On Her Birthday, Looking Back on Michelle Obama’s Last Speech

“Don’t let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter,” she said.

On Friday, Michelle Obama bid an emotional farewell to the White House at a ceremony honouring the 2017 School Counselor of the Year. (Photo: AP)

(This article has been republished from The Quint’s archives on the occasion of Michelle Obama’s 54th birthday. It was first published on 11 January 2017.)

For Michelle Obama, “the greatest honour” of her life was to serve as the first lady of the United States.

On Friday, she bid an emotional farewell to the White House at a ceremony honouring the 2017 School Counselor of the Year. The Obamas leave in two weeks.

It was her final event as first lady, and she was overcome with emotion at times, with tears in her eyes and her voice breaking.

She told young people to get a good education and work hard. With those things, she added, everything is possible, “even becoming the President.”

To the young people out there, know that this country belongs to all of you

“Never Fear”

Speaking of religious faiths, she said that “religious diversity is a great American tradition.”

Whether you are a Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Jew or Sikh... these religions teach the young people about justice, compassion and honest.

And she invoked her husband’s campaign message, urging young people to “lead by example, with hope, never fear.”

“Don't let anyone make you feel like you don't matter.”

She encouraged the youth to be “informed” and “engaged” as citizens. “You can be a positive force in your communities. Michelle Obama asked them to believe in the “power of hope.”

And the belief that something better is always possible if you’re willing to work and fight for it.

(With inputs from AP)