Words of Admiration for First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton

Strong, Smart, Successful, Powerful, Influential. Oh- and wife and mother.  Even if you do not agree with their political views, it is hard to not admire these 2 women. Both women have high approval and favorably ratings of roughly 66%. Here is why....

Most are aware that Michele Obama was raised on the south side of Chicago but has an Ivy league education with an undergraduate degree from Princeton and a law degree from Harvard. After law school she returned to Chicago to work at the law firm Sidley Austin where she met her future husband. She campaigned brilliantly for him during the race for the presidency in 2008 and gave the keynote address at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. She is the mother of their 2 beautiful daughters and has become a fashion icon often compared to former first Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

The First Lady has had two main focuses while in office. Along with the vice president's wife-Dr.Biden, they have been touring the country promoting "Joining Forces". An organization that assists military families. It showcases ways ordinary Americans can support and  help these families by pledging service hours and sending messages of thanks, ensuring veterans get the opportunities they have earned, supporting military spouses and creating a stronger connection between the American public and military families.

Her other main focus has been the fight against childhood obesity. With her "Let's Move" campaign she has promoted exercise as well as healthy eating and living for children and families. She has made appearances on TV shows such as "The Biggest Loser" during which she exercised with the trainers and contestants. She has also planted a vegetable garden at the White House.

Besides all of the above attributes, The First Lady is to me just a basic likable human being. She is simply radiant. In every speech or TV appearance that I have viewed, she is eloquent, funny, supportive of her husband and this country and speaks with love and pride when discussing her children and her husband. When asked what is her most important role, she always states its being a mother. She is a great example of multitasking at its best fitting the image that most of us have of a First Lady.

Secretary of State Hilary Rodham Clinton. Yes the Clintons are well known and have been in the news for decades. Rightfully so as President Bill Clinton served 2 successful terms as President amid scandals and impeachment. Even as Governor prior to his presidency, the rumor mill of improper conduct had begun but the former first lady stood by her husband. She most definitely has lived up to their wedding vows of "for better or for worse" :-) During this time she also raised their daughter Chelsea who is successful in her own right having attended Stanford and Columbia, who worked at a consulting firm in NYC, the Clinton Foundation and as a NBC news special correspondent and is also now a wife. I am sure Hilary Clinton had her own agenda in being a loyal wife to her controversial and successful husband including her failed attempt to get health care legislation passed during her husband's presidency. She then ran against the current president in 2008 for the Democratic nomination. Ironically, her approval ratings were lowest around that time. Many Americans, including Democrats, saw the Clinton's as very polarizing figures. Democrats were afraid that they were so disliked that Republicans and Independents who don't normally vote would turn out in droves to vote against Hilary Clinton for President. I felt this overshadowed her talents and intelligence and her platform. I was very pleased that she was chosen by the President for a cabinet position as Secretary of State. Only the 3rd woman in US history to do so. Finally, Hilary has had her chance to shine in front of and not behind her husband.

As stated above, as Secretary of State Hilary Clinton has had her highest approval ratings. So much so that there is talk of her running for the presidency in 2016. She is currently 64 and therefore would be 69 in 2016 if she decides to run. But she doesn't look it!! If anything I think she looks younger and more alive than she has in years. This year there were photos published of her literally "letting her hair down", drinking a beer and dancing in Columbia after several long days of work there with the President and her cabinet. The pics went viral! I think most people like myself were happy to see someone who has endured so much negativity in the press, due to her personal and public life, get to just simply-have fun. She has also been photographed recently without makeup and wearing her glasses vs contact lenses. Again, good for her. She has earned the right at her age and service to feel comfortable and relaxed on occasion. Most women can relate to this feeling. The antidote to feeling like you always have to be "on" and "made up". There were also the "texts from Hilary" tumbler in which she took part in comedic texts sent out from a "fake" Hilary Clinton.

All that aside, she has traveled the world tirelessly as a successful Secretary of State. She has done so with a strong hand and negotiating constantly on our President's behalf and with our country's best interest at heart. Going up against world leaders who are mostly still male is not an easy feat especially as a petite woman and in countries in which women are still considered to be second class citizens.
For all this and more I say-Bravo Hilary!! Bravo!

Thoughts?