25 of the World’s Most Inspiring Women
FOR STANDING BY HER MAN AND BEING HER OWN WOMAN This
devoted mother of two young girls, vice-president of community and external affairs for University of Chicago Hospitals, active board member of several organizations, and let’s not forget, leading supporter of her husband, Senator Barack Obama, has got her hands full. But the 42-year-old refuses to accept the crown of superwoman. “I know I can’t do it alone,” Obama insists. Losing her father and a best friend in the same year led the Harvard Law School grad to wrestle with her sense of purpose—and eventually leave her high-paying job at a prestigious Chicago law firm. Obama founded Public Allies Chicago, which urges young people to be active in social issues, and she works with various other programs. “The earlier you realize you can build a career that affects the community, the easier it becomes to shape it.” —n.h.
Find out the other 15 World's Most Inspiring Women in the May issue of Essence! On newsstands April 18, 2006. |
