Former First Lady Michelle Obama got real about people’s personal attacks of her earlier this week at her biggest public appearance since the 2016 election season, The Washington Post reports. While speaking to over 8,000 people at the Women’s Foundation of Colorado’s (WFCO) 30th anniversary celebration, Obama revealed what kind of harsh comments affected her the most during her husband’s time in the White House.
“The shards that cut me the deepest were the ones that intended to cut,” she said. “Knowing that after eight years of working really hard for this country, there are still people who won’t see me for what I am because of my skin color.”
In addition to facing negativity about her race throughout Barack Obama’s term, Obama was also once insulted for exercising, and Fox News referred to her as her husband’s “baby mama.” “We are living with small tiny cuts,” she explained about her ability to stay strong, “and we are bleeding every single day. And we’re still getting up.”
After sharing her own experiences with unfair criticism, Obama also discussed what everyone should do to be a positive influence in young girls’ lives. “Tell her every day she is smart and capable and lift her up,” she said. “For so many people, the role models they follow are right in their backyard. It’s their mothers, teachers, siblings, and their fathers and the men around them who every day can lift them up. Don’t underestimate the power of day-to-day motivation and inspiration in a girl’s life.”
WFCO states that its goal is to create a “future where Colorado women and girls of every background and identity prosper.” Focusing on advancing economic opportunities for women in the state, the organization asked Obama to speak because of her dedication to “creating access to education for girls.”
Obama also stressed the importance of having others’ support in order to succeed in life. “I am a strong woman because of other strong women,” she explained. “You don’t mother alone, you don’t grandparent alone, you don’t struggle alone. You find your community.”
Props to Michelle Obama for always being the classiest women in the room. Even without her in the White House, she’s still a totally inspirational force of nature.