Life Meets Work Blog

Full transcript of Michelle Obama’s May 7 speech at a forum for the Corporate Voices for Working Families in Washington D.C.

The First Lady on balance and workplace flexibility:

So this isn’t just about family balance.  This is about making workplaces stronger and more effective, and keeping and attracting the most qualified people.  This research is critical to empowering employers and is politically — particularly important during our current economic climate.

We need to discuss flexible work hours that give employees greater ability to attend to important family responsibilities like child pick-up, something as simple as that; doctors appointments for those not just with kids, but for people with elderly parents.  We’re finding more and more that families are in that crunch, as well.

She also highlighted the importance of paid sick leave, the difficulties faced by one-wage-earner families, and how hard it is to be a working mom (even if you have a Chief of Staff and personal assistant).

Posted by Jaime

As promised First Lady Michelle Obama is raising awareness of the struggles faced by military families.  She mentioned that issue several times throughout the campaign, and she and the President continue to reference to military family life in public speeches—including during a March 3 speech at the Arlington National Cemetery’s memorial for military women.

“As the president said last week during his address at Camp Lejeune, service doesn’t end with the person wearing the uniform. You all know that,” Mrs. Obama said.

While it’s still unclear what those improvements might be, military families are glad to see the issue is still top-of-mind, in spite of pressing economic issues.

That said, we’re hearing less right now of the First Lady’s other anticipated priority—that of improving work/life issues for all Americans.

Yet, the argument goes: “Why should we?” The Obamas have yet to reach that ‘made-much-of’ 100 day milestone, and reports suggest that Michelle is focused on getting her family well settled into new routines (and new school) before she jumps into public committee work.

As Christi Parsons wrote for the Chicago Tribune:

“She’s going to put the right emphasis on job and accomplishment, plus raising children,” said Baldridge. “That’s where she can inspire women of today, who are frantically trying to work their way up in the world and be compensated properly. Michelle is always going back to her kids. . . She will help women realize that a woman can juggle the two, that she can find that division between family and job, and experience joy in both places.”

Posted by Jaime