Michelle Obama @michelleobama

Today, my friend Michele Norris and I sat down with the ladies of @HTXBookAndBrunch in Houston to talk about our individual paths of becoming. With newlyweds and some new moms in the group, we focused on the necessity of self-care, the important role girlfriends play in our lives, and the balancing act of work and family. Thanks to Cindy and Alexis for leading the conversation — it was so much fun! To all the book clubs out there, keep your feedback and questions coming. Add them to the comments below or share using #IAmBecoming. Can’t wait to hear from you!

As we enter #WomensHistoryMonth, I’m going to keep focusing on the stories of the history that’s being made today. I’ll be telling you about young women I’ve met recently—young women who are making the most of the opportunities created by the generations who came before them. I met this first group of young ladies when I visited my alma mater, @WhitneyMYoungHS on the South Side of Chicago, last fall with my friend Robin Roberts. They’re working hard in their classes, expressing themselves through dance, and dreaming big for themselves in the years ahead. It probably goes without saying, but I see a lot of myself in these smiles. And I can’t wait to see what they become. #FlashbackFriday #IAmBecoming

Your story matters—but if you don’t see that, chances are no one else will either. So even though I know it isn’t always easy, I hope everyone out there finds the strength to share their truth. Because the world needs to hear it. That’s the message I had for the students at the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona—one of the brightest, most resilient, most inspiring groups I’ve met. I have a feeling we’ll hear more from them in the years ahead. #MondayMotivation#ReachHigher

This huggable young woman is Shayla Allen—and she’s the next young history-maker I want to tell you about during #BlackHistoryMonth. I met Shayla in Philadelphia last November along with several of her friends at @beGirl.world. In addition to working hard in her classes at Central High School, Shayla is active in the African American student union and poetry club. She loves to dance, whether it’s modern, jazz, ballet, or anything else. One day, she hopes to be an English or science teacher. She shared her own #IAmBecomingstory with me saying, “I’m becoming a girl who is comfortable and happy in the skin I’m in and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way.” I’m so proud of you, Shayla—just like I’m proud of all the young people finding strength and pride in who they are. Do you know a young leader who deserves a shoutout? Share their story with me and tag them in the comments below.??#ShareBlackStories #FlashbackFriday

Jaquan Frierson is the next young history-maker I want to tell you about for #BlackHistoryMonth. I saw Jaquan last year at the @motownmuseum with a group of inspiring young men from @waynestate —and it turned out he’d celebrated #CollegeSigningDay in Detroit with me 3 years earlier, too. He’s been busy since I saw him last. Jaquan is a first-generation college student. He’s studying mechanical engineering. He’s conducting research into new sources of renewable energy. He’s a volunteer math tutor for Detroit public schools. And he started his own record label. There are a lot of roads in front of Jaquan—he hopes to start a business in Detroit someday—just like there are unlimited pathways for all those students like him across the country. They might be the first in their families to get a college degree, but they won’t be the last. Now, I want to hear from you! Share a story of a first-generation college student paving the way for those behind them by using #ShareBlackStories.#FlashbackFriday

So lucky to call these three my valentines for all these years. ?

When your mom doesn’t think you’re a “real” celebrity…Tonight in Phoenix, I shared this text thread from my mom from #Grammysnight, and I just had to share it with all of you. #TextsFromMom ?

Today I sat down with several young people from the Gila River Indian Community in Chandler, Arizona, home to the Akimel O’otham and Pee Posh tribes. To me, these students are living proof of the power of resilience. No matter what they’re facing, no matter their circumstances, they get up every day believing that they can make life better for themselves, their families, and their peers. I believe in them, too—and I hope you do as well. This isn’t the last time we’ll hear from Samaira, Andrew, Adam, Charisma, Daniel, Karissa, and Erica. #ReachHigher

For me, a big part of friendship is showing up for your girls—whether that’s for a birthday, a quick catch-up after work, or a major milestone. So I was thrilled to be there for the one and only @aliciakeys at the #GRAMMYs. She is one of the most genuine, caring, and thoughtful people I know—there’s no one better to help us all celebrate the unifying power of music!

This #BlackHistoryMonth, I’m paying tribute not only to the contributions that have been made over the years, but all the history being made right now. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing stories of young people I’ve met in the past year—young people who stand on the shoulders of the giants we celebrate this month while also building a legacy of their own. This charming young woman is Alexandra Swain, who I met when I visited my alma mater, @WhitneyMYoungHS, in Chicago. She’s a junior there, editor of the school newspaper, president of the mock trial team, and a mentor to younger students. Outside of school, she volunteers at a retirement home, an animal welfare organization, and her local parks district. She’s making history, day by day, in big ways and in small. What gives me hope is that there are millions of young people like Alexandra doing us proud all across the country. They’re a reminder that so much of our history is yet to be written. Now, I call on you to share your own stories with #ShareBlackStories. #FlashbackFriday

Since I published my memoir, one of my favorite parts of the whole experience has been hearing from all of you—especially those of you in book clubs. I know that you all have been having some long discussions with your friends, and I hope it’s been worthwhile. So, as I prepare for the conversations I’ll be having on this final leg of my book tour, I’d love to hear more about what you all have been talking about! What issues have you been focusing on? What resonated in your own lives? What did you want to hear more about? Share your thoughts with me using #IAmBecoming. Also, your book club could get tickets to one of my events this spring—learn more at becomingmichelleobama.com.

Give it up for National School Counselor of the Year Brian Coleman from my hometown of Chicago! Hearing his story is the perfect kind of #MondayMotivation for #NSCW19.To Brian and school counselors across the country, thank you for helping our students reach their full potential! Now I want to hear from you: Tell me about how a school counselor has helped you on your journey. #ReachHigher

Thank you all so much for the birthday love—I love you all right back! Feeling so incredibly thankful for my South Side roots, my soul-affirming partner and daughters, and every unimaginable twist and turn over these 55 years. Can’t wait to see what becomes of the next one!

As I reflect on the past year, I’m so thankful and overwhelmed by all the new experiences and memories. From launching new endeavors and engaging new voters to sharing my story with all of you—and hearing about so many of yours as well. Thank you all for joining me on this journey and for sharing so much of yourselves. There’s so much to discover in 2019! #IAmBecoming #top9

My #IAmBecoming 2018 tour could not have been possible without these terrific, trailblazing women. From longtime mentors to friends new and old, I couldn’t have done this without each and every one of them! ❤️

That’s a wrap! When I think about all the people who have come out to our events over these past few weeks, I think about a little working-class kid named Michelle LaVaughn Robinson—an ordinary girl who had some tales to tell, some failures and some successes, too. She had a lot to learn, a lot to experience, a lot to give—more than she ever could have imagined. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about my story lately, and what I keep coming back to is that no matter where we came from, we all share so much. People of all backgrounds, skin colors, and political persuasions can relate to feeling uncertain or overwhelmed. We’ve all been a little frustrated by the slow, frustrating growth necessary to get where we want to go. We’ve all struggled with the balancing act that can take over days, years, or decades of our lives. And I want us all to remember that these are the moments and lessons that make us who we are — every little twist and turn, every little bump and bruise, and ultimately every joys and every triumph, no matter how large or small. So I hope all of you believe in your story. I hope you recognize that what you see as a weakness might actually be a strength. I hope you recognize the power of your voice. And I hope you remind yourself that there isn’t one right way to be an American. There isn’t one way to make your contribution in this country. So thank you all for your part of our story. Thank you for being who you are. And to everyone who’s read my memoir, or come to one of our events, or posted something online, thank you for being on this journey with me. Thank you for helping me continue to become. I hope my story can serve as a boost in your own process of becoming, too. I love you all.#IAmBecoming

Let’s give it up for all the independent booksellers out there for everything they do, including their support of Becoming these past few months! I hope everybody keeps supporting their neighborhood bookstore this holiday season and all year round! #bookstagram #IAmBecoming

As I told the young ladies I met in Dallas this week, your story is the most powerful part of who you are — the struggles, failures, successes and everything in between. Remember to always stay open to new experiences and never let the doubters get in the way. You all are so beautiful. #IAmBecoming

Thank you, Dallas, for being on this amazing journey with me! And @valeriebjarrett, thank you for your continued support and for sharing the stage! #IAmBecoming

Here’s a little #MondayMotivation from my new friends Rowyn and Celiste. Thanks to everyone who came out to @tatteredcoverbookstore last week in Denver! #IAmBecoming

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Starting @PublicAllies Chicago was the best job I ever had – formative and fulfilling, it was a daily reminder of the power and opportunity I had to create real change. I loved seeing that same spark in the young leaders I met in San Jose. We’ll hear from them again soon.

Bringing some holiday joy—and learning some new moves—with Santa and the kids @childrenscolo Hospital in Denver.

I’m so proud of these tremendous young men from @WayneState here in Detroit. They’re working hard to build their community and leave an even stronger city to the generations coming up behind them. Thanks to @keeganmic and my big brother Craig for joining in on the conversation. #IAmBecoming

I’m having so much fun with all of you on my #IAmBecoming tour that I decided to do one final round of events to see folks in some cities we missed! These conversations have been so meaningful for me, and I hope they’ve been meaningful for you all, too. Can’t wait to see even more of you in 2019!

Head over to healthcare.gov before the deadline on December 15! Regram: @barackobama

I ❤ NY

In 2009, I met so many promising, beautiful, and brilliant girls at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in London. These were girls who didn’t come from much—immigrants and minorities, many of them wearing headscarves—but they had all the potential in the world. In them, I saw myself as I’d once been. It was a visit that filled me with hope and shaped who I became as First Lady. Today, I returned there to meet the newest group of girls from EGA and another school I’d visited, Mulberry School for Girls—and I walked away just as hopeful as I was almost a decade ago. To all you inspiring young ladies, stay focused and keep believing in yourselves. Just remember that wherever you come from and wherever you go, you belong. #IAmBecoming

Thank you to @barnesandnoble for hosting me in NYC! I am so thankful to all of you who’ve picked up a copy of my book these past few weeks—I hope each of you finds something in it that’s meaningful for you.#IAmBecoming

To the awe-inspiring ladies of @girlsclubny: Always remember the power and the truth that lies inside your stories. I can’t wait to see what you do in the years ahead. I’m proud of you! #IAmBecoming @samkassdc

As a public servant, father, and grandfather, President George H.W. Bush was an extraordinary example for us all. His spirit of service and decency will be missed by many, including our family. I hope his memory will be a guiding light for our country and those around the world.

I love you, Philly! Thank you all for a terrific night, especially @dopequeenpheebs for bringing the energy and the laughs. #IAmBecoming