Mrs. Mentor
Monday, November 2, 2009 at 6:03 PM 
Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
Today Mrs. O launched a new White House mentoring program, hosting the kick-off for the initiative in the State Dining room. The first lady and her staff were joined by 13 area high school students, selected to participate in the program. Additional photos here.
Robin Givhan of the Washington Post described the event, here:
Obama said she became interested in the power of mentoring as a corporate lawyer in Chicago. Her office, she said, was on the 47th floor of a downtown building and her windows faced south towards her old neighborhood. Kids who were just as smart and capable as she was missed out on opportunities and successes "by a hair," she said.
And then she got a bit verklempt. "We've got the most powerful seat in the land to be a bridge-builder," she told the girls, her eyes tearing and voice cracking. "And I'm so excited and touched and moved to have you all here.... I can get emotional."
For the event, Mrs. O wore the same printed cardigan first seen a few weeks ago for the Os church outing.
Update: Reader Julie has pointed us to this crewcuts cardigan, a mini version of Mrs. O's! For those curious about Mrs. O's cut-out leather belt, this is not the first time we've seen it. Mrs. O wore the belt with a Maria Pinto ensemble, campaigning in Puerto Rico in 2008, seen here. Mica4Life also reminds us (via Twitter) that Mrs. O wore the belt the week before last for Breast Cancer Awareness month, here.
Reader Comments (28)
I just saw the pictures on Getty and our Michelle pairs the cardigan with brown pinstriped slacks, coral shell from Moschino suit and the eyelet leather obi/belt. As I said before, I'm not comfortable with mixing patterns on me (yet), but am going to give it a try. It looks good on real women not just runway and print models. I like this outfit today and the young ladies looked nice and attentive. Good for them!
I appreciate how she uses her pieces. and doesnt mind being seeing in something a few times. unlike some silly celebrities :))) she continues to prove that she really does represent alot of women.. and what an awesome opportunity in mentoring program..
please Mrs.T can we have a full-length picture of the First Lady?
Sorry chrystelle, Mrs. O had the best expression in this photo, and it best captured the context of the event. I will link to a slideshow of additional photos if I find one.
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/92615183/AFP
Link to full length image
I think the cardigan is from Target. I saw someone at work wearing something pretty similar...
chrystelle, there are a few on Getty: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/92615434/Getty-Images-News
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/92615377/Getty-Images-News
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/92615359/AFP
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/92615183/AFP
I love that cardigan!
Here is a video from Politico:
http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/1109/michelle_the_mentor_d13eeab9-2742-46dc-8f46-a8977acfe882.html
I love that she is mentoring young women. God knows we need it. And how amazing is it going to be for those girls to say that they were mentored by the First Lady of the United States. WOW!!
How fortunate these young people are to be mentored by Mrs. Obama. Can you imagine the fashionable, super-smart, Ive-League educated First Lady of the United States as your mentor?!? Wow!!!
Mrs. T, thank you so much for sharing so many beautiful pictures of our FLOTUS in various lovely garments and many situations.
Today I saw your book and your picture at Amazon. I'm really amazed at what you have accomplished! Bravo! That is a book that I must have.
Thanks April!
love her outfit she can pull anything off even if she is repeatting herself. she wear a dress with the same sweater on and now s he wear pants with it, now that what i call a great outfit.
This is an awesome idea!!! She still maintains a 'traditional', non-political First Lady role while making a profound difference in the lives of young women. Plus, Mrs. Obama has significant experience with mentoring so she'll be good at this. This is especially wonderful that this program will be focused on D.C. girls, who are most likely girls of color--they'll be mentored by women of color Valerie Jarrett, Desiree Rogers, etc--to see first hand that they can be women of influence themselves. This is a great idea and I hope Mrs. Obama expands this if it works with the first cohort.
Every First Lady gets to add something to the role--I loved that Laura Bush was calm despite the storm around her husband and that Hillary used the role as a jumpstart for her own political ambitions (I'm fine with that)-- and I hope that mentoring like this becomes a part of the role as First Lady.
I agree with FLOTUS' goals-- but on the fashion front, she needs to lose the belts--particularly the one she wore in these photos.
It strikes me that the print and colors of Michelle's cardigan would appeal to young ladies of this age and make her seem more accessible to them...much less offputting than a more formal authorative boxy suit. Good choice for this setting, in my opinion!
I have been mentoring three children in my local school for the past year. I love it. I can't recommend it enough. I am so proud of the First Lady, she is an inspiration. I don't even care what she wears anymore, I'm just so delighted with all the good and hard work that she is doing.
Does anyone know if the Obama's have any plans for Thanksgiving ? I would love to see them at Miriam's Kitchen again,serving turkey and sweet potato pie. They give so much to the community. I hope it encourages more people to think of others.
I just saw some close up's on Huffington. Wow !!!!!
I love the brown and pink combination and the wide brown belt is making such a statement. Love it. Love her.
Mrs. T: Please tell us about the belt -- HP says she has it in black and brown. It's quite dramatic. Thanks.
Many former first ladies had one platform or theme, such as literacy or environmental beautification. I'm wondering if Michelle's theme is to reach out and improve the lives of children in Washington.
She has visited many schools, also the garden project and now mentoring. This is a great area for her to concentrate on, it's somehow so personalized for her, and lord knows theres a real need for it.
Way to go Michelle, you are such an inspiration!
FELINE FETISH
On Saturday Mrs.O played "Cat Woman" and today she's a 'Snow Leopard"... I'm quite enjoying the season of the cat! The patterns, tones and colors all work well for fall. Once again Mrs. O is showing these girls what real integrity and gratitude is, by launching this mentoring program. We can only guess the tremendous benefits that will come out of this, not to mention a healthy boost of self-esteem!
Mentoring is a great way to reach out to young ladies. I am currently mentoring two college freshmen students. It's an awesome experience so far! I'm lovin' it. More women should get involved and get out of the house and their comfort zones. We must stop criticizing each other. We must educate and empower young girls and young women that they matter. We must encourage them as well as their mothers. Sometimes their mothers are working two and three jobs just trying to survive. Well, we want them to thrive, not just survive! Open your homes and your businesses to these young girls. Volunteer in your communities. We can make a difference in every aspect of their lives. And who knows, it may change us too. Let us be the change that we seek. One love.
The belt has got to go. Enough, already.
I just now watched yesterdays taping of the Oprah show, which was all about fashion trends, and saw this belt featured during one of the segments. The model wearing it was wearing a black sheath dress with this belt in black. It was stunning. I loved the tone on tone look featured on the model, as well as the contrasting look in the outfit that Mrs.O wore.
I sometimes think the still photos don't always do justice to certain outfits. After seeing this belt on the HP closeups od Mrs. O, as well as on a live model, I'm convinced of it. I love this belt!
I love the outfit except for the belt... a bit too 'Gladiator' for my taste. She's so fabulous though that she could wear a paper bag and in the end, it wouldn't matter. Love the mentorship program. What a role model!!
Beautiful outfit for this day. I love the versatility of the cardigan, just by pairing it with different (and both equally lovely) belts. The bow belt for church was pretty, this one is almost a corset, it's really stunning! Makes the cardigan look much fiercer.
Belt haters: go away.
What a belt! Great detailing.
I actually love that belt. It pulls in the whole outfit really nice.
My cable was on the fritz when Oprah's show aired Monday, but I did catch some segments on line. This belt is in the "Day to Night" accessory segment under look #3. I am a lover of this belt and have called Harpo Studios twice to see if there is any info on the designer/manufacturer. Still no reply, so if anyone gets the goods on this, let us know.