Michelle Obama Looks Back (and Ahead!)

Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama

The next First Lady and mom of two talks to Tonya Lewis Lee about politics, marriage and what she wants for young women.

When I first interviewed Michelle Obama for Glamour in July 2007, I was moved by her generosity of spirit, her conviction and, most of all, her realness. At that time, her campaign trail "entourage" consisted of two staff members and one really good friend.

Fast-forward one year, and I am interviewing Michelle again in the heat of her husband's campaign for president. As I approach the downtown Chicago hotel where we're meeting, I see that some things have changed-and drastically so. There's a considerable Secret Service presence now, and her staff seems to have doubled. And yet Michelle still, somehow, seems so relaxed.

Read what Glamour had to say about Michelle's election night look.

One thing I respect about Michelle is her ability to really put her family first. I know what it's like to be a career-minded mother married to a man with a big, busy life (my husband is director Spike Lee; we have a daughter and son, 13 and 11). Raising two children and keeping them grounded can be a constant challenge.

If her husband wins (Glamour went to press before the election), she jokes, she'll proudly assume the position of "mom-in-chief," and adds that her focus will always be her girls: "If [they] are happy and laughing and doing well in school and feel loved and secure, then the world could be crumbling around us and we'll still feel OK."

The 2008 campaign was long and sometimes brutal-Michelle herself was the recipient of some nasty, racist attacks. And yet, it is obvious to me after this chat that she believes her sacrifices-my word, not hers-have been for a greater good, whether or not she becomes First Lady.

Tonya Lewis Lee: Last year you said that if Barack became the nominee, it would send a message. Is it getting out there?

Michelle Obama: I think so…. We have seen the first African American nominee. We have seen the first woman who could have been the nominee…. I think for kids all around this country there are so many new possibilities that are unfolding because of what has happened in this election.

TLL: In light of the John Edwards scandal, I have to ask: How do you and Barack deal with being apart for an extended period?

MO: We have adjusted to maintaining a really solid relationship at a distance. We talk every day, every night…. If we have a moment, no matter how tired we are, we go on a date. (The dos and don'ts of long-distance love.)

TLL: Barack has talked a lot about how the women around him are so strong. And I know you've been around some incredible men-your father, your brother, your husband. What have you learned from them?

MO: I have been blessed with 100 percent positive male influences, a unique and rare gift…. The men in my life have pushed me to embrace my athleticism and my intellect, and have loved me not just because I was a cute little girl but because I was smart and clever and had a sense of humor.

TLL: America is talking so much about race because of your family. Do you think we're having the right conversation?

MO: I think any conversation we have about race is the right one, because we often don't have the conversation at all…. But we have a lot more to do. Based on what I've seen in my travels, I am very hopeful…. I think that particularly, the generation to come just views the world differently…. I am starting to see positive effects in our kids…how they view race, develop friendships and measure the value of people.

Read the rest of our revealing talk with Michelle Obama here!

Image by Matthias Vriens

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