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Home • News

Michelle Obama Meeting The Little Girl Who Couldn’t Stop Looking At Her Portrait Will Move You To Tears

Michelle Obama Meeting The Little Girl Who Couldn’t Stop Looking At Her Portrait Will Move You To Tears
SAUL LOEB/Getty Images
By Britni Danielle · Updated October 24, 2020

We already knew our forever FLOTUS Michelle Obama was amazing, but her latest social media share is giving us all the feels.

Last week, an image of a little girl staring up at Mrs. Obama’s painting at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery gave us chills. The little girl seemed mesmerized by the former first lady’s image, and it was clear proof that representation matters.

Mrs. Obama seemed to predict the powerful moment back in February when the painting was unveiled.

“I’m also thinking about all of the young people, particularly girls and girls of color, who, in years ahead, will come to this place and they will look up and they will see an image of someone who looks like them hanging on the wall of this great American institution,” she said at the time.

Just a few weeks later, it happened; and museum visitor, Ben Hines, captured the moment.

Donna Hines & I made a pilgrimage today and we were delighted to wait in line behind this fellow art lover & hopeful patriot.

Posted by Ben Hines on Thursday, March 1, 2018

 

“It was so touching and uplifting for me to see this beautiful child looking at a beautiful portrait of a powerful woman,” he recalled. “I was so delighted to have been in the right place at the right time.”

An even more awesome moment happened Tuesday when Mrs. Obama met the little girl who was captivated by her portrait.

The pair connected for a meet up and dance session, and the first lady shared some inspiring words for the young girl.

Parker, I'm so glad I had the chance to meet you today (and for the dance party)! Keep on dreaming big for yourself...and maybe one day I'll proudly look up at a portrait of you! pic.twitter.com/faUVTsYWun

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) March 6, 2018

“Parker, I’m so glad I had the chance to meet you today (and for the dance party),” Mrs. Obama wrote on social media. “Keep on dreaming big for yourself…and maybe one day I’ll proudly look up at a portrait of you!”