Modern Day

Not Just the President’s Wife: How First Ladies Broke the Barrier In Their Role for Advocacy

Modern Day





Because of influential First Ladies like Nancy Reagan and Betty Ford, current First Ladies like Michelle Obama are able to get behind their causes and organizations. Michelle Obama was able to initiate the Let’s Move! program, to get kids off the couch and exercising, as well as eating better. She had the resources to educate adults across the country, and brought the foods needed to schools and communities. 

"Child hunger and child obesity are really just two sides of the same coin. Both rob our children of the energy, the strength and the stamina they need to succeed in school and in life. And that, in turn, robs our country of so much of their promise."

~Michelle Obama

(Cowley Let's Move (faster) on childhood obesity)

(Disney + Let's Move • Kickoff)

(Wright Michelle Obama, in UK, unveils girls' education program)







In addition to her Let’s Move! Program, Michelle Obama also heavily supported the Reach Higher Initiative; a program that educates students on careers and the education needed for that career. She encouraged students to go to technical schools, community colleges, universities, and colleges. Its primary focus was to urge students to receive a higher education than a high school education. Furthermore, Michelle Obama has continuously supported women’s education, on a global spectrum, and has supported military families and veterans.

(Obama White House Let Girls Learn)

"The biggest obstacle facing girls is education, education, education. There are too many kids who think high school is a pit stop to fame and fortune. I want girls in this country to think education is the coolest, most important thing they could ever do in their lives."

~Michelle Obama

(- et al. Michelle Obama urged to run for president)

Without ladies like Betty Ford and Nancy Reagan, Michelle Obama would not be as successful due to the previous First Ladies carving the way for future First Ladies to follow in suit and truly use their position to help others. ​​​​​​​

"For the first time, the nation will have goals, benchmarks, and measureable outcomes that will help us tackle the childhood obesity epidemic one child, one family, and one community at a time."

~Michelle Obama