Marian Robinson has been content to play a largely behind-the-scenes role in the Obama White House.
Until now anyway.
The mother of First Lady Michelle Obama resides in the White House, but her duties have mostly consisted of pitching in to help raise her two young grand-daughters, Sasha and Malia, as their parents, President Barack Obama and her daughter, look after the nation.
However, The First Grandmother has taken a rare step into the spotlight with an op-ed she wrote for the latest edition of Essence magazine, in which she expresses her support for her son-in-law’s re-election as president.
The text of her piece reads in part:
“I admire how hard Barack works. And I know that he does it because he wants to make sure that this country is still a place where you can make it if you try. He wants to make sure that a college education is affordable and attainable so that all parents can encourage their kids to reach for it, just like [her late husband] Fraser and I did. He wants to make sure that moms and dads can provide for their families, and folks my age can retire with dignity and security. And he wants every child to believe that they can achieve their dreams, no matter where they come from, what they look like or how much money their parents make. That’s what makes him work so hard. I’ve seen it from him and I’ve heard it from him. And that’s why I’ll be voting for him in November, and I hope you do, too.”
Mrs. Obama has publicly discussed in the past how special it is having three generations of family living in the White House and raising her two daughters there.
She paid tribute to her mother at a Mother’s Day tea at the White House last May.
“There’s no way that I could ever fully measure all that my own mommy has done for me,” the First Lady told more than 100 guests seated at round tables in the State Dining Room as she gestured toward her mother, seated at the head table.
“This woman who tries to take absolutely no credit for who I am, for some reason. She is my rock,” Mrs. Obama said.
The First Lady has credited her mother for pushing her to be the best woman, mother and professional she can be and for always being there for her.
