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Today is a strange and sad day to be a woman; Trump gets sworn in as President of the United States?and with it the depressing reality that misogyny and sexism not only won him the election, he got in because of this. It’s also difficult to grasp that the world will soon have a leader which starkly contrasts everything that the Obamas’ stood for:?unity, progression, joy, love and hope. We’ve been lucky to have them for eight years and on Barack Obama’s last day in the White House, this morning seems the right time to look back at only some of the warm and brilliant moments both he and Michelle have blessed us with. Scroll for a few of our favourites:
Before he was elected president, Obama’s stirring speech about race moved millions around the world. It is considered perhaps his greatest rhetorical achievement.
When five-year-old Jacob Philadelphia visited the White House, he came with a question in mind. ?I want to know if my hair is just like yours,? he said, leading Obama to bow down and let him feel for himself. Adorable isn’t the word.
Michelle Obama speeches are?iconic; her words speak to women, for women aiming to inspire, motivate and lift when it seems the tide is forever against us. “Enough is enough,” she said that day. It wasn’t just about us, it was about our others, daughters, sisters and friends standing up for each other and saying “no more.”
Because they are the epitome of cool.
When FLOTUS spoke at the ?The Power of an Educated Girl?‘she encouraged young women to not only compete with the boys when it came to college education, but to beat them as well. ?There is no boy, at this age, cute enough or interesting enough to stop you from getting an education” She then took the notion one step further with the help of Saturday Night Live comedian Jay Pharoah dropped her first rap video, about how kids (young women and men) should go to college: “If you wanna fly jets, you should go to college. Reach high and cash checks, fill your head with knowledge.”
We’ll never be able to read that story to our kids the same way.
?My final message to young people as first lady is simple, don’t be afraid. You hear me. Young people, don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered.”
What’s been your favourite moment? Tell us in the comments!?