“We’re at a crossroads of where we have to think about who we are as a nation. I remain hopeful that people want better, if not for themselves, then for the next generation.” - Michelle Obama
“If we can open up a little bit more to each other and share our stories, our real stories, that’s what breaks down barriers. But in order to do that, you have to believe that your story has value. Be vulnerable. Dare to be vulnerable.” - Michelle Obama

“We can’t afford to wait for the world to be equal to start feeling seen. So you’ve got to find the tools, within yourself to feel visible, and to be heard, and to use your voice.” - Michelle Obama
“God gave us this platform for a reason, let’s not waste it.” - Michelle Obama
“When you’re President of the United States, words matter. You can start wars, you can crash economies. There’s too much power to be that careless. And so that’s how we operated because we had to be bigger and we had to go high. The higher you go, the higher up you have to be.” - Michelle Obama
“I want to keep working with young people, the future of our nation is up to the next generation but I know that doesn’t just happen. Young people need some encouragement.” - Michelle Obama

I am coming down from the mountaintop to tell every young person that is poor and working-class and has been told, regardless of the color of your skin, that you don’t belong, don’t listen to them.” - Michelle Obama

“I hope my story urges you to see the power of your story and to own that.” - Michelle Obama
“It’s important to make sure I take every person as they come up. When someone walks up to me, don’t look around, don’t look beyond them, look them in the eye, take in the story.” - Michelle Obama

“As First Lady, I was slowly watching myself being exposed to the world. I had to become more strategic in how I presented myself, because it has the potential of defining me for the rest of my life.” - Michelle Obama
“One day you’re a normal family. An election happens, and your life changes instantly.” - Michelle Obama

“Fashion for a woman, still predominates how people view you, and that’s not fair, that’s not right, but it’s true. That’s when fashion isn’t just fashion, it’s how you turn it into a tool, rather than being a victim of it.” - Michelle Obama

“Now that we’re out of the White House, not to be viewed, judged, and parceled by every other person on the planet, yeah it’s better. It’s absolutely freeing.” - Michelle Obama

“It’s hard to wake up everyday and maintain that level of perfection that was absolutely required of me and Barack as the first black president and first lady.” - Michelle Obama

“Our presence in the White House had been celebrated by millions of Americans, but others reacted with fear.” - Michelle Obama

“This is the America we live in, so if we’re going to get anywhere with each other, we have to be willing to say who we are. I am the former First Lady of the United States and also a descendant of slaves. It’s important to keep that truth right there.” - Michelle Obama

“Barack and I, all through this presidency, through the lies and the stuff they said about us, all we could do was wake up every day and do our jobs, and let our jobs and our lives speak for itself.” - Michelle Obama

“I’m excited for her [Michelle] to be proud of what she’s done, because I think that’s the most important thing for a human to do, to be proud of themselves.” - Malia Obama
“I’ve had the rare experience to see the world in this way, which is why I feel like I’ve got to share with you all that the energy’s that out there is much better than what we see. I wish people didn’t feel badly, because this country is good. People are good. People are decent.” - Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama: Best Quotes from “Becoming” Documentary