Girls
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 10:13 AM 
The First Lady was in Omaha, Nebraska yesterday for an event at Girls Inc., an organization that inspires girls to be "strong, smart and bold." On the style front, Mrs. O wore a Resort 2010 Balenciaga sheath dress, a first lady favorite that has been seen before here and here.
One of the young women in attendance had the opportunity to ask Mrs. Obama if she embodied the Girls Inc. values:
Q: My name is Aviera Pittman, I am 12 years old. Do you believe you are strong, smart and bold, and why?
MRS. OBAMA: Oh. (Laughter.) Yes, absolutely, right? I’m strong, smart and bold. (Applause.) You know, I shared that story -- I think I believed in it because others believed in it. I had a mom and dad who had high expectations that were accompanied with a lot of unconditional love and support.
And when you’ve got people in your ear telling you that you’re wonderful, you start believing it. And that’s why what you have here at Girls Inc. is so important. Believe what people are saying about you. Believe that. Take in that good energy. Own it. Hug it. Accept it. All the good things you hear, the positive messages -- take those. Put the negative things aside, because that’s always going to be there. There’s always going to be -- what do we call it, girls? There’s always going to be haters out there? (Laughter.) Don’t focus on that.
Focus on the people in your life who give you positive reinforcement. And it doesn’t have to be a parent. It can be anybody. I was lucky enough to have parents, but I also had some great teachers and mentors and people in my life that I would pull them in if I got some good energy, I’d just keep pulling on it. So gravitate to the positive. Stay away from the haters, okay?
Balenciaga
Reader Comments (19)
Absolutely love this message!!!! Every night I tell my daughter that she is smart, strong and beautiful and was was validated with a recent school paper where she defined herself as strong, fierce and stands out.
No matter your politics the First Lady's message and "walking the talk" are a positive message for all girls and women!
Lovely. And a lovely message, too:)
What Denise B said!
I <3 our First Lady :0)
Truly inspirational story. BLESS your heart Michele, you are a blessed lady, woman,mother and child of God.
Lovely message, but hafta say, LOVE the First Lady's sleek and shiny hairdo!
Beautifully inspiring Mrs. O, and work that Balenciaga!
Lovely dress. Hard to see details but her hair looks different. Would love to see an up close.
"There’s always going to be haters out there? " Yes there will be plenty, Mrs. O!!
Have I told you guys lately how much I LOVE this lady? Well, I LOVE her so much! That was a great message to give to those young girls!
Oh Nyon, can you love her as much as I do?
Ladywatcher, I'm sure of it!! LOL!! :-)
but for real, I am sure....
Keep strong and go up. I support all projects you can imagine. Lovely and sincerly.
Hey Nyon and ladywatcher....keep that love going for the First Lady! From what I can see from the the photo, her hair is bold and beautiful!
I try to tell my nieces what Mrs. Obama told these girls. I think it's good for my nieces to hear from their uncle.
In a sense although they are completely different, Mrs Obama and The Duchess of Cambridge are very similar, to me anyway. Mrs Obama is smart, beautiful,intelligent and fell in love with a future President. The Duchess is pretty and well educated. She comes from a good home, where her parents worked hard to provide the best start in life for their children. The duchess fell in love and married a future King. Although there are many who wish her well, there are many over here in England who despise, hate, try to drag her down, disrespect the fact that she waited 10 years for William to marry her and even question her parent's wealth. Why ?? Life is a buffet, you gotta help yourself. I can never understand those people who for whatever reason choose not to reach for their goals but instead drag another down at every concievable moment. But when all is said and done, their hate makes the other people stronger. I have seen Mrs Obama go from strength to strength in a role that came with no job spec. I would give my right arm to be a little girl again at this time in life when I could look up to a first lady like Mrs Obama and admire her strength and dedication, maybe I wouldn't have struggled with haters when I left university years ago with a first class degree and worked alongside those with basic education who made my life a misery. I wish the Obama's every luck and love as they approach November and await their fate in that gladitorial fight known as public opinion.
@ Jestina
Thank you for that inspiring testimony. Let us all take the inspiration we get from following Mrs. Obama's fashion and activities and share it with some young person who needs that inspiration.
@ Mrs. T
I continue to find that your blog provides far better coverage of Mrs. Obama's activities than the coverage provided by the mainstream press. You are not only providing joy and pleasure but you are also providing a priceless public service. Thank you!
FLOTUS looks fabulous here: http://theobamadiary.com/2012/04/26/take-our-daughters-and-sons-to-work-day/#comments
Mrs. O looked so pretty today!! You can see pics and video of her with the kids doing what she does best and that's be herself. I LOVE when she's with kids.
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/04/26/take-our-daughters-and-sons-to-work-day/
There is something in this message for all girls......the young as well as the young at heart! All of us can use words of encouragement that will propel us to be our indivual best.
And FLOTUS looks good to boot, that's a given!
Lovelest personality she is. And a lovely message, too all of us:)