Michelle Obama Watch

First Lady Michelle Obama graces the December cover of Glamour magazine for their annual Women of the Year Issue. 2009 was definitely the year of Michelle Obama. From becoming the Nation’s first African American First Lady to inviting the DC community to become members of the exclusive White House visitors club, Michelle Obama has undoubtedly been a breathe of fresh air for women everywhere. According to Glamour, the First Lady is also working on “establishing mentor relationships between top women in the administration and girls in need in DC, and is encouraging women leaders around the country to do the same where they live.”

No frivolous workout tips or fashion ohs and ahs, this interview seems to have the promise of some real substance. Interviewed by Katie Couric, Mrs Obama gives her take on mentoring, men, and role models.

Mentoring matters, especially for young women: “I think that mentoring is such a critical part of the role I can play in this position. I see how little bits of exposure and big bits of exposure really change my girls significantly, and I want that for more girls around the country and the world.”

The real role models aren’t movie stars–they’re the people you know: “They were the people in my life. My mom, for sure. My dad. The teachers. For me, role-modeling was immediate, it was touchable…Children connect with who is in their lives, present and accounted for…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.”

If you don’t know by now, I’m a sucka for love and my heart burst whenever I hear women who know give sound relationship advice. So this is one of my favorite quotes from the interview:

With men, don’t be swayed by “cute”: “Cute’ good. But cute only lasts for so long, and then it’s, Who are you as a person? Don’t look at the bankbook or the title. Look at the heart. Look at the soul…When you’re dating a man, you should always feel good…You shouldn’t be in a relationship with somebody who doesn’t make you completely happy and make you feel whole.”

To read more click here.  The Women of the Year Issue hits newsstands next week.

Aminah Hanan