A comparison of the time served by former First Lady Michelle Obama and current First Lady Melania Trump reveals vast differences in approach and legacy. Obama advocated for healthier living and girls’ education during her time in the White House, and is widely considered one of the most beloved First Ladies in recent history. Trump has instead focused on children’s well-being and combating cyberbullying, launching the “Be Best” campaign in 2018. While Melania Trump’s lasting impact remains to be seen, the approaches of both First Ladies demonstrate the potential for advocacy work from within the role.

Michelle Obama vs. Melania Trump: A Comparison of First Ladies

When discussing the role of the First Lady of the United States, there are two names that immediately come to mind. Michelle Obama and Melania Trump have both served as the First Lady of the United States, but their time spent in the role could not be more different. In this article, we will compare and contrast the two women and their legacies as First Ladies.

Backgrounds

Michelle Obama and Melania Trump come from vastly different backgrounds. Michelle Obama was born and raised in Chicago, IL, and attended Princeton University and Harvard Law School. Before becoming the First Lady, she worked as a lawyer and as the Vice President for Community and External Affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

On the other hand, Melania Trump was born in Slovenia and moved to New York City in 1996 to work as a model. She met Donald Trump in 1998 and they were married in 2005.

Initiatives as First Lady

During her time as First Lady, Michelle Obama focused on promoting healthy eating and physical activity, especially for children. She started the “Let’s Move!” campaign in 2010, which aimed to combat childhood obesity through healthier eating and exercise.

Melania Trump’s time as First Lady has been focused on promoting the well-being of children and combatting cyberbullying. In 2018, she launched the “Be Best” campaign, which seeks to address issues such as social media use and opioid abuse among children.

Public Image

Michelle Obama is widely considered to be one of the most popular and beloved First Ladies in recent history. She was often praised for her grace, intelligence, and advocacy work during her time in the White House.

On the other hand, Melania Trump’s public image has been more polarizing. Some have criticized her for not being vocal enough in her criticism of her husband’s policies, while others have praised her fashion sense and her emphasis on children’s well-being.

Legacy

Michelle Obama’s legacy as First Lady is centered on her advocacy work for healthier living and education. She was also a strong advocate for women’s rights and worked to increase access to education for girls around the world.

It is too soon to determine Melania Trump’s legacy as First Lady, as she is still in the role. However, her focus on children’s well-being and social media use may be a lasting impact of her time in the White House.

Conclusion

Michelle Obama and Melania Trump serve as two drastically different examples of what it means to be a First Lady. While their backgrounds and public images may differ, they both worked to promote causes that they believed in during their time in the White House. Only time will tell what Melania Trump’s lasting impact will be, but both women will be remembered for their contributions to the role of the First Lady and their efforts to improve the lives of Americans.