A Great Woman at Your Side

I am reading at present a biography by Andersen entitled Barack & Michelle. I am gripped to learn of the central role michelle played in her husband's ascent. Firstly, she was the main bread winner for many years, while Barack made almost nothing establishing his career. Secondly, she changed jobs frequently, and often strategically, in order to make highly valuable political contacts for him in Chicago (where they lived). Thirdly, she constantly networked on his behalf, introduced him to the right people (including Jesse Jackson), and was such an excellent host at their political dinner parties that guests just wanted to come back. She secured his campaigns more money than anyone else, she forewarned him that he would fail before he failed, and knew where and when he would succeed before he succeeded. And all the while she predominantly raised their two kids and kept the household afloat.  Oh, and to cap it off, she came up with the phrase 'yes we can'. Well, yes, she certainly can!

After reading this book my admiration for barack, while remaining undiminished, has been joined by a deepened admiration for her, not because she served her husband, but because she served through him a far greater cause, and for a while, was willing to take the risk of almost losing herself in the process.