Michelle Obama’s Impact on African American Women and Girls “An engaging, multi-dimensional commentary on embracing power with poise and grace. Michelle Obama simply lives the American brand with a secure humil- ity that should be replicated in all of our leaders. This collection of essays serves as an Obama encore. I want more!” —Robert J. Benz, Co-Founder, Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives “A timely and insightful work, Michelle Obama’s Impact on African American Women and Girls is an impactful piece. It is one that should be read for ALL generations to come. Kudos to the authors who heeded the call and contributed to this thought-provoking book.” —Sharron Goodman-Hill, Instructor of Mass Communications, Rust College and Host, WURC’s Straight Talk Live “This timely collection reminds us all how the character of our national lead- ers profoundly shapes our everyday lives and aspirations. In engaging and heart- felt contributions, these authors show how Michelle Obama not only infuenced national policy initiatives, but how her character sets a legacy of integrity, energy and intelligence that continues to inspire and guide millions of Americans.” —Marilyn Krogh, Associate Professor of Sociology, Loyola University Chicago “This lively, personal, and insightful anthology makes abundantly clear the far-reaching and multi-faceted impact of Michelle Obama. In the work of these authors, the First Lady’s legacy will nourish and challenge future generations of Americans to come. I welcome and celebrate this book!” —Patricia A. Schechter, Professor of History, Portland State University “It is necessary and inspiring to read these insightful and powerful refections on the legacy of Michelle Obama. America’s only African American First Lady made an extraordinary impression around the world during her eight years in the White House. From her stylish emergence in 2008 to her powerful oratory at the Democratic National Convention in 2016, she has energized people around the globe. This marvelous collection of essays and refections is a beautiful and critically important documentation of Michelle Obama’s impact and a thoughtful exploration of the issues her leadership has shaped.” —Bryan Stevenson, Director, Equal Justice Initiative and Professor of Law, New York University and best-selling author of Just Mercy “This collection of the myriad voices of Black women from all felds pays tribute to the inspiring, eloquent, and elegant former First Lady, Michelle Obama. The contents of this compelling and provocative book, more than a mere compilation of essays and poems, are rather deeply felt personal, heartfelt refections on Mrs. Obama’s legacy. No need to read in chronological order, from beginning to end; treat it like a literary smorgasbord; a tasting menu; but do read it all! Completely satisfying, engaging and all together spiritually nourishing. A true keepsake.” —Tazewell Thompson, Award-winning Playwright, Theatre and Opera Director Michelle Duster · Paula Marie Seniors Rose C. Thevenin Editors Michelle Obama’s Impact on African American Women and Girls Editors Michelle Duster Rose C. Thevenin Columbia College Chicago Department of Social Sciences Chicago, IL, USA Florida Memorial University Miami Gardens, FL, USA Paula Marie Seniors Africana Studies Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA, USA ISBN 978-3-319-92467-0 ISBN 978-3-319-92468-7 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92468-7 Library of Congress Control Number: 2018942885 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2018 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifcally the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microflms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specifc statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affliations. Cover credit: Courtesy of The Obama Presidential Library/The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration Cover design by Fatima Jamadar Printed on acid-free paper This Palgrave Macmillan imprint is published by the registered company Springer International Publishing AG part of Springer Nature The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland Womanity, Cheryl Green The juxtaposition of stability and the diversity in texture, color and movement are synonymous with the personality of our country’s First Lady, Michelle Obama. She embodies the example of what an all- American woman should be. Her combination of warmth, candor, intelli- gence, stability and colorful personality brings out the humanity in those she comes in contact with, a distinction that has made her the subject of admiration, curiosity and even controversy. She embodies the quali- ties of the kind of daughter, mother, wife, business partner and/or friend that you would want or hope to have in your life. Her confdence is what allows her to be so natural and poised, and her American experience is so relatable that she inspired a sense of energy within myself to follow my passion, count my blessings, be true to myself and stay grounded. To my parents Donald and Maxine Duster, who always believed in my brothers and me. Thank you for being creative about stretching modest resources to provide amazing opportunities and experiences. —Michelle Duster I dedicate this book to my daughter Shakeila and to my present students at Virginia Tech, and former students from Florida Memorial College and The College of New Jersey. May you soar like Michelle Obama! —Paula Marie Seniors In loving memory of three phenomenal women. Marie Jacqueline Thevenin, Francine Barthelemy and Annanie Charlo whose nurturing, love and support will always remain unmatched. —Rose C. Thevenin ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We wholeheartedly thank Shaun Vigil, the flm cultural and media stud- ies editor at Palgrave Macmillan for having complete confdence in Michelle Obama’s Impact on African American Women and Girls from the moment we contacted him. Thank you, Shaun for your grace, your unstinting kindness, support and patience with us. Thank you also Glenn Ramirez the cultural, media and communications assistant editor for your hard work in getting our book published. —Michelle Duster, Paula Marie Seniors and Rose C. Thevenin Thank you to my fellow editors Paula Marie Seniors and Rose C. Thevenin for your scholarship, friendship and inspiration. Thank you to the women in my life who taught and showed me by example how to navigate the world with grace, intellect, pride and a sense of humor: Norma Bean, Barbara Brown, Erma Bruce, Eloise Cornelius, Jacqueline Duster, Murrell Duster, Alfreda Ferrell, Alma Henley, Charlotte Martin, Carole Savage, Marva Watkins, and Alma Wyatt. Never-ending thanks for support and encouragement from my broth- ers David and Daniel Duster and my uncle Troy Duster. And my cous- ins: Denise Bland, Hal Bland, Frank Carroll, Roy Carroll, Troy Carroll, Charles Cross, Horace Cross, Charles Duster, Jr., Jon Duster, Carlla Franklin, Connie Hicks, Cecelia Hunt, Marin Heiskell, Michael Heiskell, Nicole Porter, Charles Smith, Racheal Walker, and Patricia Woods. And all of my wonderful friends: Debra Almgren-Horwitz, Kyra Auslander, Lance Brown, Lemar Brown, Michael Brown, Stephanie Carr, ix x ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Jennie Chen, Todd Cranford, Margaret Eaglin, Crystal Fencke, Robin Florzak, Sophie Folly, Pat Fuller, Gina Gayle, Jeanne Gills, Carole Green, Cheryl Green, Herb Hardwick, Deborah Hayden, Camilla Hudson, Marilyn Jackson, Veronica Jenkins, Jen Cullerton Johnson, Eric Kearney, Adrienne Lotson, Karyn Marsh, Ervin Martin, Rena Henderson Mason, Adrienne McCue, Sonia Myrick, Tracey Newsome, Christy Niezgodski, Jerome Ratliffe, Michael Ratliffe, Marvin Rochelle, Alejandro Rodriguez, Tracey Salmon-Smith, Kenneth Scott, Howard Shavers, Casey Smith, Trina Sotira, Daina Staisiunas, Paul Stoner. Maurice Sykes, Julie Taylor, Bernard Turner, Ernestine Weaver, Chamille Weddington, Ganiyu Williams, and Quentin Wyatt. Thank you for help- ing me make it through this unforgettable six-year journey! —Michelle Duster At the beginning of our collaboration, Michelle Duster worked tire- lessly with Rose and me on Michelle Obama’s Impact on African American Women and Girls while simultaneously advocating to keep her great-grandmother, anti-lynching crusader Ida B. Wells legacy alive. When we began this book, Rose Thevenin and I longed silently and in my case desperately for motherhood. With the books completion, Rose and I are proud single mothers of feisty African American girls who we will raise to aspire to greatness. I thank Michelle and Rose for their