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Original poster

Michelle Obama at the all girls language school in London- anyone see it on the news?

50 replies

QuantitativeMeasure · 03/04/2009 11:09

Blimey- what an inspiring woman. She almost moved me to tears.

How wonderful to have th Presidents wife visit your school and show a genuine interest in you.

I thought she was fantatic, a great inspiration to young girls.

(will try and find a link)

OP posts:
purpleduck · 03/04/2009 11:11

I just read the Interview with her in Oprah magazine. I can't help but like her - she seems to be a MUM/MOM first.

Original poster
QuantitativeMeasure · 03/04/2009 11:14

I really like her- he voice was full of emotion when she was talking to those girls yesterday.

OP posts:
FioFio · 03/04/2009 11:21

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FioFio · 03/04/2009 11:24

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rubyslippers · 03/04/2009 11:25

i did cry - she is incredible

Jajas · 03/04/2009 11:29

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francagoestohollywood · 03/04/2009 11:31

Oh she was great !

samsonara · 03/04/2009 11:38

Excellent, they really should show a recording of Michelle's speech to all secondary schools during assembly

frankie3 · 03/04/2009 17:34

I really want my DS to listen to this inspirational speech, but have looked on youtube, everywhere, to try to find whole speech, but can only find short bits of it, not the whole speech.

Does anyone know where I can find it?

tattycoram · 03/04/2009 17:39

She was great wasn't she.

southeastastra · 03/04/2009 17:45

yes was good, jesse jackson came to give a similar speech at our local posho private school

guess he was steered clear of the local comp for the less priveledged.

GinaFjord · 03/04/2009 17:46

I fancy them both

southeastastra · 03/04/2009 17:46

argh spelt that wrong, bad education

frankie3 · 03/04/2009 17:48

Just found some more parts of her speech on the BBC London Radio website.

frogs · 03/04/2009 17:52

EGA was a really good choice of school for her to go to, as it's a v. good school with amazing ofsted etc but with a hugely challenging intake. Despite having a brilliant head and several Ofsted's worth of outstanding reports, it has not (yet?) managed to become the girls' school of choice for the area.

Jajas · 03/04/2009 18:03

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brimfull · 03/04/2009 18:08

have I missed something that link only showed about a minutes length of speech

Nancy66 · 03/04/2009 18:15

There's footage on You Tube.

What a fantastic woman and a great role model.

edam · 03/04/2009 18:38

I like the fact that she went to a school named after Elizabeth Garret Anderson.

frogwatcher · 03/04/2009 18:45

Am I the only person in the world who didnt find it inspiring given that it was probably researched and written by an aid, practised in front of a mirror to get the right emotion and delivered in a very nervous way. I admit the words were good but then thats what the speech writers are paid a fortune to do. I read an article a little while ago on the presidents speech writers and its quite an eye opener. Or do I just live in a grumpy old woman world. (ducks now and waits for it).

DSMaryMagdalene · 03/04/2009 18:56

I cried. She and Barack are fucking amazing, thats all I have to say.

southeastastra · 03/04/2009 19:01

frog i'm sort of dubious too - lots of umms in her speech i noticed. but then again i'm cynical about most things

bagsforlife · 03/04/2009 19:03

I do think it was fantastic and she is an inspirantional role model for girls, BUT not everyone can be as intelligent as her in the first place!

It is right and sensible for students to work to their best ability but it is unrealistic to think that anyone can do anything if they just put their mind to it. It's not as simple as that.

But she has risen from her very 'ordinary' background to become a very successful lawyer (I think) and obviously the First Lady which is a fantastic achievement, and which can only be an inspiration to many girls from difficult circumstances who need to overcome all kinds of problems. I do worry though sometimes that this 'anyone can do anything' mantra could lead to slight disappointment in some cases...

Overall, though, it's better to see it from that point of view rather than the 'it's not for the likes of me' point of view.

Original poster
QuantitativeMeasure · 03/04/2009 19:05

frogwatcher- I imagine that it was researched to a degree ( I thought as much when she mentioned 'council estate'- They dont have 'council ests in the US do they?)

However, you cant really fake emotion and warmth to the level she did- not many would actually hug those girls.

She inspired me and im a 31 year old woman, If she had delivered the same speech to me and my crew at secondary school- no doubt some of us would have possibly achieved more than a couple of GCSE's. Im sure of it.

I really, really like her- I think she is a wonderful role model for young girls.

OP posts:
drosophila · 03/04/2009 19:14

My kids go to a primary school with a similar challenging intake and last night we were treated to an incredible theatrical performance. To see kids who have recently left Somalia and Poland with very little English get up on stage and perform their hearts was truly inspirational. I just wish kids in London had more role models closer to home to motivate them.

Do you think this country is likly to elect someone like Barack?

My DP's father's cousin was the first Black Congress person in the US back in the 60's (I think) so I feel a particular connection to Barack O. She was also an inspirational person against a very tough background and from humble beginnings.