First Lady Michelle Obama - Finding Her Place Among the Great Ladies in History

On inauguration day not only was Barrack Obama sworn in as President of the United States but his wife, Michelle Obama, officially became First Lady. Even though there is no official swearing in of the first lady she does quietly accept the position bestowed upon her by virtue of being married to the president. Just as the president begins work in his office in the West Wing of the White House after the inauguration, so does the first lady begin work of her own. And, also like the president, she is just as likely to be praised or criticized depending upon what she does, or does not do while her husband is in office.

The position of First Lady today is an anomaly in today's society where women are educated and hold high-powered, high salaried jobs. Whereas Martha Washington or Mary Todd Lincoln were expected only to know how to run a household and entertain, today's women do not take a back seat to their husband's career. Yet, the position of the First Lady is not an elected position, does not carry any official duties and, most importantly, does not receive a salary. Even so, first ladies attend important functions with the president, sometimes even in place of the president. First ladies are in charge of entertaining at the White House, decorating for events, and entertaining wives of visiting presidents and diplomats. Over the past century many first ladies have also chosen to support and promote humanitarian or charitable causes that they feel need to be brought to the public's attention. And, no president's wife has ever held a paying job while holding the position of First Lady.

So, how does an intelligent, educated woman like Mrs. Obama fit into this role? Mrs. Obama studied at Princeton University and graduated with a law degree from Harvard Law School. She has held positions in a law office, as assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago's City Hall, and was the executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies. Before taking time off to campaign for her husband, Mrs. Obama worked at the University of Chicago as an associated dean of student services. Now, as First Lady, Mrs. Obama will no longer be receiving compensation for her work other than the knowledge that she is in a position to help more people on a grander scale.

Even though the position of First Lady is not recognized as an official job, it is still an important one and many past first ladies have been able to accomplish great things through their work. Edith Bolling Galt Wilson assisted her husband, President Woodrow Wilson, in the affairs of the country when he became partially paralyzed from a stroke in 1919. While she didn't initiate any policies or programs, and let each department head run their division, she did bring matters she felt were important to her husband's attention. She later referred to her duties as taking stewardship for her husband but has since been dubbed the "first woman to run the government". Eleanor Roosevelt was the eyes and ears for her husband who was limited in his mobility. She was a strong supporter for the underprivileged and worked tirelessly to make a better society for everyone. She held press conferences, unheard of in her day for a First Lady, traveled all over the country, and expressed her own opinions in lectures, radio broadcasts and in her daily newspaper column. Hillary Clinton broke barriers as First Lady when she accepted to chair the Task Force on National Health Care Reform offered by her husband, President Bill Clinton. She moved the office of the First Lady to the West Wing to work as an equal alongside her husband. Many First Ladies, such as Barbara Bush and Laura Bush, used their position to bring about much needed change in illiteracy, education and the plight of women abroad.

Unfortunately, the position of First Lady is not immune to criticism about everything from their wardrobe to their beliefs. Mary Todd Lincoln was criticized for her elaborate entertaining during the Civil War, and then was criticized for shirking her duty as First Lady when she stopped entertaining. Eleanor Roosevelt was criticized for her plain appearance and for her involvement in political affairs that First Ladies before her traditionally didn't participate in. Hillary Clinton was criticized for her appearance and her active role in the White House. Mrs. Obama found out during the campaign that her every word would be scrutinized when she stated "...for the first time in my adult life I am proud of my country..." at a political rally for her husband. At once the media attacked her for her lack of loyalty to her country even though that was not what she meant to imply.

Now, as First Lady, Mrs. Obama will be scrutinized for everything she says, does and wears. But after spending two years on the campaign trail for her husband, she feels she is ready to take on whatever comes her way. She is ready to settle down into the White House and begin having as normal a family life as she can with her husband and two daughters, Malia and Sasha. She does not plan on having the office of the First Lady in the West Wing as Hillary Clinton did and has a list of issues of her own that she wishes to pursue. The issues closest to her heart are working to make life better for military families, helping working woman who are trying to balance family and career and promoting volunteerism. And although she has the education and experience to be president herself, she does not plan on becoming a partner to her husband in the West Wing.

Becoming First Lady could be a daunting task for some but Mrs. Obama seems ready, willing and able to take on all of the duties the position holds. Throughout her husband's presidency she has the chance to touch lives and work to make important changes for many people, and to make her mark as one of America's great First Ladies.