destroy a people, culture, and country with just saying the Okay to some demonic operation like say in WW2 the bombing of japan. Humanities version of God? Not once but TWISE I wouldnt want to be married to the man that obliterated half a population in micro seconds. THATS what I think about when I think PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Thats how it should be seen, because whether we want to admit it or not, thats the price one pays for being commander and chief. So you guys can sugar coat it all you want, but I’m not going to be apart of the ‘ love’ / illusion. That woman is the wife of a man like all those before him, is destroying lives, he hasnt changed that cycle or broken the chains at all, infact he looks like a pawn and heres a shocker is working for the very lobby he promise dus he’d abolish. That is not an inspiration thats the darkest damning position in the world.
I still cant believe Obama got the nobal prize for doing nothing. Then again Megan Fox was awarded the best sci fi actress award of all time. I guess Ripley was cliched? What a sad world this is evolving into.
Enough of her…………..please.
I agree w/all the posters who are tired of their Hollywood-esque celeb status rather than any sense of decorum associated with the office. Too many TV and magazine interviews and photo-ops. He needs to concentrate on his job and she needs to act like a first lady.
Much ado about nothing thus far, and he got a Nobel Prize for *absolutely* nothing. Well, he’d better start doing something or the Republicans will be back in in 2012.
I can appreciate how they are trying to be more accessible to the american people and the whole “change” they are promoting.
I really do wish the media would stop glamorizing the president and his wife. I wish that the president and his wife would stop making the rounds and acting like celebrities.
Im facing another deployment next year and I would appreciate it if the president was more focused on the situation in Afghanistan/Iraq than on his next photo op or TV interview. Im sending my loved ones into war and a lot of people are affected by the economy and the health crisis etc, the focus needs to be on getting our country back on its feet.
Mr. and Mrs. Obama: Thanks for the words of wisdom, but could you please get back to your day jobs?
Reminder: Do not post under multiple names. You will be banned.
Michelle Obama is likely the most highly educated, independent, and interesting first lady we’ve ever had and she’s got a personal style that declares it. This photographs well and makes for good reading. Magazines sell this way. She’ll sell it with the cover and perhaps there are more stories of other inspiring women inside the magazine whose images wouldn’t necessarily move it off the shelf. I’m not a reader of Glamour, but I’ve seen it before and this tends to be how the issues are. “Seller” on the cover, usually a model, and “regular” people stories inside.
What makes you think they are NOT doing their day jobs!! How long do you think it takes to do an interview??!! Please people lighten up. You are talking about they need to ACT like the president and the first lady??!!! Is there a script that i missed??!! Instead of “acting” like someone else they are attempting to foster change how about give them a chance before you start spitting such venom!!!
And please enlighten me how do real presidents “ACT”???
Seriously? This crap again/still? Barack Obama did not ask, petition, or beg for the Noble.
Again, ditto Trill! In a time & place where people actually care about the Gosslins & the Kardashian sisters’ antics, I think it is wonderful that a woman in her position is so vocal. Even if she hid in the White House for 4 years, she’d have to do interviews & whatnot. Her message is 100% valid & thats whats important.
it’s not Michelle’s fault that she is the most beautiful and photogenic First Lady since Jackie O. Since then we’ve had to settle for a string of women with brains but not sexy arms or skinny waists. Michelle has it all. deal with it.
All Im saying is that its a bit tacky to be making publicity rounds like a hollywood superstar when you are the president. I dont want to know your opinion on the latest “hot topic” I want you to be the president and take action to make the country better. To fix our problems not be a “style icon”. Other nations are looking at our country very critically and he is our represenative. I dont think his hollywood status will win over our enemies. We need a president, not a frat boy.
cakes, everything you describe is the President’s job. when Hillary invaded into Prez territory, she got slammed for it. Americans don’t want their First Lady acting like the Prez.
I am really tired of the first family acting like a bunch of celebrities instead of doing the job that President Obama was elected to do. I appreciate that she is doing good things for the Country, but so have other first wives and they didnt go on the talk show circuit or Glamour magazine. Its embarrassing. I think they only care about the celebrity of being in the White House.
molly, you are wrong…the obamas are not the first family to do this…JFK and his clan constantly had reporters in the white house…Jackie was always giving intereviews