What major contributions did Michelle Obama make?

Answer 1

First Lady Michele Obama's Initiatives and Contributions

In January, 2010, Michelle Obama announced her initiative to reduce childhood obesity through the "Lets Move! Program. Childhood obesity and the health problems that obesity causes is one of Mrs. Obama's signature initiatives. The Let's Move philosophy is firmly in line with Physicians who have for a long time encouraged physical activity to reduce weight. Even simple walking can help shed pounds.

As part of this interest, Mrs. Obama recognizes that fruits and vegetables in the daily diets of children and adults is often lacking when a child becomes obese, especially in low income families because fresh fruits and vegetables are more costly than "white carbohydrate" mainstays like pasta, potatoes, and rice. She was the first First Lady in many years to re-plant a vegetable garden on the White House property. School children are brought to the garden to learn about vegetables, how they are planted, how they grow, how they are harvested, etc. Sadly, some inner city children do not know the names of common vegetables, have not seen any (unless they are in cans), and many kids had never tasted vegetables like squash etc.

Possibly as a result of her interactions with school children at the garden, Mrs. Obama, along with Surgeon General Regina Benjamin and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, announced that the diagram "My Plate" will replace the traditional "Food pyramid" that has been in use for decades. Most dietitians and professionals in medicine and nursing have long thought that the traditional triangular shaped with multi- "levels" Food Pyramid is simply confusing to most people. The "My Plate" change seeks to simplify the daily requirements from the different food groups. Additionally, because the My Plate image is divided into 4 unequal areas, it is much easier to see just how much of your dinner plate should contain which food groups. The largest 'area' on the plate is vegetables-- which we've all needed in the daily allowance of food consumed but which most of us do not eat each day.

While this initiative may not seem very important, that may only be because the problem is SO huge. Other first ladies have tackled complex problems, and often did not get the recognition they deserved for trying to solve large problems. For example, the 'second' Mrs. Bush-- Laura Bush-- took on the initiative of reading and literacy. She hoped to help the problem of illiteracy. While illiteracy remains a significant problem in the US, especially among immigrants and school drop-outs, Mrs. Bush made a considerable effort to bring literacy and the long reaching effects of illiteracy into the spotlight. Mrs. Obama's successes with Let's Move and My Plate, in a similar comparison to other initiatives made by First Ladies, may not be seen in the general community for many years or even decades. But, if her initiatives encourage even 10% of Americans and America's children to eat better, exercise more, and to lose weight, she will have made a significant impact on today's children. And when children learn these principles early, they have a greater likelihood to pass these lessons on to their own children.

Other Contributions.

Mrs. Obama is also interested in military families and the issues they face. From selections of Internet articles, it seems military families also like and respect Mrs. Obama.

Michele Obama has been favorably compared to Jackie Kennedy Onassis, the former First Lady of past President John F. Kennedy, in the area of women's fashions. Their sense of style and fashion has led trends for many women in the US and elsewhere.

As all First Ladies do for their President-husbands, Mrs. Obama supports many of Barack Obama's plans and ideas. She has spoken on platforms about the topics her husband has endorsed.

As well, Mrs. Obama (along with her mother, who resides with the family) has been touted for her family values and belief in the benefits of having extended family actively involved in children's lives. This quality appeals to many parents who try to keep a family-community around their own children.

Most of the "contributions" that First Ladies make while in the White House may seem minor to their husbands' work. After all, what can compare to being the head of the military, a world leader, etc. But, the work First Ladies do for the community and our country IS important. It's just that the outcomes may take longer to realize.

Answer 2

Most of Michelle Obama's major contributions are in the field of cutting down obesity, which is her main focus.

Answer 3

She made a record for the most people doing jumping jacks simultaneously and made some school lunches healthier