First Lady Michelle Obama: Celebrating Black Women in American Culture and History
posted on the WH blog on February 10, 2012 at 07:00 AM EST: http://m.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/02/09/celebrating-black-women-american-culture-and-history
Last week, President Obama signed a proclamation, declaring February National African American History Month. This year's theme, "Black Women in American Culture and History," specifically recognizes the numerous, unique contributions that African-American women have made to the advancement of the Nation.
Today, the White House released a video message from the First Lady in honor of African-American History Month. In the video, the First Lady said, “You don’t have to be in a history book to make a contribution to our country.”
For additional information and updates on how President Obama and the Administration is celebrating African American History Month please visit www.whitehouse.gov/africanamericans.
transcript of the First Lady's message:
Hello everyone. It’s a pleasure to be with you as we celebrate African American History Month. This is a time when we honor the rich legacy of African Americans throughout our nation’s history, and this year, our national theme focuses on the unique contributions of African-American women.
They’re heroes like Sojourner Truth … Harriet Tubman … Dorothy Height … Rosa Parks … Maya Angelou. They’re women who fought against slavery … stood up for women’s suffrage … and marched in the streets for our civil rights. They’ve broken boundaries … stirred our souls … and opened our hearts.
But we all know that you don’t have to be in a history book to make a contribution to our country. So we’re also celebrating the women we call mom or grandma. We’re celebrating our aunts … our best friends … all those women who live each da with a spirit that is uniquely their own, and who continue to write our country’s story every single day.
So this month, as we recall all those whose shoulders we stand upon, let’s recommit to living up to their example. Let’s honor them by reinvesting in those around us. And let’s pledge to continue their story by contributing our own gifts for the good of our families, our communities, and our country.
related:
Mrs. Gilmore's Defining Black History
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1187426
= new reply since forum marked as read
More power to the FLOTUS. 
and everyone's done with BHM?
Sorry to sound confused, but what does that stand for. 
I believe.
K&R and appreciate seeing Michelle out there in the spotlight right now!!
African American History Month 2012!
Gotta get caught up on the abbreviations.
P.S. I too enjoy her being out there. Loved the segment Michelle did with Jimmy Fallon.
For the record, I'm white. But as an observation, and reading statistics and articles over the years reporting on income, health care accessibility, etc., I run across this group over and over, and I've noticed how they have been basically disregarded in years past. Especially if they're older or overweight (yes, black women have a higher % of members who are obese, compared with other races and the male gender).
My best friend is middle aged, black, and overweight. No, it's not that "I have friends who are...." thing. It's a fact that my best friend happens to be part of that group. She is a good employee, smart, educated, friendly, funny, has common sense (she's the first one I ask for advice)...and yet, I think she has been not held in high regard by past employers in part because of the group of which she happens to be a member. We've walked into places, like a play, where I've noticed that every single person is white, except her. People would actually turn around and look at her ("What are YOU doing here?"
. It's amazing she has the wonderful attitude she does. I don't know if I would, but then, what's the alternative.
Anyway, there is no doubt in my mind that a black woman has to do an exceptional job at anything to get kudos, whereas those of another group would not have to excel as much to get those kudos.
