We know Michelle Obama’s the fly, intelligent, confident “sista” who shook up the White House with her unique style. However, who knows the improbable journey the great-great granddaughter of a slave made from whitewashed shack to the slave-built White House? Fatima Dupres-Griffiths charts the life of First Lady Michelle Obama from humble beginnings to gaining two degrees, in sociology and law, and becoming President Barack Obama’s wife.

“There is no difference between the public Michelle and the private Michelle,” says a friend. As Michelle’s brother, Craig Robinson, put it, “Nothing is fake.”

The first thing she told the White House housekeeping staff was, “My daughters are doing chores.” Craig still calls her for advice. Michelle hugs people, including the Queen of England. Difficult kids melt when talking to her.

She has a temper. From school Michelle finished assignments early. She’s more careful than Barack. Before he tried to convince voters that “Yes We Can,” he had to convince Michelle. She’s full of confidence and will take on any task, but she believes she’s ordinary: a working mum who listened when her parents taught her to work hard. When she tells students they can be where she is, she means it. Yet what she and Barack have achieved is unique, and their mutual love and respect for each other is a rich example globally. Michelle shops online to save time like many busy mums, but she’s the first White House resident to descend from slaves. Her family story goes back to the deadly rice plantations of South Carolina. It follows the path of America’s Civil War and freedom, Jim Crow segregation laws, The Great Migration of African Americans to northern cities, the 1960’s civil rights movement, and the women’s movement. Michelle’s story shows the virtue of keeping a dream alive. She learned patience and optimism from both parents, especially her sick Dad. “My dad was our rock,” Michelle said in her speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. “He was our champion, our hero.”

Michelle’s father, Fraser Robinson smiled often despite suffering from multiple sclerosis, and being unable to walk long distances unaided. Fraser never missed a day’s work and as precinct captain for the Democratic Party in Chicago helped neighbours register to vote. Important community spirit lessons and endurance in the face of adversity were passed onto Michelle from early. The lesson from her father that Michelle often refers to is, “He didn’t complain-ever. He put his energy into us.” Michelle also learned from the uncertainty of her dad’s illness, control, structure and great organisation. She reminisced about those trips with her father during Election Day 2008. Like him, Michelle distrusted politicians, making her unsure of Barack’s desire to run for office, and a reluctant First Lady. Yet, once her questions were answered, she gave full support.

From elementary school Michelle’s parents challenged her determined to keep her ahead of teachers’ expectations. Mother Marian brought home workbooks for Michelle and brother, Craig, pushing them academically as if coaching a sport, and like a good coach, Marian pushed Michelle into new and challenging experiences. Michelle was in the school’s program for advanced students for three years until graduation. Earlier than her class mates, Michelle took independent steps toward her education, seeking it rather than expecting it to come to her. The confidence gained led her in unexpected directions. Michelle graduated from Bryn Mawr second in her class of over one hundred students.

What was Michelle thinking as she shared an emotional dance with husband Barack Obama, 44th President of the USA and first African-American to be elected? Dancing to the tune played at their wedding 17 years ago, Etta James’ At Last, what were her thoughts apart from those of love for her handsome, powerful husband. Could she have been envisioning the changes in her life necessary to be the rock to her husband, yet be a caring, hugging mother to their two children Malia, 10, and Sasha aged 7. What prepared the Chicago native to hobnob with other First Ladies, address students and meet political dignitaries from across the globe? Michelle Robinson was born in Chicago in 1964. After high school, she graduated from Princeton in 1985 with a B.A. in sociology. She graduated from Harvard Law School in 1988, and began her law career at Sidley & Austin, a Chicago firm where she met her husband Barack Obama. Michelle served as associate dean of students at the University of Chicago starting in 1996. In 2002, she took the position of executive director for community affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals. She was named Vice President for Community and External Affairs in 2005.

First Lady Michelle tries to retain a sense of normality and security in the first family’s daily lives even as their lives change forever. She believes her priority is being a mother to Malia and Sasha. Many have credited Barack’s impressive, straight-talking, charming wife, Michelle with clinching his election, as he went from Democrat outsider to favourite for the White House. Michelle says she owes much to her upbringing in a one-bedroom flat in Chicago: ‘I want to bring that spirit of warmth, openness and stability to my task’ she says. As Barack states in Audacity of Hope, Michelle did not anticipate her role as First Lady, but in fact always disliked politics. Luckily she has a knack of fitting in with her surroundings, whether they are Hollywood stars, her favourite singer, Stevie Wonder, statesmen or students. As a friend said: “She maintains a normal life in an extraordinary time.” Michelle credits that ability to having grown up in a small flat in South Side Chicago with her city water department worker father and housewife mother. However, she maintains her main task is “Mom-in-chief”. Michelle respects her mother, Marion Robinson and credits her success and present status to her input and discipline. Her trusted mother has now moved into the White House to help with childcare. During Michelle’s childhood, the Robinsons lived in a brick bungalow on Chicago’s South Side. Fraser was a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department, and despite suffering with multiple sclerosis at a young age, he hardly ever missed work. Marian stayed home to raise Michelle and Craig, managing a busy household filled with love, laughter, and important life lessons. A product of Chicago public schools, Michelle studied sociology and African-American studies at Princeton University. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988, she joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she later met the man who would become the love of her life.

After a few years, Michelle decided her true calling was encouraging people to serve their communities and neighbours. She served as assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago's City Hall before becoming the founding executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program that prepares youth for public service. In 1996, Michelle joined the University of Chicago with a vision of bringing campus and community together. As associate dean of student services, she developed the university's first community service program, and as vice president of community and external affairs for the University of Chicago Medical Centre, volunteerism skyrocketed. As First Lady, Michelle Obama hopes to continue working on issues close to her heart; supporting military families, helping working women balance career and family, and encouraging national service.

Michelle and Barack Obama’s two gorgeous girls, Malia and Sasha, were born on the South Side of Chicago like their mother.

Michelle as style icon: Michelle’s unique style is a welcome departure from boring power suits and the plain or conservative attire of other First Ladies. Without a trailer load of stylists, she is a breath of fresh air. Having to attend 10 inauguration balls, it is just as well that Michelle’s flava can give fashionistas a run for their money. Unafraid to experiment or step onto the high street, the Narciso Rodriguez dress Michelle wore on election night was far from mainstream. Favouring the unexpected, Michelle likes Zero+Maria Cornejo’s softly tailoured, elegant suits that can easily transform from day to evening- wear. Michelle also has a weakness for Thakoon’s prints and bold colours teamed with power pearls. Isabel Toledo, designer of her daytime inauguration suit, was until recently creative director at Anne Klein, a staple of the working American woman’s wardrobe, referred to by The NY Times as ‘ the designers’ designer’, with Karl Lagerfeld among her fans. For the evening ball, the First Lady surprised everyone by choosing young Jason Wu, whose label is merely 3 years old. Michelle loves his ladylike silhouettes. She also wore a perfectly fitted green Japanese-print full-skirted dress by little-known American designer, Tracy Feith. Michelle makes bold, uncompromising fashion choices, proving to date that she has great fashion instincts, so we say of her distinctive style…you go, girl! First Lady…you go! You’ve made the incredible, inspiring journey from whitewashed shack to White House via your ancestors’ improbable journey through slavery, segregation, the civil rights movement to the historical presidential election. Your great-great-grandfather lived in a wooden cabin, harvesting Carolina Gold, rice on the sprawling slave rice plantation, Friendfield, and through discipline, good education, community spirit and sheer hard work and determination, you, Michelle Robinson, became the soul mate and wife of the 44th President of America. We salute you. May your love for God, your family and community move you to achieve your divine purpose.

Fatima Dupres-Griffiths