This past Tuesday was the United State of Women Summit at the White House, an event that addressed women's issues — from campus sexual assault to pay equity to educational opportunities — and improving gender and LGBT equality.
Multiple speakers took the stage during the Summit, but the centerpiece of it all was an armchair conversation between FLOTUS Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey. The two touched upon so much in their chat, discussing everything from politics to pop culture. Below are some key points from their insightful talk.
1. Obama on becoming the first lady she wanted to be: "People asked all throughout the campaign: 'What are your issues going to be? What are you going to be like as first lady?' And I said I have to wait until I get there to figure out what that's going to feel like for me. I specifically did not read other first ladies' books because I didn't want to be influenced by how they defined the role. I knew that I would have to find this role very uniquely and specifically to me and who I was."
2. Obama on the top "mmm-mmm-mmm" moments in the White House: "Prince and Stevie Wonder singing in the East Room, just — may he rest in peace. I mean, those rare gifts of entertainment, the kind of music we have been able to bring into the White House. Sitting with the pope, watching my mother and my daughters talk to the pope. That's like a — mmm, mmm, mmm...Good lord, watching my husband walk off of Marine One and go to the Oval Office, it's like, mmm, mmm, mmm."
3. Obama on what men can do to help women: "Be better. Be better at everything. Be better fathers. Good lord, just being good fathers who love your daughters and are providing a solid example of what it means to be a good man in the world, showing them what it feels like to be loved. That is the greatest gift that the men in my life gave to me. And we've talked about this, the fact that I never experienced abuse at the hands of any man in my life. And that's sad to say that that's a rare reality. So men can be better at that."
Earlier that day President Barack Obama also took the stage, addressing the 5,000 people in attendance and offering a robust feminist speech. "I may be a little grayer than I was eight years ago," Obama said. "But this is what a feminist looks like."
Check out the interview between Michelle and Oprah below.
