When we say there is an art to everything fantastic, naysayers tell us to shut up. Well, we are here again with the same position – that there is an art/creative/storytelling side to the fantastic. This time we are whipping it out of Politics!
Politics, rhetorics, storytelling, and humanities are sisters of the same household. Or how can you remove the ability to listen, drum out and pontificate the emotive from Art. It is from this same household that ‘Speeches’ emerge from and the capacity to write and/or deliver a mind-racking, hope-stirring speech is (you already know what we are going to say) – an art.
Michelle Obama, in the last couple of months, has shown us this art over and over. She has pulled substance from the intensity of her being to deliver some of the most mind-changing speeches the world has ever heard – leading to women all over the world thanking her for her insight and heart.
So, because Speech writing and delivery is an Art. Plus, the fact that Michelle Obama exudes awe and is such an amazing inspiration for us, we decided to put together our favourite speeches delivered by her, in the hopes that you’ll have one place to study the speeches and learn a thing or two for your mission/vision statement.
Michelle Obama’s full speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention
“What I admire most about Hillary is that she never buckles under pressure. She never takes the easy way out. And Hillary Clinton has never quit on anything in her life. And when I think about the kind of president that I want for my girls and all our children, that’s what I want.
I want someone with the proven strength to persevere, someone who knows this job and takes it seriously, someone who understands that the issues a president faces are not black and white and cannot be boiled down to 140 characters.
Because when you have the nuclear codes at your fingertips and the military in your command, you can’t make snap decisions. You can’t have a thin skin or a tendency to lash out. You need to be steady and measured and well-informed.”
Michelle Obama’s Speech in Manchester, New Hampshire
“I thought it would be important to remind these young women how valuable and precious they are. I wanted them to understand that the measure of any society is how it treats its women and girls. And I told them that they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and I told them that they should disregard anyone who demeans or devalues them, and that they should make their voices heard in the world. And I walked away feeling so inspired, just like I’m inspired by all the young people here — and I was so uplifted by these girls. That was Tuesday.”
Michelle Obama’s Speech in Phoenix, Arizona for Hillary Clinton
“But I have been reminded of the importance of hope. Because let me just say this, this is what hope looks like. It’s that belief that we can be better, that we can do better for our kids; that even in our darkest hours, there’s always a brighter day ahead — and if we’re willing to work for it and fight for it, we can make it happen.”
Michelle Obama’s Speech at North Carolina Rally.
“We know the influence our president has on our children. How they turn on the TV and they see the most powerful role model in the world, someone who shows them how to treat others, how to deal with disappointment, whether to tell the truth. They’re taking it all in. And, as Hillary said, when you raise children in the White House, like Barack and Hillary and I have, you are reminded every day of the impact that you have. You start seeing the images of every child in this country in the face of your child.
So when people wonder how Hillary keeps her composure through the overwhelming pressure of not just this campaign, but of her career, or how Barack and I have dealt with the glare of the national spotlight these last eight years, that’s the answer. With every action we take, with every word we utter, we think about the millions of children who are watching us, who hand onto our every word, looking up to us to show them who they can and should be. And that’s why every day we try to be the kind of people, the kind of leaders that your children deserve, whether you agree with our politics or not.”
Michelle Obama Campaign and Speech for Hillary Clinton in Charlotte, North Carolina
“First and foremost, this job is very hard. I have said it again and again — it is the highest-stakes, most 24/7 job you can possibly imagine. The issues that cross a President’s desk are never easy. He doesn’t get the easy questions. The solutions to persistent, systemic challenges are never black and white.
I mean, just think about the crises that Barack has faced just these last eight years. In his first term alone, Barack had to rescue our economy from the worst crisis since the Great Depression. He had to make the call to take out Osama bin Laden. (Applause.) He’s had to respond to devastating natural disasters like Hurricane Sandy and so much more.”
And, just in case you are wondering if Michelle Obama has a secret source for all this magnificence you are seeing, the answer is yes – her Chief Speech writer, Sarah Hurwitz (yay girl power). So, if you are thinking about Politics or Badass-talk writing, you should study the work of these two women and we are sure you’ll be on your way to acquiring this super-power!
