With the presidential election so near, I cannot help but recognize one woman who I will truly be sad to see leaving the White House – our beautiful First Lady, Michelle Obama.

After listening to her speak in Virginia, Michelle Obama left me completely and utterly speechless. I honestly cannot imagine having a better woman be the female figure that our country looks up to.

Michelle Obama is a model of sophisticated grace, intelligence, and confidence. She encourages young women everywhere to accept themselves and strive to be independent and strong. Unlike so many before her, she takes an active stance next to her husband and preaches what she believes. She does this not only through her powerful speeches but also through her actions. Our First Lady truly is the best role model for the young women around the country.

She is the epitome of what it means to be an independent and strong female in this male-driven world. She works hard to make a life for herself, she accepts and embraces the body she was given, and encourages the equal treatment of everyone everywhere.

With two (not even just one) Ivy League degrees, Michelle Obama exemplifies the modern educated woman that we should all aspire to be – she did not just plan to get married and settle down while her husband took care of her, but she actively prepared to make a life for herself. As a female studying her way through college, there is nothing more inspiring than to see that our First Lady was in the same position I am in now and worked hard in order to succeed. She had a goal and she achieved it, despite the fact that as a female we are often told we cannot do so. And she did it not only once, but twice.

More than simply going to college, what Michelle Obama has done with her education proves that a degree is not the only thing that makes for success, but it is what your heart does with it. Using her education as a platform to speak about so many issues that she is passionate about, Michelle Obama has inspired the country to make changes. She encourages health and fitness, she is an active campaigner for anti-bullying, and most significantly, she is one of the bravest feminists I have ever witnessed.

As the First Lady of our country, Michelle Obama truly embodies what it means to be just that – a lady. Throughout her career, she has encouraged women around the country to accept ourselves as we are. She actively campaigns for the equal treatment of all genders and not only serves as a role model for her own daughters, but the entire country’s female youth. She inspires girls around the world to follow our passions and she makes us believe that we deserve to be treated as equals.

Personally, Michelle Obama inspires me to work hard and she makes me believe I can achieve whatever I desire to. She is a physical embodiment that proves where hard work and a passionate heart can take you. Honestly, I cannot wait until the day Michelle Obama is the one who runs our country.