Michelle Obama Gave Her Last Speech As FLOTUS and We’re Not Crying, You’re Crying

As we enter into a new era that brings us a President who spends his days tweeting about television ratings, let’s make sure to appreciate our last days with the current administration. As of Friday, Michelle Obama has given her last public speech as First Lady and oh wow, is it a beautiful one. Not that you’d expect any less from her, of course. The speech was given at an event honoring the 2017 School Counselor of the Year (an event only just established in 2015), so our FLOTUS was, of course, all about education, empowering youths, and that ever-important “power of hope.”

If you’re fearful for the future, or just grateful for the present and the recent past, then warning: major feelings ahead. Watch the whole video of her speech above, because there’s too much for just pull quotes. Well, okay, fine, just one. Here’s her “simple” final message to young people, from the end of her speech.

I want our young people to know that they matter. That they belong. So don’t be afraid. You hear me, young people, don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined. Be hopeful. Be empowered. Empower yourselves with a good education. Then get out there and use that education to build a country worthy of your boundless promise. Lead by example with hope, never fear. And know that I will be with you, rooting for you and working to support you for the rest of my life… Being your First Lady has been the greatest honor of my life, and I hope I’ve made you proud.

Again, watch that whole speech, because seeing her face and hearing Michelle Obama’s voice cracks as she tells you she believes in you is what we all need right now.

(image via screengrab)

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Vivian Kane

Vivian Kane (she/her) is the Senior News Editor at The Mary Sue, where she's been writing about politics and entertainment (and all the ways in which the two overlap) since the dark days of late 2016. Born in San Francisco and radicalized in Los Angeles, she now lives in Kansas City, Missouri, where she gets to put her MFA to use covering the local theatre scene. She is the co-owner of The Pitch, Kansas City’s alt news and culture magazine, alongside her husband, Brock Wilbur, with whom she also shares many cats.

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