Michelle Obama

Women's History | Michelle Obama

​Michelle Obama was the first lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. She became first lady when her husband, Barack Obama, took office as president. She was the first African American first lady.

​Michelle LaVaughn Robinson was born on January 17, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois. Her father, Fraser, worked in Chicago’s water-purification plant. Her mother, Marian, was a homemaker. Michelle and her older brother, Craig, grew up on Chicago’s South Side. Michelle learned to read by age 4. She attended public schools, where she earned good grades and was a student leader.

​Both Craig and Michelle were accepted to Princeton University. Michelle graduated in 1985 with a degree in sociology and African American studies. She then went to Harvard Law School, where she earned a law degree in 1988.

Multiple Choice

Michelle was _________.

• first lady of her country.

• an unimportant woman.

• not known.

Multiple Choice

She was born in __________.

• 1964 in London.

• in 1964 in Chicago.

• in 1960 in Chicago.

Multiple Choice

Where did Michelle Obama attend college?

• University of Chicago

• Princeton University

• South Side University

Multiple Choice

She has a....

• Brother: Craig Robinson

• Sister: Makayla Robinson

• Son: Harry Obama

• Dad: Flynn Robinson

Multiple Choice

Which one is NOT an accomplishment of Michelle Obama’s?

• She graduated with honors from Princeton University.

• She became the First African American President.

• She was a lawyer.

​Michelle became a vice president at the University of Chicago Medical Center in 2005. When her husband ran for president in 2008, Michelle left her job to help with the campaign.

​Back in Chicago, Michelle worked as an attorney in a law firm. In 1989 she met Barack Obama, who was working at the same firm. They were married in 1992.

Michelle left the law firm in 1991 to work for the mayor of Chicago. She worked for the city of Chicago until 1993, when she founded a leadership program for young adults. In 1996 she took a job at the University of Chicago. Not long afterward, the Obamas had two daughters: Malia, born in 1998, and Natasha (Sasha), born in 2001.

Multiple Choice

She is a __________.

• nurse

• teacher.

• lawyer.

​President Barack Obama took office on January 20, 2009. He, Michelle, their daughters, and Michelle’s mother moved into the White House.

Michelle quickly became a popular, stylish first lady. She gave speeches in support of military families and other causes. To promote healthy eating, she planted a vegetable garden on the White House lawn. In 2010 she launched the “Let’s Move!” campaign. Its goal was to end obesity in children.

Multiple Choice

What did Michelle Obama build at the White House when she was First Lady?

• A vegetable garden. 

• A preschool.

• A basketball court.

Multiple Choice

She married Barck Obama and had ______.

• 2 sons.

• 2 daughters.

• one son and one daughter.

Multiple Choice

What was the name of Michelle Obama’s fitness program?

• Let’s Move

• Fun Fitness

• Jump for Joy

• Run for Fun

Multiple Choice

She became ________.

• a famous youtuber.

• an Instagramer.

• a model and inspiration for other women.