In 2008, Michelle Obama was thrust onto the national stage as she become First Lady of the United States. She quickly won over Americans with her intelligence, grace, and West Wing wit.
As she prepares to leave the White House, we’re taking a look back at some of her most memorable quotes. These words offer insight into Mrs. Obama’s views on everything from politics to parenting to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or just getting to know her, these quotes will show you why Michelle Obama is one First Lady you don’t want to miss.
Michelle Obama Quotes 2024
1. “There are still many causes worth sacrificing for, so much history yet to be made.” ― Michelle Obama
2. “You can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.” – Michelle Obama
3. “Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own.” – Michelle Obama
4. “There is no magic to achievement. It’s really about hard work, choices, and persistence.” – Michelle Obama
5. “If you are committed to doing what it takes, anything is possible. It’s up to you.” – Michelle Obama
6. “No country can ever truly flourish if it stifles the potential of its women and deprives itself of the contributions of half its citizen.” – Michelle Obama
7. “Success is only meaningful and enjoyable if it feels like your own.” – Michelle Obama
8. “Walk away from friendships that make you feel small and insecure and seek out people who inspire you and support you.” – Michelle Obama
9. “Real change comes from having enough comfort to be really honest and say something very uncomfortable.” – Michelle Obama
10. “We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to do’ list.” – Michelle Obama
11. “If my future were determined just by my performance on a standardized test, I wouldn’t be here. I guarantee you that.” – Michelle Obama
12. “I’ve seen firsthand that being president doesn’t change who you are. It reveals who you are.” – Michelle Obama
13. “Empower yourself with a good education.” – Michelle Obama
14. “The lesson being that in life, you control what you can.” ― Michelle Obama
15. “Bullies were scared people hiding inside scary people.” ― Michelle Obama
17. “People who are truly strong lift others up. People who are truly powerful bring others together.” ― Michelle Obama
18. “I have had to learn that my voice has value. And if I don’t use it, what’s the point of being in the room?” ― Michelle Obama
19. “Grief and resilience live together.” ― Michelle Obama
20. “Good relationships feel good. They feel right. They don’t hurt.” ― Michelle Obama
21. “The easiest way to disregard a woman’s voice is to package her as a scold.” ― Michelle Obama
22. “I was deeply, delightfully in love with a guy whose forceful intellect and ambition could possibly end up swallowing mine.” ― Michelle Obama
23. “I’ve learned that it’s harder to hate up close.” ― Michelle Obama
24. “I hate diversity workshops. “Real change comes from having enough comfort to be really honest and say something very uncomfortable.” ― Michelle Obama
25. “Focus on what you can control. Be a good person every day. Vote. Read. Treat one another kindly. Follow the law. Don’t tweet nasty stuff.” ― Michelle Obama
26. “No one, I realized, was going to look out for me unless I pushed for it.” ― Michelle Obama
27. “Most people were good people if you just treated them well.” ― Michelle Obama
28. “And there’s grace in being willing to know and hear others. This, for me, is how we become.” ― Michelle Obama
29. “Inspiration on its own was shallow; you had to back it up with hard work.” ― Michelle Obama
30. “It hurts to live after someone has died. It just does.” ― Michelle Obama
31. “It felt perverse, how the world just carried on. How everyone was still here, except for my Suzanne.” ― Michelle Obama
32. “The punches hurt, even if I understood that they had little to do with who I really was as a person.” ― Michelle Obama
33. “The more popular you became, the more haters you acquired.” ― Michelle Obama
34. “There are still many causes worth sacrificing for, so much history yet to be made.” ― Michelle Obama
35. “If my future were determined just by my performance on a standardized test, I wouldn’t be here. I guarantee you that.” ― Michelle Obama
36. “Whether you come from a council estate or a country estate, your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude.” ― Michelle Obama
37. “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
38. “You can’t make decisions based on fear and the possibility of what might happen.” ― Michelle Obama
39. “When they go low, we go high.” ― Michelle Obama
40. “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
41. “For every door that’s been opened to me, I’ve tried to open my door to others.” ― Michelle Obama
42. “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
43. “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
44. “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
45. “We should always have three friends in our lives-one who walks ahead who we look up to and follow; one who walks beside us, who is with us every step of our journey; and then, one who we reach back for and bring along after we’ve cleared the way.” ― Michelle Obama
46. “I’ve seen first-hand that being president doesn’t change who you are. It reveals who you are.” ― Michelle Obama
47. “We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own ‘to do list.” ― Michelle Obama
48. “Success isn’t about how much money you make. It’s about the difference you make in people’s lives.” – Michelle Obama
49. “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
50. “Find people who will make you better.” – Michelle Obama
51. “You can’t just sit around. Don’t expect anybody to come and hand you anything. It doesn’t work that way. – Michelle Obama
52. “Every day you have the power to choose.” – Michelle Obama
53. “One of the things I realized is that if you do not take control over your time and your life, other people will gobble it up.” – Michelle Obama
54. “Failure is a feeling long before it becomes an actual result.” – Michelle Obama
55. “We need people who believe that global warming is real.” – Michelle Obama
56. “Success isn’t about how your life looks to others. It’s about how it feels to you. We realized that being successful isn’t about being impressive, it’s about being inspired.” – Michelle Obama
57.“There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” – Michelle Obama
58. “Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered.” – Michelle Obama
59. “What I knew from working in professional environments—from recruiting new lawyers for Sidley & Austin to hiring staff at the White House—is that sameness breeds more sameness, until you make a thoughtful effort to counteract it.” – Michelle Obama
60. “Focus on what you can control. Be a good person every day. Vote. Read. Treat one another kindly. Follow the law. Don’t tweet nasty stuff.” – Michelle Obama
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Conclusion : Michelle Obama Quotes 2024
Michelle Obama is a source of wisdom and inspiration for many people all over the world. Her words have power, and we can all learn something from her about strength, resilience, and hope.
What do you think Michelle Obama’s quotes mean to you? How will you apply them in your life? Let us know in the comments below.
