Michelle Obama, America's First Lady

President-elect Barack Obama's wife, Michelle Obama, is not only the first black First Lady but one of the youngest presidential wives since Jackie Kennedy. Many supporters see Michelle as independent, honest woman who is not afraid to speak her mind as well as a committed and devoted mother. Her impressive educational background included degrees from Princeton and Harvard Law School.

Michelle grew up in a small house in Chicago's South Shore neighborhood. Mrs. Obama says her parents' commitment to perseverance and hard work has gotten her to where she is today. After graduating from Harvard Law School she joined a Chicago law firm for three years, where she met future husband Barack Obama. The couple got married in 1992 and had two daughters, Malia and Sasha.

During her husband's presidential campaign, Michelle made great effort to make sure their children had both parents around, striving for a good work-life balance. "Our lives are so close to normal, if there is such a thing when you're running for President," she has said. "When I'm off the road, I'm going to Target to get the toilet paper, I'm standing on soccer fields, and I think there's just a level of connection that gets lost the further you get into being a candidate."

As first lady, Mrs. Obama has said, she plans to make herself an advocate for working parents, particularly military families, urging better access to child care for all.