Michelle Obama to Speak at Delaware State

Michelle Obama, wife of presidential hopeful Barack Obama, will represent her husband and speak at Delaware State University on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 31 in the Education and Humanities Theatre on campus.The event is open to the public. The doors to the Education and Humanities Theatre will be opened at 2:30 p.m. (a half hour later then the previously announced time).

A native of Chicago, Ill., Mrs. Obama has established herself as a capable campaigner on behalf of her husband Barack Obama, who she has been married to since 1992 - a union that has produced two daughters, Malia 9, and Sasha 6.

Following her 1988 graduate of Harvard Law School, Mrs. Obama spent three years in corporate law specializing in marketing and intellectual property for the Chicago-based firm of Sidley and Austin (during which time she met her husband). She then moved on to public service as an assistant to the mayor of Chicago and later as the assistant commissioner of planning development for the city.

In 1993 she became the founding executive director of Public Allies - Chicago, a leadership training program that received AmeriCorps National Service funding and helped young adults develop skills for future careers in the public sector.

Mrs. Obama moved on to higher education in 1996, where at University of Chicago she first served as the associate dean of student services, where she developed the University’s first community service program. She also served as executive director of community and external affairs until 2005, when she was appointed vice president of community and external affairs at the University of Chicago Medical Center. She also managed the business diversity program. Michelle has fostered the University of Chicago’s relationship with the surrounding community and developed the diversity program, making them both integral parts of the Medical Center’s mission.