Dear First Lady Michelle Obama,

It has been a pleasure these past eight years having you as a strong female influence and as the First Lady of the United States. You have taught millions of young girls, adolescents, and women from around the world that our opinion matters. Our opinion is equal to a man's and we have every right to express that opinion. You have taught us that when "they go low, we go high". You have taught us that no matter what our backgrounds, our ethnicity, our race, or our circumstances are, we can achieve whatever we work hard for. You have brought grace, eloquence, kindness, and strength wherever you have gone and spread that through your speeches and appearances. You have taught us that before we dwell on someone's appearance we must look inward to highlight their more important traits like intelligence, diligence, and strength.

Thank you for teaching us that it's not about our looks but how we carry ourselves; to be confident in who we are and to not be afraid to let our intelligence shine. We are all intelligent and brave women, who shouldn't be afraid to broadcast that. Thank you for being a strong female influencer that I and others can look up to. It is truly a blessing that we were able to have you and President Obama run our country because so much love has stemmed in the eight years that you were in office. Your ability to give the most powerful and emotional speeches is a gift, and the messages within them make not just women but men feel that they can do something if they want something changed. You said it best that "young women shouldn't be afraid", and because of you I am not afraid. I am not afraid to give my opinion to people, no matter what happens. You have given me and so many others the strength to stand up for what we believe in.

Thank you for teaching millions of women that we can be independent. We don't need a man or anyone else defining who we are as an individual; we are our own person and we are secure. You have been an inspiration to every age, young girls, young women like myself, and so on. My mother has looked up to you for many years now, proud that someone of your intelligence and tenacity has helped lead. (I know you don't want to run for president but you'd be such an amazing leader), but I know that you will lead the country in other ways when you leave.

Thank you for teaching everyone that you're just like everyone else, hard-working but can also joke around and have a good time. Thank you for being the woman you are and casting your kindness and love over this country and even the whole world. We are truly going to miss you.