Michelle Obama Graces the October Cover of ESSENCE

“My story to young people around this country and around the world is: Don’t look at me as the First Lady first; look at me as Michelle Obama, a girl who grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Because I was there, and this is attainable. There is no magic to this. It is hard work….”

She’s got the power! First Lady Michelle Obama graces the cover of ESSENCE’s October issue with a revealing interview highlighting ESSENCE and the First Lady’s shared commitment to women and girls around the world.

In the article, “The Leading Lady,” she reflects on what she calls the “big, bright light” of her power as First Lady — and she shares her mission to impart a critical message to young women: that where she is now is attainable with hard work. She recounts her emotional trip to Africa, providing exclusive images for ESSENCE readers which document her various stops and what they meant to her personally.

The First Lady is also named one of the world’s most influential Black women on the magazine’s annual ‘2011 Power List,’ which features other top-ranking African-American women such as Oprah Winfrey, Valerie Jarrett, Iyanla Vanzant, Jada Pinkett Smith, Shonda Rhimes and more. Plus, award-winning author and playwright Pearl Cleage pays a special tribute to the most recognized woman of the free world.

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