As First Lady Michelle Obama sets to launch a mentoring program, she receives a warning from Letitia Baldrige, top aide to former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. According to the Chicago Tribune, Baldrige stated that although the program is “definitely” a first for a presidential spouse and “wonderfully imaginative,” it will be difficult because of the ongoing commitment it will require.
“This is not just a nice lecture or community gathering. Mentoring for their careers, gosh, that’s a big commitment,” said Baldrige.
Today Mrs O will kick off a mentoring program that will include 20 high school girls from the DC area. Mentees were selected by their schools, the Girl Scouts, and from military families, including Gold Start families that have lost loved ones, according to a First Lady spokeswoman.
According to the Chicago Tribune…
White House staffers Valerie Jarrett, Tina Tchen, Susan Sher and Desiree Rogers, all Chicagoans will act as mentors to the high school juniors and sophomores.
Tchen, an attorney from Chicago long active in politics, said the program builds on a March event at the White House that saw high school girls interact with the first lady, White House officials and a cast of celebrities including singers Alicia Keyes and Sheryl Crow; actresses and sisters Debbie Allen and Phylicia Rashad; actress Fran Drescher; and Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to travel into space.
Tchen said the program launch will see proteges visit their mentors’ offices and gather as a group for dinner. The inaugural class’s duration has not been decided, she said, adding that she expects discussions of college, careers, and balancing work and motherhood.
The mentors, she said, want to give proteges a “window to a wide variety of different opportunities to play out your dreams.”
A similar initiative for young men is coming soon.
Although it appears that Baldrige tries to throw shade, the Republican is a fan of the First Lady and believes the program “will burnish her reputation”.
“She’ll set a tremendous example,” said Baldrige. “She’s really gone in many directions and I think it’s fantastic that she has the energy.”
Posted by Aminah Hanan
5 Comments, Comment or Ping
admin
I’m telling you, she’s basically continuing the work she did in Chicago. I don’t know why people keep whining about her “giving up” her career.
Nov 2nd, 2009
dee84
@ Admin, I so agree about your “giving up her career” comment. I thinking to these people HELLO her career mainly focused on mentoring and helping in the community, she’s doing the same thing now but as 1st lady she has a broader reach.
The WH is 4 or 8 yrs so she’ll be late 40s or early 50s when her role is up, she will have plenty of time to go back to her career if she so desires
Nov 2nd, 2009
rikyrah
this is something I didn’t expect, but I did smile when reading the story.
Nov 2nd, 2009
GL
Sounds like a good opportunity for some lucky young ladies. I hope Bonnie got the memo. I wonder how many girls Bonnie is mentoring?
Yes it is a big commitment but how long will the students be mentored? For months or years? I hope the students make the best of it.
I like the outfit that the girl have on that’s standing beside the FL. I like her pants with that ruffle shirt.
Nov 2nd, 2009
Aminah Hanan
This is truly inspiring. Man I need to get to work!
Nov 2nd, 2009