Michelle Obama becomes 'cheerleader-in-chief'

ByABC News
March 19, 2009, 6:59 PM

— -- To all the varied (and unpaid) jobs of the first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama has lately added cheerleader-in-chief. On Thursday, she employed her pep-rally skills to exhort students at Washington, D.C.-area high schools that they, too, can achieve their highest dreams.

Obama and a clutch of high-profile female pals entertainers, athletes, a former astronaut, a four-star general fanned out to 11 schools to rally groups of students as part of the celebration of Women's History Month.

"Our job is simple," Obama said. "Just be open, be honest, be real, be clear, and have fun."

Obama herself went to Washington's struggling Anacostia High School. The waiting students hadn't been told the identity of their guest, and there was an audible gasp when she walked in.

"Someone in your school thought you had a lot of potential," she told the 10 girls and three boys. "Each of you have struggled with something, but you've overcome it, you've pushed to the next level. I didn't want to talk to kids who had already arrived, I wanted to talk to kids who are pushing to get to the next place."

It has been two months since Barack Obama took office, and in that time Michelle Obama has busied herself in public by reaching out to the Washington community in a way the most recent occupants of the White House never did. In near-daily visits, she has met with federal employees, mixed with students at local schools and pitched in at community organizations. Her invariable message: You're doing a great job, thanks for all your help, keep up the good work.

On Thursday morning, she gathered her female posse at the White House for refreshments and instructed them to go forth and be encouraging.

"This was one of my dreams gathering an amazing group of women together, and going out and talking to young girls around this country," Obama told the women, including actresses Fran Drescher and Phylicia Rashad; singers Alicia Keys and Sheryl Crow; astronaut Mae Jemison; and U.S. Army Gen. Ann Dunwoody.