15 years ago today, I asked you to believe in the change we could create together—and you did. I’m so proud of our Obama alumni, many of whom we saw this week, for carrying that mission forward.
You learn very quickly that there is no handbook or rules to being First Lady. Technically, it’s not even an official position. And while there are spoken and unspoken expectations that provide some structure, the role is largely shaped by the passions and aspirations of the person holding it.
First Lady Rosalynn Carter understood that well.
Guided by her abiding faith and her commitment to service, Mrs. Carter used her platform in profoundly meaningful ways. Her groundbreaking work to combat the stigma faced by those struggling with their mental health brought light to so many suffering in silence. She advocated for better care for the elderly. She advanced women’s rights. And she remained a champion for those causes — and many others like building affordable housing for those in need and caring for our nation’s caregivers — in the more than four decades that followed.
When our family was in the White House, every so often, Rosalynn would join me for lunch, offering a few words of advice and always — always — a helping hand. She reminded me to make the role of First Lady my own, just like she did. I’ll always remain grateful for her support and her generosity.
Today, Barack and I join the world in celebrating the remarkable legacy of a First Lady, philanthropist, and advocate who dedicated her life to lifting up others. Her life is a reminder that no matter who we are, our legacies are best measured not in awards or accolades, but in the lives we touch. We send our thoughts and prayers to Jimmy and the entire Carter family during this difficult time.
You learn very quickly that there is no handbook or rules to being First Lady. Technically, it’s not even an official position. And while there are spoken and unspoken expectations that provide some structure, the role is largely shaped by the passions and aspirations of the person holding it.
First Lady Rosalynn Carter understood that well.
Guided by her abiding faith and her commitment to service, Mrs. Carter used her platform in profoundly meaningful ways. Her groundbreaking work to combat the stigma faced by those struggling with their mental health brought light to so many suffering in silence. She advocated for better care for the elderly. She advanced women’s rights. And she remained a champion for those causes — and many others like building affordable housing for those in need and caring for our nation’s caregivers — in the more than four decades that followed.
When our family was in the White House, every so often, Rosalynn would join me for lunch, offering a few words of advice and always — always — a helping hand. She reminded me to make the role of First Lady my own, just like she did. I’ll always remain grateful for her support and her generosity.
Today, Barack and I join the world in celebrating the remarkable legacy of a First Lady, philanthropist, and advocate who dedicated her life to lifting up others. Her life is a reminder that no matter who we are, our legacies are best measured not in awards or accolades, but in the lives we touch. We send our thoughts and prayers to Jimmy and the entire Carter family during this difficult time.
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! I hope you all take a moment to give thanks for all of life’s blessings — including the brave men and women who are serving our country away from home. From the Obama family to yours, have a wonderful day.
When a young Sandra Day graduated from Stanford Law School near the top of her class — in two years instead of the usual three — she was offered just one job in the private sector. Her prospective employer asked her how well she typed and told her there might be work for her as a legal secretary.
Fortunately for us, she set her sights a little higher — becoming the first woman to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice. As a judge and Arizona legislator, a cancer survivor and child of the Texas plains, Sandra Day O’Connor was like the pilgrim in the poem she sometimes quoted — forging a new path and building a bridge behind her for all young women to follow. Michelle and I send our thoughts to Sandra’s family and everyone who learned from and admired her.
I recently went on the Decoder Podcast to talk about how the Biden-Harris Administration is working to take advantage of the opportunities and minimize the risks of artificial intelligence—and the ways the next generation of AI professionals can help shape the future. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and go to ai.gov to learn more.
On Veterans Day, we honor all the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform. You deserve our thanks and support.
On Veterans Day, we honor all the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform. You deserve our thanks and support.
On Veterans Day, we honor all the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform. You deserve our thanks and support.
On Veterans Day, we honor all the brave men and women who have served our country in uniform. You deserve our thanks and support.
15 years ago, hope came alive in Grant Park in Chicago.
Today, we’re bringing that change home through our work at the @ObamaFoundation and the #ObamaAlumni community.
American Symphony, a film from @HigherGroundMedia, is directed by the talented @MHeineman and follows the journey of @JonBatiste and @SuleikaJaouad. It’s an intimate portrait of the healing power of art and love through personal success and private struggles. I hope you’ll check it out on Netflix on November 29th.
At the @ObamaFoundation, we believe the best way to make the world better is by supporting the next generation of leaders working on everything from strengthening democracy, to addressing gender-based violence, to fighting climate change.
On Giving Tuesday, please help support their work at the link in my bio.
At the @ObamaFoundation, we believe the best way to make the world better is by supporting the next generation of leaders working on everything from strengthening democracy, to addressing gender-based violence, to fighting climate change.
On Giving Tuesday, please help support their work at the link in my bio.
At the @ObamaFoundation, we believe the best way to make the world better is by supporting the next generation of leaders working on everything from strengthening democracy, to addressing gender-based violence, to fighting climate change.
On Giving Tuesday, please help support their work at the link in my bio.
At the @ObamaFoundation, we believe the best way to make the world better is by supporting the next generation of leaders working on everything from strengthening democracy, to addressing gender-based violence, to fighting climate change.
On Giving Tuesday, please help support their work at the link in my bio.
Yesterday, voters across the country turned out for the values we’re fighting for — because they know state and local elections matter.
Once again, voters made it clear that they believe women should have the right to make decisions about their own bodies. In Ohio, voters chose to enshrine abortion rights into their state constitution. And in Kentucky, Andy Beshear won a second term as governor after standing up for abortion rights.
Courts play a vital role in protecting everything from reproductive freedom to the right to free and fair elections. In Pennsylvania, voters made their voices heard by electing Judge McCaffery.
In Virginia — where every single seat in the General Assembly was on the ballot — voters gave Democrats the majority in both the Senate and House of Delegates, preventing Republicans from passing a radical conservative agenda.
I’m also proud of all the Obama-Biden alumni running for office. Last night, Gabe Amo became Rhode Island’s first Black representative, and Phil Hernandez joined Virginia’s House of Delegates.
As we head into 2024, let’s keep organizing, keep voting, and keep making our voices heard.
In Chicago, I got to spend time with grassroots leaders from our @GirlsOpportunityAlliance Network who are learning from each other and finding new ways to create even more opportunities for girls in this city that we love.
I also had the chance to hear more about the work that folks in our @MBK_Alliance Network are doing to transform the lives of young men and the communities they live in.
Michelle and I are proud of the work these groups are doing, and the difference they’ll make for generations to come. Chicago, Illinois
In Chicago, I got to spend time with grassroots leaders from our @GirlsOpportunityAlliance Network who are learning from each other and finding new ways to create even more opportunities for girls in this city that we love.
I also had the chance to hear more about the work that folks in our @MBK_Alliance Network are doing to transform the lives of young men and the communities they live in.
Michelle and I are proud of the work these groups are doing, and the difference they’ll make for generations to come. Chicago, Illinois
In Chicago, I got to spend time with grassroots leaders from our @GirlsOpportunityAlliance Network who are learning from each other and finding new ways to create even more opportunities for girls in this city that we love.
I also had the chance to hear more about the work that folks in our @MBK_Alliance Network are doing to transform the lives of young men and the communities they live in.
Michelle and I are proud of the work these groups are doing, and the difference they’ll make for generations to come. Chicago, Illinois
In Chicago, I got to spend time with grassroots leaders from our @GirlsOpportunityAlliance Network who are learning from each other and finding new ways to create even more opportunities for girls in this city that we love.
I also had the chance to hear more about the work that folks in our @MBK_Alliance Network are doing to transform the lives of young men and the communities they live in.
Michelle and I are proud of the work these groups are doing, and the difference they’ll make for generations to come. Chicago, Illinois
Our latest film from @HigherGroundMedia celebrates the life and legacy of Bayard Rustin, a giant of the civil rights movement and the architect of the 1963 March on Washington. Rustin shares his story, and the stories of all the other activists who came together to change our country for the better. Check it out today on Netflix.
Michelle and I are incredibly proud of the team that made Rustin, including the talented @KingofBingo, who plays Bayard Rustin. Listen as Colman Domingo puts Bayard’s story in context and talks about how he helped change the world — and make sure to check out Rustin from @HigherGroundMedia with your family and friends this week on Netflix.
At our @ObamaFoundation Democracy Forum, we brought together hundreds of leaders from around the world to talk about how we can create a more inclusive and sustainable economy that works for everyone. Take a look:
