Barack Obama may have won the election to be the 44th president of the United States. But it's his wife, Michelle, who is capturing my attention.
Some people may have winced a little when Michelle Obama announced that her role in the White House would mostly be as mom-in-chief. But the news highlighted to me that this intelligent, Ivy League-educated woman is not afraid to identify that, to her, the most important job right now is to be a mom.
Michelle told Ebony Magazine that her role as a mother would be "making sure that in this transition, which will be even more of a transition for the girls ... that they are settled and that they know they will continue to be the center of our universe."
Most college students can identify with the working mom since many of us had one. These are women who, with seemingly superhuman powers, manage to climb the corporate ladder while still having dinner on the table at 6. There is no simple way to summarize a working mom's job description.
Michelle Obama is no different. She has an impressive resume, a Harvard education and years as a lawyer and hospital executive. But she is also a mother and, throughout the campaign, usually described herself as a mom first and a businesswoman second.
I believe she is the right representation of a working mom because her life appears to be balanced. She has chosen, at this stage in her life, to focus on her children.
Michelle has talked before about the importance of protecting the Obamas' two daughters, Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10. The country has gotten a taste of that protective bubble during the transition stage before the inauguration in January. The entire family retreated into isolation as Barack worked on his cabinet and Michelle visited private schools in Washington D.C.
The girls were seen only a few times, usually being dropped off by their father at their Chicago school.
The Obamas said Sasha and Malia's responsibilities at home will not change when the two girls become the official first daughters. Promised a puppy during dad's acceptance speech on Election Day, the girls will be expected to "scoop the poop," Barack told Barbara Walters in an interview.
Mom and dad have also promised that the girls will still do chores like making their beds at the White House.
All of the news has been normal and domestic. The Obamas seem like any family that is moving from one house to another. Just because the address changes doesn't mean the kids don't do any more chores.
Michelle seems to be prioritizing the normalcy factor. She has the potential to break down many negative stereotypes that surround women, especially those that are black. As a smart, well-adjusted wife and mother, she seems content to make sure her children are taken care of first. Having a mother who is an active participant will be particularly important given that dad will be extremely busy running the country.
Barack certainly made history by becoming the first black president of our country. But his wife could do just as much, if not more, to create a positive role model for other working mothers.
Jessica Turnbull is a senior majoring in journalism and is the Daily Collegian's Friday columnist. Her email is jlt5044@psu.edu.
