This #Thanksgiving, we have a lot to be grateful for — our families, our health, and so much more. As we gather together today, let’s also give thanks to all those who bravely serve our country far from their homes and families. Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!
You learn very quickly that there is no handbook or rules to being First Lady. Technically, it’s not even an official position. And while there are spoken and unspoken expectations that provide some structure, the role is largely shaped by the passions and aspirations of the person holding it.
First Lady Rosalynn Carter understood that well.
Guided by her abiding faith and her commitment to service, Mrs. Carter used her platform in profoundly meaningful ways. Her groundbreaking work to combat the stigma faced by those struggling with their mental health brought light to so many suffering in silence. She advocated for better care for the elderly. She advanced women’s rights. And she remained a champion for those causes — and many others like building affordable housing for those in need and caring for our nation’s caregivers — in the more than four decades that followed.
When our family was in the White House, every so often, Rosalynn would join me for lunch, offering a few words of advice and always — always — a helping hand. She reminded me to make the role of First Lady my own, just like she did. I’ll always remain grateful for her support and her generosity.
Today, Barack and I join the world in celebrating the remarkable legacy of a First Lady, philanthropist, and advocate who dedicated her life to lifting up others. Her life is a reminder that no matter who we are, our legacies are best measured not in awards or accolades, but in the lives we touch. We send our thoughts and prayers to Jimmy and the entire Carter family during this difficult time.
You learn very quickly that there is no handbook or rules to being First Lady. Technically, it’s not even an official position. And while there are spoken and unspoken expectations that provide some structure, the role is largely shaped by the passions and aspirations of the person holding it.
First Lady Rosalynn Carter understood that well.
Guided by her abiding faith and her commitment to service, Mrs. Carter used her platform in profoundly meaningful ways. Her groundbreaking work to combat the stigma faced by those struggling with their mental health brought light to so many suffering in silence. She advocated for better care for the elderly. She advanced women’s rights. And she remained a champion for those causes — and many others like building affordable housing for those in need and caring for our nation’s caregivers — in the more than four decades that followed.
When our family was in the White House, every so often, Rosalynn would join me for lunch, offering a few words of advice and always — always — a helping hand. She reminded me to make the role of First Lady my own, just like she did. I’ll always remain grateful for her support and her generosity.
Today, Barack and I join the world in celebrating the remarkable legacy of a First Lady, philanthropist, and advocate who dedicated her life to lifting up others. Her life is a reminder that no matter who we are, our legacies are best measured not in awards or accolades, but in the lives we touch. We send our thoughts and prayers to Jimmy and the entire Carter family during this difficult time.
I will never forget the girls I met at the Ludzi Girls Secondary School. 🫶🏾 Lilongwe, Malawi
When a young Sandra Day graduated from Stanford Law School near the top of her class — in two years instead of the usual three — she was offered just one job in the private sector. Her prospective employer asked her how well she typed and told her there might be work for her as a legal secretary.
Fortunately for us, she set her sights a little higher — becoming the first woman to serve as a U.S. Supreme Court justice. As a judge and Arizona legislator, a cancer survivor and child of the Texas plains, Sandra Day O’Connor was like the pilgrim in the poem she sometimes quoted — forging a new path and building a bridge behind her for all young women to follow. Michelle and I send our thoughts to Sandra’s family and everyone who learned from and admired her.
This week, I’ll be sharing more about the work the @GirlsOpportunityAlliance is doing to support organizations like @AGEAfrica who are working to create a brighter future for young women. 🌍
Every place I go, I meet girls with endless passion, resilience, and hope for the future. My recent trip to Malawi and South Africa with @MelindaFrenchGates and Amal Clooney was no different. We met with dozens of incredible girls with big dreams for themselves, and spoke with leaders who are working tirelessly to build a brighter future for these girls.
The @BBC100Women produced a documentary that shares their powerful stories and highlights some of our efforts to end child marriage. You can watch it now at the link in my bio—I hope you’ll be just as inspired and moved by their stories as I was.
Every place I go, I meet girls with endless passion, resilience, and hope for the future. My recent trip to Malawi and South Africa with @MelindaFrenchGates and Amal Clooney was no different. We met with dozens of incredible girls with big dreams for themselves, and spoke with leaders who are working tirelessly to build a brighter future for these girls.
The @BBC100Women produced a documentary that shares their powerful stories and highlights some of our efforts to end child marriage. You can watch it now at the link in my bio—I hope you’ll be just as inspired and moved by their stories as I was.
Every place I go, I meet girls with endless passion, resilience, and hope for the future. My recent trip to Malawi and South Africa with @MelindaFrenchGates and Amal Clooney was no different. We met with dozens of incredible girls with big dreams for themselves, and spoke with leaders who are working tirelessly to build a brighter future for these girls.
The @BBC100Women produced a documentary that shares their powerful stories and highlights some of our efforts to end child marriage. You can watch it now at the link in my bio—I hope you’ll be just as inspired and moved by their stories as I was.
Every place I go, I meet girls with endless passion, resilience, and hope for the future. My recent trip to Malawi and South Africa with @MelindaFrenchGates and Amal Clooney was no different. We met with dozens of incredible girls with big dreams for themselves, and spoke with leaders who are working tirelessly to build a brighter future for these girls.
The @BBC100Women produced a documentary that shares their powerful stories and highlights some of our efforts to end child marriage. You can watch it now at the link in my bio—I hope you’ll be just as inspired and moved by their stories as I was.
This week, @MelindaFrenchGates, Amal Clooney, and I are in Malawi as part of an effort we launched last year between the @GirlsOpportunityAlliance, @GatesFoundation, and @ClooneyFoundationforJustice to help end child marriage and to support women and girls pursuing their education. We’re meeting with grassroots leaders and changemakers to hear their stories and find ways to support girls who are working to overcome barriers to pursue their dreams.
We met with young women who are part of @AGEAfrica — a program supported by the Girls Opportunity Alliance — that provides girls with scholarships, mentorship, and afterschool programming. I saw so much of myself in these bright young women, and I was just so moved by their determination and resilience.
Making sure girls finish school is one of the best ways to counter child marriage and help them reach their fullest potential. Over the next few days, we’ll be sharing more stories from our trip — hope you’ll follow along. Lilongwe, Malawi
This week, @MelindaFrenchGates, Amal Clooney, and I are in Malawi as part of an effort we launched last year between the @GirlsOpportunityAlliance, @GatesFoundation, and @ClooneyFoundationforJustice to help end child marriage and to support women and girls pursuing their education. We’re meeting with grassroots leaders and changemakers to hear their stories and find ways to support girls who are working to overcome barriers to pursue their dreams.
We met with young women who are part of @AGEAfrica — a program supported by the Girls Opportunity Alliance — that provides girls with scholarships, mentorship, and afterschool programming. I saw so much of myself in these bright young women, and I was just so moved by their determination and resilience.
Making sure girls finish school is one of the best ways to counter child marriage and help them reach their fullest potential. Over the next few days, we’ll be sharing more stories from our trip — hope you’ll follow along. Lilongwe, Malawi
This week, @MelindaFrenchGates, Amal Clooney, and I are in Malawi as part of an effort we launched last year between the @GirlsOpportunityAlliance, @GatesFoundation, and @ClooneyFoundationforJustice to help end child marriage and to support women and girls pursuing their education. We’re meeting with grassroots leaders and changemakers to hear their stories and find ways to support girls who are working to overcome barriers to pursue their dreams.
We met with young women who are part of @AGEAfrica — a program supported by the Girls Opportunity Alliance — that provides girls with scholarships, mentorship, and afterschool programming. I saw so much of myself in these bright young women, and I was just so moved by their determination and resilience.
Making sure girls finish school is one of the best ways to counter child marriage and help them reach their fullest potential. Over the next few days, we’ll be sharing more stories from our trip — hope you’ll follow along. Lilongwe, Malawi
This week, @MelindaFrenchGates, Amal Clooney, and I are in Malawi as part of an effort we launched last year between the @GirlsOpportunityAlliance, @GatesFoundation, and @ClooneyFoundationforJustice to help end child marriage and to support women and girls pursuing their education. We’re meeting with grassroots leaders and changemakers to hear their stories and find ways to support girls who are working to overcome barriers to pursue their dreams.
We met with young women who are part of @AGEAfrica — a program supported by the Girls Opportunity Alliance — that provides girls with scholarships, mentorship, and afterschool programming. I saw so much of myself in these bright young women, and I was just so moved by their determination and resilience.
Making sure girls finish school is one of the best ways to counter child marriage and help them reach their fullest potential. Over the next few days, we’ll be sharing more stories from our trip — hope you’ll follow along. Lilongwe, Malawi
While in South Africa, we brought together grassroots leaders who are working to empower women and girls and help end child marriage in their communities.
Memory Banda shared her powerful personal testimony about how child marriage impacted her family and how we can come together to create a better future for girls. Dr. Faith Mwangi-Powell from @GirlsNotBrides_ talked about the global progress that has been made to end child marriage and the work that still remains. Grassroots leaders from Malawi, Tanzania, and Guinea discussed their own efforts in a conversation led by the Girls First Fund — including leading youth-led groups that promote education and the importance of encouraging men and boys to become part of the change.
@MelindaFrenchGates, Amal Clooney, Graça Machel, and I sat down with Redi Tlhabi to discuss how our organizations are working to support young women around the world.
At the @GirlsOpportunityAlliance, we are working to support the next generation of women and girls, and I hope you’ll join us in this work at the link in my bio. Cape Town, South Africa
While in South Africa, we brought together grassroots leaders who are working to empower women and girls and help end child marriage in their communities.
Memory Banda shared her powerful personal testimony about how child marriage impacted her family and how we can come together to create a better future for girls. Dr. Faith Mwangi-Powell from @GirlsNotBrides_ talked about the global progress that has been made to end child marriage and the work that still remains. Grassroots leaders from Malawi, Tanzania, and Guinea discussed their own efforts in a conversation led by the Girls First Fund — including leading youth-led groups that promote education and the importance of encouraging men and boys to become part of the change.
@MelindaFrenchGates, Amal Clooney, Graça Machel, and I sat down with Redi Tlhabi to discuss how our organizations are working to support young women around the world.
At the @GirlsOpportunityAlliance, we are working to support the next generation of women and girls, and I hope you’ll join us in this work at the link in my bio. Cape Town, South Africa
While in South Africa, we brought together grassroots leaders who are working to empower women and girls and help end child marriage in their communities.
Memory Banda shared her powerful personal testimony about how child marriage impacted her family and how we can come together to create a better future for girls. Dr. Faith Mwangi-Powell from @GirlsNotBrides_ talked about the global progress that has been made to end child marriage and the work that still remains. Grassroots leaders from Malawi, Tanzania, and Guinea discussed their own efforts in a conversation led by the Girls First Fund — including leading youth-led groups that promote education and the importance of encouraging men and boys to become part of the change.
@MelindaFrenchGates, Amal Clooney, Graça Machel, and I sat down with Redi Tlhabi to discuss how our organizations are working to support young women around the world.
At the @GirlsOpportunityAlliance, we are working to support the next generation of women and girls, and I hope you’ll join us in this work at the link in my bio. Cape Town, South Africa
While in South Africa, we brought together grassroots leaders who are working to empower women and girls and help end child marriage in their communities.
Memory Banda shared her powerful personal testimony about how child marriage impacted her family and how we can come together to create a better future for girls. Dr. Faith Mwangi-Powell from @GirlsNotBrides_ talked about the global progress that has been made to end child marriage and the work that still remains. Grassroots leaders from Malawi, Tanzania, and Guinea discussed their own efforts in a conversation led by the Girls First Fund — including leading youth-led groups that promote education and the importance of encouraging men and boys to become part of the change.
@MelindaFrenchGates, Amal Clooney, Graça Machel, and I sat down with Redi Tlhabi to discuss how our organizations are working to support young women around the world.
At the @GirlsOpportunityAlliance, we are working to support the next generation of women and girls, and I hope you’ll join us in this work at the link in my bio. Cape Town, South Africa
While in South Africa, we brought together grassroots leaders who are working to empower women and girls and help end child marriage in their communities.
Memory Banda shared her powerful personal testimony about how child marriage impacted her family and how we can come together to create a better future for girls. Dr. Faith Mwangi-Powell from @GirlsNotBrides_ talked about the global progress that has been made to end child marriage and the work that still remains. Grassroots leaders from Malawi, Tanzania, and Guinea discussed their own efforts in a conversation led by the Girls First Fund — including leading youth-led groups that promote education and the importance of encouraging men and boys to become part of the change.
@MelindaFrenchGates, Amal Clooney, Graça Machel, and I sat down with Redi Tlhabi to discuss how our organizations are working to support young women around the world.
At the @GirlsOpportunityAlliance, we are working to support the next generation of women and girls, and I hope you’ll join us in this work at the link in my bio. Cape Town, South Africa
While in South Africa, we brought together grassroots leaders who are working to empower women and girls and help end child marriage in their communities.
Memory Banda shared her powerful personal testimony about how child marriage impacted her family and how we can come together to create a better future for girls. Dr. Faith Mwangi-Powell from @GirlsNotBrides_ talked about the global progress that has been made to end child marriage and the work that still remains. Grassroots leaders from Malawi, Tanzania, and Guinea discussed their own efforts in a conversation led by the Girls First Fund — including leading youth-led groups that promote education and the importance of encouraging men and boys to become part of the change.
@MelindaFrenchGates, Amal Clooney, Graça Machel, and I sat down with Redi Tlhabi to discuss how our organizations are working to support young women around the world.
At the @GirlsOpportunityAlliance, we are working to support the next generation of women and girls, and I hope you’ll join us in this work at the link in my bio. Cape Town, South Africa
Every girl deserves a chance to live a life worthy of her dreams. That is only possible in a world without child marriage, which is why @MelindaFrenchGates, Amal Clooney, and I are taking action with organizations around the world to help to end this practice.
We spent time in Malawi and South Africa visiting organizations like @AGEAfrica to discuss our efforts to unlock a more equal future for girls. We can’t do this work alone, and I hope you’ll join us to take action.
This #GivingTuesday, the @GirlsOpportunityAlliance is adding new grassroots organizations to our Fund that are working to educate and empower girls around the world. I hope you’ll support them however you can at the link in my bio.
I had the chance to sit down with Director George C. Wolfe to talk about @HigherGroundMedia’s latest feature film, Rustin — a story Barack and I are just so proud to help tell. Depicting the life of Bayard Rustin, a gay civil rights activist who helped organize the March on Washington, this movie will get you thinking about the civil rights movement and all the work that went into it, in a way you may never have before.
Check out this behind-the-scenes look at my conversation with George — and be sure to watch Rustin with your family and friends now streaming on Netflix!
@michelleobama, Amal Clooney (@clooneyfoundationforjustice), and I share the belief that every girl deserves the chance to live the life she envisions for herself. That’s why we’ve joined forces to help end child marriage.
We recently traveled to Malawi and South Africa to learn from some of the people who are working to end this harmful practice. Their efforts are proving that progress is possible—and that everyone benefits when girls are free to shape their own futures.
Thank you to everyone who made this trip one to remember.
I can’t believe this month marks one year since the release of The Light We Carry! Today, on #SmallBusinessSaturday, I feel so grateful for all the independent bookstores around the world who’ve carried this book in their stores and for all of their incredible readers for continuing to carry the light and share it with others every day. #TheLightWeCarry 📚
