My first "She Inspires" is dedicated to the intelligent, beautiful, mother, wife, and epitome of class and grace, First Lady of the United States Mrs. Michelle Obama.
I'll never forget the first time I heard a speech delivered by Mrs. Obama. It was January 2008; I had just started my first full-time position post-undergrad at the American Bar Association in Washington, DC. While at work, I listenedto a Youtube video (yes, not watched, because I was at work) of the then candidate Obama's wife speak on my brand new touch-screen iPod (1st generation). I'll never forget that speech because of the impact it has had on my life.
No teleprompters, speech-writers, it was a genuine, honest speech about fear and possibility. How fear holds us back from greatness or even the possibility of greatness. I excelled in academics all of my life but for some reason, perhaps lack of confidence, or maybe even the fear of failure; I had based a lot of my decisions (or at least big decisions) on fear.
Moving forward I googled and learned everything about Mrs. Obama. She inspired me in so many ways including to apply to the University of Pennsylvania and I admire her for remaining true to self, motivating others, and setting an example for so many young girls and women around the world (including Melania Trump *wink*).
Mrs. Obama-- thank you so much for inspiring me to be the best version of myself.
~Signed Chantal Victoria — Writer, Publisher, and Academic.
Whatever your opinion might be of her, you can't deny that she pioneered celebrity coverage of the hip-hop community way before hip-hop became a mainstream genre of music.