Michelle Obama is unlike any other First Lady in American History. From her first moments on the public stage, she has challenged traditional American notions about what it means to be beautiful, to be strong, to be fashion conscious, to be healthy, to be First Mum, to be a caretaker and hostess, and to be partner to the most powerful man in the world. As Hillary Clinton has said, admiringly about Michelle Obama, our soon to be ex-First Lady exemplifies the ideal concept of American womanhood.

What is remarkable is that, at 52, she is just getting started. While many books have looked at Michelle Obama from a fashion perspective, no book has fully explored what Michelle Obama means to our culture. The Meaning of Michelle does just that, while offering a parting gift to a landmark moment in American history. This collection presents a chorus of diverse voices with smart, engaging perspectives on Michelle Obama.

Contributors include Ava DuVernay, Benilde Little, Damon Young, Alicia Flail Moran and Jason Moran, Brittney Cooper, Ylonda Gault Caviness, Chirlane McCray, Cathi Hanauer, Tiffany Dufu, Tanisha Forde, Marcus Samuelsson, Sarah Lewis, Phillipa Soo, Rebecca Carroll, and Roxane Gay.