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Former first lady Michelle Obama is one of the most influential and most admired figures in the world. In the wake of International Women’s Day last March 8, Mrs. Obama is set to be inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame this year.
The organization announced Monday that the former first lady is one of the honorees in the US National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2021. The induction ceremony will be taking place in person in October and the NWHF released a statement praising Mrs. Obama’s achievements during her time as the country’s first lady and even after leaving the White House. Other inductees include Katherine Johnson, Octavia Butler, Judy Chicago, Joy Harjo, Rebecca Halstead, Emily Howland, Indra Nooyi, and Mia Hamm.
“Advocate, author, lawyer, and 44th First Lady of the United States -- the first Black person to serve in the role -- Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most influential and iconic women of the 21st century,” said the organization in the statement. “During her eight years as First Lady, Michelle Obama, she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, transforming the White House into the ‘People’s House.’ Since leaving the White House, she has continued to have a profound public impact.”
Previous inductees include Aretha Franklin, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Jane Fonda, and Gloria Allred. Since leaving the White House, the former first lady advocated for girls’ education as well as voter participation. Mrs. Obama also released her bestselling memoir “Becoming” in 2018, which now has an audiobook version and a version for young adults. A documentary of the same name was also done. Last year, the former first lady also launched The Michelle Obama Podcast as part of the Obamas’ deal with Spotify.
Recently, Mrs. Obama opened up about depression in an interview with People Magazine. The former first lady shared her experience coping with low-grade depression during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as well as the challenges faced during this time. Mrs. Obama also encouraged more people to talk more openly about mental health, one of the crises the country has faced since going into lockdown last year.
“Depression is understandable in these circumstances, during these times,” said Mrs. Obama. “To think that somehow we can just continue to rise above all the shock and the trauma and the upheaval that we have been experiencing without feeling it in that way is just unrealistic.”
