Chasing Light by Amanda Lucidon

Author:Amanda Lucidon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Potter/TenSpeed/Harmony
Published: 2017-10-17T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 3

REACH HIGHER

The First Lady of the Unites States doesn’t earn a salary. She has a small staff and no budget for her initiatives. But that didn’t limit Mrs. Obama’s goals—she used her platform to shine light on the issues that were most important to her. She harnessed the strength of her relationships to build partnerships in support of her initiatives. And she used her voice to inspire and empower people throughout the country and the world.

Mrs. Obama and her staff knew the significance of reaching people through various outlets. She embraced the power of social media and celebrity support. She wasn’t afraid to be silly, to dance, to get dirty in the garden, to exercise, or to participate in funny skits, especially if it would help to communicate an important message. Mrs. Obama was candid and authentic. She was always willing to share her personal stories because she knew it could help others.

She fought to combat childhood obesity with the Let’s Move! campaign and her expansion of the White House Kitchen Garden. Mrs. Obama invited students to help harvest in her garden every spring, summer, and fall to reinforce the importance of healthy eating. To promote childhood nutrition, she hosted a Kids’ State Dinner every year that highlighted the innovative recipes of America’s youngest chefs.

She also challenged young adults to continue their education after high school through her Reach Higher initiative. This included talking with students about the opportunities and resources available to make higher education a reality. Each year she gave commencement speeches at graduations across the country, selecting schools with social, cultural, and historical significance. Mrs. Obama is an accomplished and compelling public speaker, but more important, her remarks resonated with people because she spoke from the heart.

Through her Joining Forces initiative, Mrs. Obama worked with Dr. Jill Biden to support veterans and military families. Together they focused on the important issues of combating veteran homelessness and providing employment opportunities and mental health services, while celebrating the contributions of those who have served our country.

Regardless of the event, she always took the time to greet people. She shared smiles, encouraging words, and plenty of hugs. This was not always ideal for the staff members responsible for scheduling her time. But the First Lady insisted that you never know what people are going through in their lives. Sometimes the extra hug or compliment can mean all the difference—and that’s worth taking the extra time.

Mrs. Obama and her team proved that you can accomplish a lot with a little. You just need the courage to reach higher.

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