Like Governor Sarah Palin and Dr. Jill Biden, 44-year old Michelle Obama has pursued a fulltime career while raising her two young daughters. After completing her Ivy League education – undergraduate at Princeton University and a law degree from Harvard University – she was working at a prestigious Chicago law firm when she met Barack Obama, who came to work for the firm as a summer associate. After marrying, she continued working, using her legal background, in Chicago political and community activities.

Once her husband began running in the primaries, Michelle combined mothering with appearing on the campaign trail. In her appearances, Michelle has been outspoken in her opinions and beliefs, sometimes making controversial statements, such as “For the first time in my adult life, I am proud of my country because it feels like hope is finally making a comeback.” As the campaign has progressed, she has softened her image from the initial, angry positions she took, portraying herself as the embodiment of the American dream.

Do you feel that, as a woman, you are asked to curb the expression of your own opinions when others perceive them as too harsh? Are you forced, in a sense, to air brush your personality, making it gentler? Is it more important to fulfill the expectations of others or to be your authentic self? All of these questions come to the surface as more and more women move up the career ladder or take on more responsibilities in the family and the world.