Michelle Obama

"Don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own."

- Michelle Obama

"Grief and resilience live together."

- Michelle Obama

"The fact is, with every friendship you make and every bond of trust you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world."

- Michelle Obama

"Success isn’t about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives."

- Michelle Obama

"Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own."

- Michelle Obama

"For me, becoming isn't about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn't end."

- Michelle Obama

"Don't ever make decisions based on fear. Make decisions based on hope and possibility."

- Michelle Obama

""Don't be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered.""

- Michelle Obama

""Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if it feels like your own.""

- Michelle Obama

""It is absolutely still possible to make a difference.""

- Michelle Obama

"Do not ever let anyone ever make you feel like you don't matter, or like you don't have a place in our American story—because you do."

- Michelle Obama

"The mirror can be both a friend and a foe, reflecting our insecurities but also our strengths."

- Michelle Obama

"Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered."

- Michelle Obama

"Am I good enough? Yes, I am."

- Michelle Obama

"Becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end."

- Michelle Obama

"Don't be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered."

- Michelle Obama

"Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if it feels like your own."

- Michelle Obama

"It is absolutely still possible to make a difference."

- Michelle Obama

"There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish."

- Michelle Obama

"When you are struggling and start thinking about giving up, remember the power of hope."

- Michelle Obama

"You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own."

- Michelle Obama

"You can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen."

- Michelle Obama

"Failure is a feeling long before it becomes an actual result. It’s vulnerability that breeds with self-doubt and then is escalated, often deliberately, by fear."

- Michelle Obama

"For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn't end."

- Michelle Obama

"One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals."

- Michelle Obama

"We would never tell someone with a broken leg that they should stop wallowing and get it together. We don’t consider taking medication for an ear infection something to be ashamed of. We shouldn’t treat mental health conditions any differently."

- Michelle Obama

"Whether an illness affects your heart, your arm, or your brain, it’s still an illness, and there shouldn’t be any distinction … We don’t consider taking medication for an ear infection something to be ashamed of. We shouldn’t treat mental health conditions any differently."

- Michelle Obama

"At the end of the day, my most important job is still mom-in-chief."

- Michelle Obama

"History has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own."

- Michelle Obama

"One Of The Lessons That I Grew Up With Was To Always Stay True To Yourself And Never Let What Somebody Else Says Distract You From Your Goals."

- Michelle Obama

"When you've worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity, you do not slam it shut behind you."

- Michelle Obama

"One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don’t invest any energy in them, because I know who I am."

- Michelle Obama

"You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world's problems at once but don't ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own."

- Michelle Obama

"When girls are educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous."

- Michelle Obama

"There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish, whether that’s in politics or other fields."

- Michelle Obama

"Don’t let anyone speak for you, and don’t rely on others to fight for you."

- Michelle Obama

"I have learned that as long as I hold fast to my beliefs and values – and follow my own moral compass – then the only expectations I need to live up to are my own."

- Michelle Obama

"As women achieve power, the barriers will fall. As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more women out there doing things, and we’ll all be better off for it."

- Michelle Obama

"There's power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there's grace in being willing to know and hear others."

- Michelle Obama

"Failure is an important part of your growth and developing resilience."

- Michelle Obama

"For me, becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn’t end."

- Michelle Obama

"The fact is, with every friendship you make, and every bond of trust you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world."

- Michelle Obama

"Success is not about how much money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives."

- Michelle Obama

"There are still many causes worth sacrificing for, so much history yet to be made."

- Michelle Obama

"There is no boy, at this age, cute enough or interesting enough to stop you from getting an education, If I had worried about who liked me and who thought I was cute when I was your age, I wouldn’t be married to the President of the United States."

- Michelle Obama

"Now I think it’s one of the most useless questions an adult can ask a child—What do you want to be when you grow up? As if growing up is finite. As if at some point you become something and that’s the end."

- Michelle Obama

"Your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude."

- Michelle Obama

"I love our daughters more than anything in the world, more than life itself. So for me, being Mom-in-Chief is, and always will be, job number one."

- Michelle Obama

"Women and girls can do whatever they want. There is no limit to what we as women can accomplish."

- Michelle Obama

"Success isn’t about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives."

- Michelle Obama

"The difference between a broken community and a thriving one is the presence of women who are valued."

- Michelle Obama

"The easiest way to disregard a woman’s voice is to package her as a scold."

- Michelle Obama

"As society sees what women can do, as women see what women can do, there will be more women out there doing things, and we’ll all be better off for it."

- Michelle Obama

"People who are truly strong lift others up. People who are truly powerful bring others together."

- Michelle Obama

"If my future were determined just by my performance on a standardized test, I wouldn’t be here. I guarantee you that."

- Michelle Obama

"Success isn’t about how much money you make. It’s about the difference you make in people’s lives."

- Michelle Obama

"When you’ve got a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go."

- Michelle Obama

"The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."

- Michelle Obama

"You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it’s important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages."

- Michelle Obama

"Find people who will make you better."

- Michelle Obama

"You have to stay in school. You have to. You have to go to college. You have to get your degree. Because that’s the one thing people can’t take away from you is your education. And it is worth the investment."

- Michelle Obama

"We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to do’ list."

- Michelle Obama

"Today, we are celebrating the strength, determination, and resilience of women everywhere."

- Michelle Obama

"No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half of its citizens."

- Michelle Obama

""Friendships between women, as any woman will tell you, are built of a thousand small kindnesses... swapped back and forth and over again.""

- Michelle Obama

"Friendships between women, as any woman will tell you, are built of a thousand small kindnesses... swapped back and forth and over again."

- Michelle Obama

""There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.""

- Michelle Obama

""Don’t let anyone speak for you, and don’t rely on others to fight for you.""

- Michelle Obama

"When girls become educated, their countries become stronger and more prosperous."

- Michelle Obama

"The ability to read, write, and analyze; the confidence to stand up and demand justice and equality; the qualifications and connections to get your foot in that door and take your seat at that table—all of that starts with education."

- Michelle Obama

"Friendships between women, as any woman will tell you, are built of a thousand small kindnesses … swapped back and forth and over again."

- Michelle Obama

"Every day, you have the power to choose our better history — by opening your hearts and minds, by speaking up for what you know is right."

- Michelle Obama

"Failure is an important part of your growth and developing resilience. Don’t be afraid to fail."

- Michelle Obama

"We learned about gratitude and humility - that so many people had a hand in our success."

- Michelle Obama

"There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there’s grace in being willing to know and hear others."

- Michelle Obama

"Determination gets you a long way."

- Michelle Obama

"Watching my daughters grow into the people they are today has been the greatest joy of my life."

- Michelle Obama

"Find the people who will make you better."

- Michelle Obama

"Do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter."

- Michelle Obama

"Instead of letting your hardships and failures discourage or exhaust you, let them inspire you."

- Michelle Obama

""Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own.""

- Michelle Obama

"Failing is a crucial part of success. Every time you fail and get back up, you practice perseverance, which is the key to life. Your strength comes in your ability to recover."

- Michelle Obama

"“The fact is, with every friendship you make and every bond of trust you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world.”"

- Michelle Obama

"There is no magic to achievement. It's really about hard work, choices, and persistence."

- Michelle Obama

"Empower yourselves with a good education, then get out there and use that education to build a country worthy of your boundless promise."

- Michelle Obama

"It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about where you get yourself in the end. There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice."

- Michelle Obama

"Your brilliance shines through in everything you do."

- Michelle Obama

"Our greatness has always come from people who expect nothing and take nothing for granted - folks who work hard for what they have, then reach back and help others after them."

- Michelle Obama

"I tell my kids, 'I am thinking about you every other minute of my day.'"

- Michelle Obama

"One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don't invest any energy in them, because I know who I am."

- Michelle Obama

"Do not bring people in your life who weigh you down, and trust your instincts. Good relationships feel good. They feel right. They don’t hurt. They’re not painful. That’s not just with somebody you want to marry, but it’s with the friends you choose. It’s with the people you surround yourself with."

- Michelle Obama

"All children should have the basic nutrition they need to learn and grow and to pursue their dreams, because, in the end, nothing is more important than the health and well-being of our children."

- Michelle Obama

"Life begins at thirty. It’s the perfect age to take risks, set new goals, and chase after your passions."

- Michelle Obama

"Just do what works for you, because there will always be somebody who thinks differently."

- Michelle Obama

"At 54, I am still in progress, and I hope that I always will be."

- Michelle Obama

"I like me. I like my story and all the bumps and bruises. That’s what makes me uniquely me."

- Michelle Obama

"The ability to read, write, and analyze; the confidence to stand up and demand justice and equality; the qualifications and connections to get your foot in the door and take your seat at the table — all of that starts with education."

- Michelle Obama

"If my future were determined just by my performance on a standardized test, I wouldn’t be here. I guarantee you that."

- Michelle Obama

"If my future were determined just by my performance on a standardized test, I wouldn't be here. I guarantee you that."

- Michelle Obama

"Success isn't about how much money you make, it's about the difference you make in people's lives."

- Michelle Obama

"Friendships between women, as any woman will tell you, are built of a thousand small kindnesses... swapped back and forth and over again,"

- Michelle Obama

"There is no magic to achievement. It’s really about hard work, choices, and persistence."

- Michelle Obama

"Always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals"

- Michelle Obama

"We learned about honesty and integrity – that the truth matters… that you don’t take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules… and success doesn’t count unless you earn it fair and square."

- Michelle Obama

"What I love about Juneteenth is that even in that extended wait, we still find something to celebrate. Even though the story has never been tidy, and Black folks have had to march and fight for every inch of our freedom, our story is nonetheless one of progress."

- Michelle Obama

"Success isn't about the money you make, it is about the difference you make in people's lives."

- Michelle Obama

"Friendships between women, as many women will tell you, are built of a thousand small kindnesses…swapped back and forth and over again."

- Michelle Obama

"I never cut class. I loved getting A's, I liked being smart. I liked being on time. I thought being smart is cooler than anything in the world."

- Michelle Obama

"If you don’t get out there and define yourself, you’ll be quickly and inaccurately defined by others."

- Michelle Obama

"One light feeds another. One strong family lends strength to more. One engaged community can ignite those around it. This is the power of the light we carry."

- Michelle Obama

"Am I good enough? Yes I am."

- Michelle Obama

"If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's the power of using your voice."

- Michelle Obama

""I love our daughters more than anything in the world, more than life itself. So for me, being Mom-in-Chief is, and always will be, job number one.""

- Michelle Obama

"Choose people who lift you up"

- Michelle Obama

"You have to fill your bucket with positive energy—and if you have people hanging around you that are bringing you down and not lifting you up, whether that's your 'boo' or your best friend–you have to learn how to push these people to the side."

- Michelle Obama

"Starting every year, before I booked anything, or agreed to any meetings or conferences, we’d sit down with my assistant and we looked at our lives first. We planned that out first, and then what was left would be left for work."

- Michelle Obama

"I now tried a new hypothesis: It was possible that I was more in charge of my happiness than I was allowing myself to be."

- Michelle Obama

"The person with the biggest impact on your education is you"

- Michelle Obama

"Success isn’t about the money you make; it’s about the difference you make in people’s lives."

- Michelle Obama

"There's nothing easy about finding your way through a world loaded with obstacles that others can't or don't see."

- Michelle Obama

"I believe that each of us carries a bit of inner brightness, something entirely unique and individual, a flame that's worth protecting. When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it. When we learn to foster what's unique in the people around us, we become better able to build compassionate communities and make meaningful change."

- Michelle Obama

"For every door that’s been opened to me, I’ve tried to open my door to others. And here is what I have to say, finally: Let’s invite one another in."

- Michelle Obama

"It may be a while before we find our footing again. The losses will reverberate for years to come. We will get shaken and shaken again. The world will remain both beautiful and broken. The uncertainties aren’t going away. But when equilibrium isn’t possible, we are challenged to evolve."

- Michelle Obama

"Just try new things. Don’t be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and soar, all right?"

- Michelle Obama

"The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work hard for them."

- Michelle Obama

"Disappointment is a stepping stone to resilience. It toughens you up and prepares you for the challenges that lie ahead."

- Michelle Obama

"I felt lost and alone and I felt like I failed because I didn’t know how common miscarriages were because we don’t talk about it. We sit in our own pain, thinking that somehow we’re broken… I think it’s the worst thing we do to each other as women — not share the truth about our bodies and how they work, and how they don’t work."

- Michelle Obama

"I felt lost and alone, and I felt like I failed. I didn't know how common miscarriages were because we don't talk about them. We sit in our own pain, thinking that somehow we're broken."

- Michelle Obama

"We were planting seeds of change, the fruit of which we might never see. We had to be patient."

- Michelle Obama

"Through every storm, my son is the anchor of my soul."

- Michelle Obama

"We explain when someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you do not stoop to their level. Our motto is when they go low, you go high."

- Michelle Obama

"Women endure entire lifetimes of these indignities—in the form of catcalls, groping, assault, oppression. These things injure us. They sap our strength. Some of the cuts are so small they’re barely visible. Others are huge and gaping, leaving scars that never heal. Either way, they accumulate. We carry them everywhere, to and from school and work, at home while raising our children, at our places of worship, anytime we try to advance."

- Michelle Obama

"When someone is cruel or acts like a bully, you do not stoop to their level. Our motto is when they go low, you go high."

- Michelle Obama

"We should make it clear that getting help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of strength."

- Michelle Obama

"I tell my kids, ‘I am thinking about you every other minute of my day.’"

- Michelle Obama

""One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals.""

- Michelle Obama

"For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction."

- Michelle Obama

"You may not always have a comfortable life, and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own."

- Michelle Obama

"If I were to start a file on things nobody tells you about until you're right in the thick of them, I might begin with miscarriages. A miscarriage is lonely, painful, and demoralizing almost on a cellular level. When you have one, you will likely mistake it for a personal failure, which it is not. Or a tragedy, which, regardless of how utterly devastating it feels in the moment, it also is not. What nobody tells you is that miscarriage happens all the time, to more women than you'd ever guess, given the relative silence around it."

- Michelle Obama

"To be a good parent, you need to take care of yourself so that you can have the physical and emotional energy to take care of your family."

- Michelle Obama

"Remember that just because you hit bottom doesn’t mean you have to stay there"

- Michelle Obama

"Failure is a part of the process. You just learn to pick yourself back up."

- Michelle Obama

"You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have, because history has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own."

- Michelle Obama

"You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once, but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own."

- Michelle Obama

"My mother’s love has always been a sustaining force for our family, and one of my greatest joys is seeing her integrity, her compassion, her intelligence reflected in my daughters."

- Michelle Obama

"Find people who will make you better"

- Michelle Obama

"IWe would never tell someone with a broken leg that they should stop wallowing and get it together. We don’t consider taking medication for an ear infection something to be ashamed of. We shouldn’t treat mental health conditions any differently."

- Michelle Obama

"My father taught me to work hard, laugh often, and keep my word."

- Michelle Obama

"“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.”"

- Michelle Obama

"Fire has its beauty, but it can also be unpredictable and destructive. It’s a reminder that power should always be handled with caution."

- Michelle Obama

"You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it's important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages."

- Michelle Obama

"You may not always have a comfortable life, and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once, but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own."

- Michelle Obama

"Let me tell you, he is the hole in my heart. His loss is my scar. But let me tell you something, his memory drives me forward every single day of my life."

- Michelle Obama

"Whether we are born here or seek refuge here, there’s a place for us all. We must remember it’s not my America or your America. It’s our America."

- Michelle Obama

"You cannot take your freedoms for granted. Just like generations who have come before you, you have to do your part to preserve and protect those freedoms."

- Michelle Obama

"Even though the story has never been tidy, and Black folks have had to march and fight for every inch of our freedom, our story is nonetheless one of progress."

- Michelle Obama

"What I love about #Juneteenth is that even in that extended wait, we still find something to celebrate."

- Michelle Obama

"Becoming isn’t about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving."

- Michelle Obama