The First 100 Days Plus a Few More: First Lady Michelle Obama

Thoughts from Barbara Seals Nevergold

The much ballyhooed first 100 days of the Obama Presidency have come and gone.  Since the days of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, every President’s performance, during this fabled period, has been graded on a mythical report card and touted by the media, pollsters and political pundits.  In fact, some, who were eager to trumpet the President’s successes or failures made the first assessment of the Obama Presidency at the 50-day mark.  The first 100-day mania even encompassed the First Lady, Mrs. Michelle Obama, as she too has been scrutinized for her performance in a position that has no job description or official duties.

The media spotlight on Michelle Obama has been almost as intense as that on her husband, perhaps at times even brighter.  Not since First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy has the First Lady’s fashion acumen received the attention that Michelle Obama’s has received.  She has garnered raves and criticism for everything from her J. Crew outfits to her designer evening gowns to her gardening gear.  The focus on her penchant for sleeveless outfits reached the level of minutia, yet still made the news.  From the cover of the New Yorker magazine that raised our ire and galvanized our movement to write “Go, Tell Michelle”, she has become the cover girl for magazines like Vogue, O, US, Ebony and Essence.

Yet, Mrs. Obama has brought more substance to her role as First Lady that has often been over-shadowed by the fashion stories.  Her outreach to the DC community, such as her visits to Washington, D.C. schools and community centers began almost immediately after the inauguration.  Her programs with/for D.C. school girls have been especially notable as she has worked to motivate and inspire these young women to pursue their educational goals. She has opened up the White House to the public, noting that it is the “People’s House” and will be more accessible to the people while she’s living there.  She has kept her promise to work with military families to ensure greater focus on their issues.

When she accompanied President Obama on his European trip, Michelle was received with the adoration usually reserved for rock stars.  Yet, she remained grounded and true to her purpose when she addressed the girls in a London school reminding them that they were “precious jewels” capable of directing their own lives and making a difference in the world.  Michelle’s meeting with Queen Elizabeth produced the “touch” seen around the world and criticism of this supposed breach of protocol.  But the Queen interjected her view into this controversy by stating that she had hugged Michelle first, underscoring everyone’s desire to reach out and embrace and be embraced by this loving woman.

Certainly more can be said and has, about the First Lady’s one hundred days milestone.  She has been graded during this period by folks from the View to Larry King.  However, suffice to say that one hundred days into the Obama Presidency, the First Lady’s popularity and approval ratings are as high as or higher than the President’s.  Michelle Obama appears to have overcome the negative views of some Americans, who saw her as un-patriotic and a political liability for her husband. 

We wondered what our contributors thought about these first one hundred days and if the First Lady is fulfilling many of the expectations that members of the GTM Network expressed in our book, “Go, Tell Michelle”. We questioned what they would say to Mrs. Obama at this junction of her tenure as First Lady.  So, true to form, with little lead time, we sent them the following request for their thoughts:

While the first 100 days tradition is not overtly applied to the performance of the First
Lady, we know that during this period Michelle has also endured on-going criticism
in the American media and from right wing/conservative pundits and bloggers.  From Juan Williams' prophesied characterization of her as "Stokley Carmichael in a designer dress," to the over-wrought attention paid to her bare arms, to her seeming breach of protocol by touching the Queen, Michelle has been one of the highest profiled First Ladies in the history of this country. Since your letter of November 2008, what would
you say to our First Lady Michelle Obama, now? 

The following are excerpts from the responses we received.  These few snippets from the letters of members of the GTM Network inform us, as did the original letters, about the depth, breath and magnitude of the reservoir of esteem and support that Black women have for the First Lady, President Obama and the First Family.  The messages confirm that one hundred days into this historic presidency, we are not disappointed, we continue to be buoyed and inspired by our President and First Lady and we stand ready to embrace the First Lady and all she advocates in the days to come. Thank you, Sisters, for sharing your thoughts and words of wisdom and love once again!

Thoughts From Peggy Brooks-Bertram

Like the rest of the world, I too, have been pondering over Michelle Obama’s first one hundred days as First Lady of the United States of America.  I have also been combing through my mind and examining my thoughts for the one hundredth time about the themes in the letters and poems in Go, Tell Michelle.  I thought about the individual poems and letters and I even memorized excerpts from some of them because I was so struck with their beauty and wisdom, like Lillian Bertram’s use of Cornelius Eady’s poem Gratitude  to describe the journey of African American  male writers where he writes, “for those who expected you to drown out there…well, you didn’t. ” I thought about Lillian Davis Wilson’s poem called A New Garden.   I thought repeatedly about a letter by Janice Harris, not in the original book but in the audio book and still weep at her words.  I reminisced on the lines in the letter from the African sister, Teta Banks from Liberia saying that “Liberia opens up its arms to Michelle Obama.”  I thought a lot about what I might have missed in these women’s words and so I went back over them.  When I got stuck on a particular meaning, I called some of the authors to find out what they meant by certain phrases, like Tracey Swinton Bailey.  I asked her about the North Santee  where she and Michelle Obama, transported from another time , another day, stood shoulder to shoulder  watching dark men with strong backs and quick wit and mothers with clouds of wooly hair…” Arlette Miller Smith described Michelle Obama’s choice as First Lady as lifting historic burdens from the shoulders of great Black foremothers and she called the names of women I had not known like Jarena Lee and her spiritual awakening.  I wanted to know of Jarena at least.  I combed over the letters to see what they said about Barak Obama and his love of his wife Michelle.  I was enthused all over again.

More than just the content of these writings, I became interested in both their greetings but especially the valedictions or closing of each letter to see if I could extract from them some additional meaning that would be relevant for the first one hundred days.  As it turned out, while some writers thought they had no more to say, the valedictions themselves remain a testament to each contributor’s timeless dialogue.  I have included only a few of these gems.  Together they conjure the images of a garden of beautiful closings yet beautiful openings.  And though they are their last words they are really first in the beginning of hope, love, well wishes and continued optimism for a hundred one hundred days for Michelle Obama.

 Lillian Bertram:  In Peace and Strength,
Karima Amin: Peace and love, hope and strength,
Arabella Grayson: Blessings of peace and prayers of serenity,
Doris Green: God Bless and Keep the Obama Family,
Faith Childs Davis: Living the Dream,
Amira Davis: Remember, Our Mothers Prayed,
Nicole Day:  With Love,
Priscilla Hill: Peace and Love,
Donna Aza Smith: Sending You Love,
Dera R. Williams : God Bless You and Your Family,
Anita Arnold : Bustin’ with Pride in Oklahoma,
LaRhonda Crosby-Johnson: Thank you. Thank  you.  Dear Michelle,
Ellen Grant: God’s Peace,
Sharon Holley: Yours in Sisterhood and storytelling,
Debbie Seals: Take Care, Because I Care,
Audrey Spencer: Thanks again,
Karen Bernod:  Peace,love and blessing,
Cristi Brazao: Happy mothering,
Cynthia Bond Hopson: Yours in the pursuit of excellence,
Debra Johnson: Love you and your family, keep up the good work,
Armanda Williams: Your kindred spirit,
Attica Georges: Thank you and God bless you,
Cynthia Robinson-Bios: In God We Trust,
SaBrina Brown: Your Sister in Christ,
Dr. Curly: Love and congrats,
Toni Lightfoot: Turning Wind into energy and energy into What Matters,
Rev. Melony McGant: And so it is with love,
Janeen Wilkins: We are going with you,
vonetta rhodes: Ashe!  It once was. It is so. It shall be,
Jeannette Drake: With much love,
Lori Jones: Sincerely yours in Christ,
E.Rashun Williams:  Thank you for the new dawn
Zeinabou Hadari: Highest Consideration
Rosaria Love: Sincerely, with a grateful heart
Diane Williams: Ashe!

 

 Thoughts From Kadidia V. Doumbia

Women of the world, women of all races, of all nations are supporting you; they all believe in you. They all want you to succeed and you will succeed.
What a heavy charge! What an exciting charge!
Women are mothers, sisters, wives; we make the world, we are the world.
You represent a part of this world, our world. Now the world knows what “the American dream” means.

Thoughts From Bev Jenai

1st One hundred Days – Only Stepping Stones

Quite honestly, I’ve never thought of First Lady Michelle Obama as necessarily needing advice, due to my personal and trusting belief that she’s being held by the powers that be.  I do, however, firmly believe that there is a continual need for our First Lady Michelle Obama to be reminded of the empathic support readily available to her from women of color who share common, yet unique cultural histories, plus the mutual yarns of understandings of many present and past struggles.  These alone bind us to her forever, allowing us to remain, if she allows, forever her sustainable bookends.  Such sisterhoods can never be viewed in minimalistic ways, nor taken for granted.  There is power in that which emotionally binds, and held by the divine.  Also, I personally believe that the “Spirit” will shape and utilize the Obama’s for the good of this earth and all the inhabitants of this Universe, and they will be unstoppable.

Thoughts From Juanita Dennis

It’s quite evident you are with your hubby, President Obama, all the way.  How you have embraced your role is so good for all of us. Your campaigning for children’s rights, single moms, military moms and equal pay for women is so right on.  You are so inspiring for our children.  Then displaying such a loving picture of you with your mom on the recent issue of the Essence magazine and your everlasting support and love for her by expressing “She made me who I am”—what a tribute.

 

Thoughts From Emma McFayden

A poem for our first lady
I know if you had to do the first one hundred days over
You would probably do it the same
Because no matter how close to perfect one performs
Someone will most likely place blame

To me, my sister, you have represented well
And no matter what the next one hundred days bring
You and President Obama reign

 

Thoughts From Barbara  Glover

Your authentic charm and affection charmed the Queen away from protocol, something no one has ever done.  Clearly, you are a lady of faith, strength, endurance, perseverance, confidence, poise, elegance, pride, intellect, appeal and charisma. You carry the image of First Lady admirably and you affirm the womanhood, humanity and femininity of African American women.  You are a positive image for American society and also for “Black America”.  I go to sleep safe in knowing that there is an educated, intelligent sensible female voice being heard in the corridors of power.  You and President Obama bring a genuine dignity and regality to the White House that conveys a solid and distinguished aura of integrity, calmness, and fortitude.

Thoughts From Opal Palmer Adisa

Create a new mold
You have to become even bigger, Michelle.  Break out of the tiny box in which the media would like to encase you.

Be a voice for mothers, working women, and for women all over the world who have been waiting on you.  While there has been much comparison made between President Obama and MLK, Jr. and Malcolm X, and other great leaders, including Mandela, the world has been slow to make similar comparisons between you and other formidable Black women, such as Ida B. Wells, Fannie Lou Hammer, Shirley Chisholm or even Winnie Mandela whom they had attempted to discredit in order to promote and push Nelson above her after his release.  Who are your models, in addition to your mother?  I do not believe Jackie Kennedy or Eleanor Roosevelt were the women from whom you would have fashioned yourself.  I suspect that they are not the women who would have guided you in your development, although undoubtedly their roles and presence as First Ladies must have inspired you. 

Michelle, do not hide in the shadows or allow the media or others to restrict you to being only Obama's wife, doing the ordinary First Lady duties. You have always been more than that and it is time for the world to recognize you as the smart, intelligent woman that you are, with definite ideas.  

 

Thoughts From Ambrosia Kweh-Mondoa

Congratulations on the first 100 days!
You have made the White House the house of the people where every one and anyone can visit. The White House is not a mysterious place any more where only the chosen ones are welcomed. Michelle you carry yourself with grace and dignity, with a down to earth personality.

Barrack made a good choice.......

 

Thoughts From Janice Harris

As I reflect on the first 100 days of the Obama administration, my emotions are of excitement and a renewed sense of progress and hope for the future, yet sadness and disappointment for the subjective scrutiny of the president, his administration, and family.  I am very pleased with the steadfastness of our president as he stays the course with the reformation of this country and the strengthening of alliances throughout the world.  Albeit he has inherited what seem to be insurmountable  challenges because of the legacy of the last 8 years, he is truly demonstrating qualities as the leader of this nation the likes of which I have not seen for decades.

As the first African American first lady, you also have endured unimaginable criticism.  Yet you continue to nurture your beautiful daughters while protecting them from the negative reports of the media. You continue to be the unwavering support to your loving husband, at the same time continue to maintain your grace and poise as you fulfill your role as the first lady.  

 

Thoughts From Deborah Seals

I have been closely watching your debut as first lady on the world stage and just as I thought you didn't disappoint! If I were to give you grades on a report card it would look like this:  

Handles media scrutiny 100   
Dresses appropriately 100   
Meaningful projects 100
Improves relations in the world 100
Priortizes well 100
Picks pets 100
Bares arms 100

These one hundred days have been fascinating to watch as the country’s faith is being restored and its hope renewed.  It’s a fascinating time in politics and a great moment in American history.

 

Thoughts From Shirley Sarmiento

Women of the world watch out, because we all are getting our chance to shine thru First lady Michelle Obama, finally and AT LAST we can relate with our own. Nothing is impossible.

 

 

Thoughts From Cynthia Bond Hopson

I have nothing more to say—she is as wonderful as I thought and I am so proud of her and the things she’s doing! She really is ALL THAT! And, when we have our lunch with her, I’m going to tell her so!!!!!!!

 

 

Thoughts From Allie Freeman

Her travels have taken her to other lands and in that arena; she continued to be the best. Most of all, I appreciate her interest in children and the educational process. The modeling has been outstanding. First Lady, I salute you, God bless you. I shall pray for you and your family in your journey to bring respect and responsibility to our America.

 

Thoughts From Patricia Smith Cruz

Congratulations to you and your family on your first 100 days in The White House. Many said WE could not do it, but we know, “YES WE CAN”. I say we because you have mde us all to feel like we are a part of the White House. When my family and I pray together, I imagine you and your family also praying together in the White House.

Thoughts From E. Rashun Williams

In Go, Tell Michelle: African American Women Write to the New First Lady, I wrote to Michelle Obama, our First African American First Lady of the United States of America.  One hundred days following the January 20, 2009 Inauguration, under the watchful eyes of this new, historical dawn, she has eloquently changed the way the world interprets the role of the White House First Lady.  A family and world leader, she walks with President Barak Obama in our quest for world peace, better educational opportunities, health care, and financial growth, among other quests for the wellness of our country; she doesn’t symbolically and traditionally walk behind him as First Lady.