Quotessence
Home / Authors / Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama Quotes

Former First Lady of the United States

Filter quotes by topic

AllPeopleKidsKnowsChildrenWantCountryBarackThinkingIfsFeelsChild ObesityGirlNeedsImportantObesityCommunityFirstsWayYearsHusband

Famous Michelle Obama Quotes

“You know, you have to start with hope...you don't get anywhere in this country without hope. So it's a necessity. What Barack says is that people have to understand hope isn't just blind optimism. It isn't passive. It isn't just sitting there waiting for things to get better. Hope is the vision that you have to have. It's the inspiration that moves people into action...There are more people engaged in this political process in this year than we've seen in my lifetime. And it is all because of hope because people believe in the possibility of something unseen.”

PeopleKnowsYearsBelieveCountryInspirationActionMovingPoliticalWaitingProcessVisionPossibilitySittingOptimismBlindLifetimeBarackGet BetterEngagedPassiveUnseenWithout HopeBlind Optimism
Author:Michelle Obama
Create image

“I come here today as a Christian, a person of faith who believes we've all been called to serve our fellow men and women and to honor God's creation. We want our girls to know right from wrong, to always tell the truth, to treat people no matter who they are with dignity and respect, no matter how different they may seem...because we want our girls to know we are all God's children and there's so much more that unites than divides us.”

PeopleKnowsMenWantBelieveMayChildrenPersonsDifferentMatterSeemsTodayChristianGirlCreationHonorMen And WomenDignityTreatsFellowsTelling The TruthDividesFellow ManGod's CreationDignity And Respect
Author:Michelle Obama
Create image

“When I was little, I wanted to be a mother, because that's who I saw. I saw my mom caring for me. I didn't play doctor. I didn't play lawyer. I didn't have those visions until I was in college, meeting people who were doing those things. That's why we're trying to encourage moms, teachers, fathers, to be that presence in their children's lives, in their communities, because it really makes a difference.”

PeopleTryingChildrenLittlesPlayWantedMotherFatherCommunityDifferencesVisionSawsTeacherCollegeMomDoctorsMeetingsMy MomCaringLawyerMaking A DifferenceBeing A Father
Author:Michelle Obama
Create image

“One thing I want to clarify - that every service member, veteran, wants us to remember - is that the vast majority of people returning from service come back completely healthy. But when we do come across someone who is struggling. We have to develop a culture of open arms and acceptance so that they feel comfortable saying, "I'm a veteran. And by the way, I need little help." This is something we need to do in this country around mental health as a whole - destigmatizing mental health.”

PeopleWayWantNeedsFeelsLittlesCountryWholeHelpingRememberCultureStruggleOne ThingAcceptanceArmsHealthyMembersComfortableMajorityMental HealthVeteranWant UOpen ArmsLittle Help
Author:Michelle Obama
Create image

“I want to feel like the things I did made a difference. That's one of the reasons I spend time greeting people on rope lines, because I'm always thinking, 'Maybe this interaction, particularly if I'm meeting kids, will change someone's life.' That's how I think about the work I do as First Lady. It's a rare spotlight. I want to make sure I don't waste it.”

PeopleIfsThinkingWantFeelsFirstsMadeReasonKidsDifferencesLinesWasteMeetingsInteractionEnd TimesRopeSpend TimeSpotlightFirst LadyGreetingsAlways Thinking
Author:Michelle Obama
Create image

“I always encourage people to start in their own personal universe, because sometimes we as parents start thinking about the big picture. How do I change what's happening in my entire school? And how do I do it in my community? And then you get overwhelmed and it's just like, "Forget it, I'll just stay here in my kitchen and wait." But, start small.”

PeopleThinkingSometimesBigsSchoolUniverseWaitingParentCommunityForgetHappeningsKitchenOverwhelmedForget ItBig Picture
Author:Michelle Obama
Create image

“I was out there meeting with a lot of working moms and whenever I would gather a group of women, there was always a voice that was unfamiliar to me, and it was the voice of a military spouse, oftentimes a woman, oftentimes working, many times in a position where they've had to move every two or three years, where their kids have had to change school multiple times, people dealing - families dealing with multiple deployments, dealing with the stresses of reconnection.”

PeopleYearsTwoKidsSchoolMovingThreeVoiceGroupsMilitaryPositionMomStressMeetingsThree YearsMultipleSpouseUnfamiliarDeploymentWorking ManWorking MomMilitary Spouse
Author:Michelle Obama
Create image

“These are things that we hear from military families everywhere we go. But it - on PTSD, the thing that I want to make sure people understand is that the vast majority of veterans and military families aren't dealing with any kind of mental health. But there are - these are what are called the invisible wounds of this war. And many times they don't present.”

PeopleWantKindWarMilitaryMajorityMental HealthWoundsInvisibleVeteranPtsdMilitary Family
Author:Michelle Obama
Create image

“Celebrating the holidays in the White House over these past eight years has been a true privilege. We've been able to welcome over half a million guests... our outstanding pastry chefs have baked 200,000 holiday cookies... and Barack [Obama] has treated the American people to countless dad jokes.”

PeopleYearsHas BeensAblePastHouseWhiteHalfMillionsDadJokesPrivilegeEightTreatedWelcomeCelebrateBarackHolidayWhite HouseGuestsChefCookiesOutstandingPastriesPastry Chef
Author:Michelle Obama
Create image

“I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them. I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity.”

PeopleGirlExampleTaughtQuietEmpowermentDignityExtraordinaryWomen EmpowermentEmpowering WomenPowerful WomenEmpowered WomenWomen Empowering WomenInspirational WomenSuccessful WomenWomen In HistoryWomen StrengthQuiet Strength
Author:Michelle Obama
Create image

“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.”

PeopleThinkingFirstsWellsHas BeensCountryDoneMovingProudAdultsFirst TimeLifetimeHungryOur CountryBarackDesperatePatriotismMoving InProud To Be An American
Book:Michelle Obama: In Her Own Words
Create image

“And in my own life, in my own small way, I've tried to give back to this country that has given me so much. That's why I left a job at a law firm for a career in public service, working to empower young people to volunteer in their communities. Because I believe that each of us - no matter what our age or background or walk of life - each of us has something to contribute to the life of this nation.”

PeopleWayGivingBelieveCountryMatterAgeJobsLawYoungLeftGivenI BelieveNationsCommunityMy OwnWalksCareersNo Matter WhatBackgroundsFirmEmpoweringVolunteerGiving BackPublic ServiceMy Own LifeWalks Of LifeLaw Firms
Author:Michelle Obama
Create image

“Fortunately, we have help from the media. I have to say this: I'm very grateful for the support and kindness that we've gotten. People have respected their privacy and in that way, I think, you know, no matter what people may feel about my husband's policies or what have you, they care about children and that's been good to see.”

PeopleThinkingKnowsWayFeelsMayChildrenMatterHelpingCareKindnessSupportMediaPolicyHusbandNo Matter WhatGratefulPrivacyMy Husband
Author:Michelle Obama
Create image