Introduction

This research examines the theme of women’s empowerment as depicted in Michelle

Obama’s memoir, Becoming (2018). The memoir chronicles Obama’s transformative journey

from her modest upbringing on Chicago’s South Side to her groundbreaking role as the First

Lady of the United States. It presents a compelling narrative of her resilience and adaptability as

she navigates systemic and personal challenges, particularly as a Black woman in predominantly

white and male-dominated spaces. Through her reflections, Obama offers profound insights into

identity, ambition, and leadership, challenging traditional narratives about empowerment.

Becoming emerges as a vital text for understanding how women assert agency amid societal

expectations and structural inequities.

This research aims to explore how Becoming redefines women’s empowerment as a

multifaceted and dynamic process. By drawing on perspectives from scholars such as Angela

McRobbie, Rosalind Gill, Rosi Braidotti, and Kimberlé Crenshaw, it investigates how

empowerment is shaped by intersecting factors like race, gender, and class. The study

emphasizes Obama’s ability to overcome systemic barriers, her capacity for self-reinvention, and

her dedication to creating opportunities for others. These elements of her journey underscore a

broader understanding of leadership and resilience that extends beyond conventional notions of

success.

Central to this analysis is the argument that Becoming is not merely an autobiographical

account but a manifesto for reimagining empowerment in contemporary society. Using

McRobbie’s critique of media influence on individual agency, this research demonstrates how

Obama’s memoir reclaims her identity from reductive stereotypes perpetuated by societal and
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media narratives. Gill’s analysis of the dual pressures women face—to be strong yet relatable—

provides a lens through which to examine Obama’s reflections. Further, Braidotti’s concept of

the “nomadic subject” highlights the adaptability and evolution inherent in Obama’s narrative.

Crenshaw’s framework of intersectionality deepens the analysis by elucidating how Obama’s

experiences reflect the compounded impacts of race, gender, and class on empowerment.

This study extends its focus beyond Obama’s personal journey, exploring the broader

societal implications of her narrative. It delves into the interplay between personal agency and

systemic constraints, illustrating how women, particularly from marginalized communities,

navigate and transform power structures. Obama’s story is presented as a challenge to traditional

leadership models, emphasizing authenticity, relationality, and collective progress.

Ultimately, this research posits that Becoming redefines empowerment as a continuous

and relational process, transcending individual success. By situating Obama’s journey within

wider sociopolitical contexts, it highlights the complexities of modern womanhood, leadership,

and resilience. The findings affirm that Becoming serves as a critical text, offering valuable

insights into the evolving nature of empowerment in contemporary society.

Statement of Problem

Michelle Obama’s Becoming is celebrated for its inspirational narrative and authentic

reflections, yet there remains a significant gap in exploring its deeper implications for

understanding women’s empowerment. Obama’s story transcends the personal, offering a

powerful exploration of how race, gender, and class intersect to shape her journey as a Black

woman navigating spaces of power and influence. Her memoir serves as both an individual
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account of resilience and a broader critique of the societal structures that define and constrain

empowerment for women, particularly those from marginalized communities.

Obama’s narrative reflects themes of agency, adaptability, and relational leadership,

which challenge conventional notions of empowerment as purely individualistic. By portraying

her self-reinvention, perseverance, and advocacy for others, Becoming provides a

multidimensional perspective on what it means to be empowered in a society that often imposes

limiting expectations on women, especially women of color. The text raises critical questions

about how women can assert agency while contending with systemic barriers, redefine success

beyond societal norms, and foster collective progress

Furthermore, Becoming highlights the interplay between systemic inequalities and

personal determination. While Obama’s story emphasizes self-discipline, hard work, and

ambition, it also reveals the limitations of individual achievement in dismantling systemic

barriers. Her journey sheds light on the dual realities of empowerment—balancing personal

victories with the ongoing struggles against institutionalized inequities. By sharing her

vulnerabilities, challenges, and triumphs, Obama invites readers to consider empowerment as a

relational and evolving process rather than a fixed or linear path. This duality—of personal

growth and collective struggle—positions her narrative as a critical lens for examining how

empowerment is experienced and enacted in modern contextsThis research focuses on the

following key questions to address these themes:

How does Michelle Obama’s narrative demonstrate resilience and agency in the face of systemic

barriers such as race, gender, and class?

In what ways does Obama’s portrayal of balancing personal aspirations with societal

expectations offer a redefinition of traditional success?

How does Becoming highlight the relational aspects of empowerment, emphasizing collective

progress alongside individual growth?

What insights does Obama’s memoir provide about navigating shifting identities and roles, as

seen in her transition from working-class roots to global leadership?

How does Obama’s story challenge or align with existing narratives about empowerment,

particularly for women from marginalized communities?

Through the theoretical perspectives of Angela McRobbie, Rosalind Gill, Rosi Braidotti,

and Kimberlé Crenshaw, this study seeks to unpack how Becoming positions itself as a

foundational text for understanding modern empowerment. McRobbie’s critique of

individualistic empowerment resonates with Obama’s balance of personal agency and systemic

awareness. Gill’s analysis of self-surveillance and societal expectations deepens the exploration

of Obama’s reflections on identity and self-transformation. Braidotti’s “nomadic subject”

framework provides a lens to understand Obama’s adaptability and evolving identity, while

Crenshaw’s intersectionality highlights the compounded challenges of race, gender, and class in

shaping empowerment.

Hypothesis

This thesis hypothesizes that Michelle Obama’s Becoming portrays women’s

empowerment as a dynamic and multidimensional process shaped by the interplay of personal

agency, systemic barriers, and relational dynamics. The memoir reflects themes of resilience,
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adaptability, and self-reinvention, showcasing how empowerment is achieved through navigating

societal expectations and redefining traditional roles. By examining Becoming through the lenses

of post-feminism and intersectionality, this study argues that Obama’s narrative highlights the

interconnected influences of race, gender, and class, illustrating how these forces shape the lived

experiences of women, particularly women of color. At its core, the memoir positions

empowerment not merely as an individual triumph but as a relational journey that emphasizes

authenticity, collective progress, and community advocacy. Obama’s reflections on balancing

public and private roles, overcoming systemic inequities, and fostering opportunities for others

reveal empowerment as a process deeply embedded in both personal growth and social

transformation. Her narrative challenges dominant paradigms by integrating the complexities of

intersectional identity with broader critiques of structural inequities, offering a profound

reimagining of modern womanhood and leadership that underscores the necessity of resilience,

adaptability, and collaboration in achieving meaningful empowerment.

Literature Review

Michelle Obama’s Becoming (2018) is a pivotal work that blends personal narrative with

sociopolitical critique, offering an insightful exploration of identity, empowerment, and

leadership. As a Black woman navigating both public and private spheres, Obama uses her

memoir not only to recount her life but also to challenge systemic barriers and stereotypes

imposed on women, particularly women of color. The memoir’s significance lies in its ability to

weave her individual experiences into broader reflections on societal issues, making it a key text

for analyzing post-feminist discourse and intersectional feminism Savhira et al. (2022) argue that

Obama’s memoir exemplifies the complex interplay between personal narrative and identity

construction. They state:

"Michelle Obama’s Becoming exemplifies the interplay of personal narrative and identity

construction within public discourse. Through detailed recounting of her childhood,

education, career, and role as First Lady, Obama actively constructs a multi-dimensional

identity that challenges stereotypical representations of women, particularly Black

women in leadership roles. The …. engages with broader sociocultural narratives,

positioning Obama as a symbol of resilience, agency, and empowerment. By using a

discourse-historical approach, we see how Obama reclaims her story in a media

landscape often eager to reduce her to a singular stereotype.” (Savhira et al., 2022, p. 91).

This assertion highlights Obama’s strategic use of narrative as a form of resistance. By

recounting her journey in her own words, Obama deliberately resists the reductive stereotypes

perpetuated by societal and media narratives. She constructs her identity with complexity,

refusing to conform to the archetypes often imposed on Black women in leadership. Her memoir

becomes an act of reclamation, offering a multi-dimensional portrayal that emphasizes resilience,

agency, and the power of self-definition.

By openly addressing moments of vulnerability and strength, Obama engages readers in a

broader conversation about identity and systemic inequities. Her reflections on self-doubt,

impostor syndrome, and public scrutiny reveal the challenges of navigating spaces that often

exclude or marginalize women of color. Through these narratives, Becoming situates individual

empowerment within the context of larger sociopolitical struggles, aligning with post-feminist

ideals of agency and self-reinvention. Obama’s work is not just a memoir but a profound critique

of societal expectations, challenging traditional frameworks of identity and leadership.

The narrative approach employed in Michelle Obama’s Becoming aligns with the

sensibilities of post-feminist theory, particularly as articulated by Rosalind Gill (2007). Post-

feminism celebrates the empowered and self-aware individual who navigates systemic

inequalities through resilience and agency. However, as Gill notes, this culture imposes a double

bind on women, especially those in public life. Women are expected to excel in their

professional and personal lives while maintaining an image of vulnerability and relatability. Gill

captures this tension:

"Postfeminist culture celebrates the empowered, self-aware woman who navigates

systemic inequalities with resilience. However, it also imposes a double bind: women

must excel while embodying ideals of vulnerability and relatability. This dual expectation

complicates the process of empowerment, particularly for women of color, whose

intersectional identities amplify these pressures.” (Gill, 2007, p. 153).

In Becoming, Michelle Obama navigates this dual expectation with remarkable honesty,

illustrating the complex intersection of systemic pressures and personal agency. As a First Lady,

a mother, and a professional, she was continually subjected to societal scrutiny. While she

presents herself as a resilient figure—embodying strength, determination, and self-determination

—her candid reflections reveal the emotional and psychological toll of meeting these

expectations. Obama’s narrative frequently grapples with the pressure to perform perfection, a

theme she revisits in her discussions of impostor syndrome, the challenges of balancing

motherhood with public life, and the constant public scrutiny she faced.

This duality in her narrative makes Becoming a critical text for examining post-feminist

identity construction. While Obama portrays herself as empowered and self-reliant, she does not

shy away from exposing the vulnerabilities and struggles that accompany her achievements. Her

openness about self-doubt and systemic challenges makes her relatable to readers while

simultaneously positioning her as an aspirational figure. In this way, Obama reflects the core
 Limbhu 8

tension of post-feminist sensibilities: the coexistence of empowerment and the persistent societal

pressures to conform to idealized standards of success and relatability.

The concept of intersectionality, as introduced by Kimberlé Crenshaw (1991), further

deepens the analysis of Becoming. Crenshaw’s work underscores the interconnectedness of

social categorizations such as race, gender, and class, and how these intersect to create

compounded forms of disadvantage for women of color. Crenshaw defines intersectionality as

follows: "Intersectionality highlights the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as

race, gender, and class, which create overlapping systems of disadvantage. For women of color,

these intersections amplify the barriers to empowerment, necessitating a multidimensional

approach to understanding their experiences.” (Crenshaw, 1991, p. 1245).

Michelle Obama’s narrative deeply reflects these intersecting identities. Her experiences

as a Black woman navigating predominantly white spaces are central to her memoir. She

recounts moments of feeling hyper-visible and invisible at the same time—a phenomenon that is

emblematic of intersectional experiences. For instance, Obama discusses the scrutiny she faced

as the First Lady, a role steeped in traditional expectations of femininity and whiteness. She

writes candidly about being labeled an “angry Black woman,” a stereotype that simultaneously

racializes and genderizes her public image. These labels not only diminished her individuality

but also highlighted the systemic challenges faced by women of color in public roles.

Obama’s reflections on these experiences reveal the weight of societal scrutiny she

endured, but they also highlight her resilience. By reclaiming her narrative in Becoming, she

challenges these reductive stereotypes and offers an alternative vision of what leadership and

empowerment look like for Black women. Her narrative becomes a powerful example of

intersectionality in action, illustrating how race, gender, and class converge to shape her identity
 Limbhu 9

and the societal perceptions of her role. Through her candid storytelling, Obama does more than

recount her life; she engages in a broader sociopolitical critique, illuminating the structural

inequalities that continue to affect women of color.

One of the most striking moments in Becoming is Michelle Obama’s reflection on the label of

“angry Black woman,” a stereotype often weaponized against Black women in public life. She

writes:

"I’ve been held up as the most powerful woman in the world and taken down as an 'angry

Black woman.' I’ve wanted to ask my detractors which part of that phrase matters to them

the most—is it 'angry,' or 'Black,' or 'woman'? I’ve smiled for photos with people who

call my husband horrible names on national television, but I've also felt the truth of being

the only Black person in the room.” (Obama, 2018, p. 307).

This passage captures the dual burden of representation and resilience that Obama carried

throughout her time as First Lady and beyond. As a public figure, she was both celebrated for her

achievements and critiqued through a lens of racial and gender bias. The label “angry Black

woman” reduced her to a stereotype, erasing her individuality while amplifying societal

prejudices. The phrase itself reflects the intersecting oppressions of race, gender, and class,

encapsulating how systemic inequalities shape public perceptions of women of color. Obama’s

narrative does more than recount these experiences—it actively confronts them, reframing such

moments as evidence of her strength and ability to rise above reductive labels.

This duality of admiration and prejudice is further explored by Badas et al. (2019), who

examine how public opinion surrounding Michelle Obama as First Lady reflects the complexities

of race and gender in American political culture. They note:

"Michelle Obama’s public role was both celebrated and critiqued, reflecting the tension

between race and gender in American political culture. While she was lauded as a role

model for women, her identity as a Black woman subjected her to unique forms of

scrutiny and bias. Her ability to navigate these challenges with grace and determination

elevated her to a position of influence, extending beyond the traditional boundaries of a

First Lady’s role. Obama’s advocacy for education, healthy living, and community

engagement exemplified how women in public roles can redefine leadership to include

empathy, relatability, and authenticity.” (Badas et al., 2019, p. 435).

This analysis highlights the dual challenges faced by Obama and other women of color in

leadership positions. While her accomplishments were widely acknowledged, they were often

framed within a narrow context that emphasized her racial and gendered identity. As Badas et al.

explain, Obama’s ability to navigate these challenges elevated her influence and redefined the

role of First Lady in unprecedented ways. She expanded its scope to include advocacy for social

issues such as education and public health while modeling a leadership style that prioritized

empathy and community engagement.

Through her narrative in Becoming, Obama offers more than a personal account—she

engages in a broader critique of societal norms and expectations. Her ability to balance

authenticity with relatability underscores her reimagined vision of leadership, one rooted in

service and inclusion. This redefinition challenges traditional frameworks of leadership that have

historically excluded women of color, showcasing a model that values both personal resilience

and communal uplift.

Obama’s reflection on being the “only Black person in the room” further underscores the

isolation and hypervisibility that often accompany such roles. Her experiences reveal the
 Limbhu 11

emotional and psychological labor required to navigate spaces that were not designed to include

her, illustrating how race and gender intersect to amplify the burdens of representation. Yet, by

reclaiming her story in Becoming, she transforms these challenges into a source of

empowerment. Her memoir becomes a testament to her strength and a call to action for others to

challenge societal norms that marginalize and constrain women of color.

Cunningham et al. (2017) offer valuable insights into Michelle Obama’s redefinition of

leadership, highlighting her emphasis on empathy and relatability as core components of her

rhetorical strategy. They argue that Obama uses personal narrative to bridge the gap between

individual experiences and broader cultural critiques, creating a deeply resonant and inclusive

model of leadership. They note: "Michelle Obama redefined leadership by centering empathy

and relatability. Her storytelling bridges personal experience with broader cultural critiques,

creating a narrative that resonates across diverse audiences. Becoming continues this legacy,

offering a blueprint for inclusive leadership rooted in vulnerability and strength.” (Cunningham

et al., 2017, p. 217). This analysis underscores the transformative power of Obama’s narrative,

which leverages her lived experiences to challenge traditional notions of leadership. Rather than

relying on positional authority, Obama emphasizes connection, authenticity, and the importance

of shared human experience. This model of leadership is particularly significant in the context of

Becoming, where her reflections on her life journey reveal a deep commitment to empowering

others and fostering inclusive communities.

Obama’s own reflections on leadership in Becoming align closely with Cunningham’s analysis.

She writes: "Leadership, I’ve come to understand, is about more than just holding a position of

power. It’s about using your voice to inspire, to advocate, and to uplift. It’s about creating spaces

where others feel seen and heard, where they can dream bigger and do better. For me, leadership
 Limbhu 12

has always been about service—about leaving the world better than you found it.” (Obama,

2018, p. 376). This statement encapsulates the essence of her leadership philosophy, which

integrates personal resilience with a commitment to collective well-being. By emphasizing

service and relationality, Obama redefines leadership as an act of connection and empowerment

rather than mere authority. Her vision challenges hierarchical and exclusionary frameworks,

offering instead a model rooted in collaboration and shared purpose.

Through her narrative, Obama positions leadership as a transformative force that is

inherently inclusive. Her ability to connect with diverse audiences—drawing on her experiences

as a mother, a professional, and a Black woman navigating predominantly white spaces—

enhances the accessibility of her message. This inclusivity is evident in her advocacy for

education, health equity, and community uplift, initiatives that prioritize the needs of

marginalized groups while inspiring broader societal change.

In Becoming, Obama’s reflections on leadership are inseparable from her personal story.

Her experiences of overcoming systemic barriers, navigating public scrutiny, and balancing

multiple roles inform her understanding of what it means to lead. Her emphasis on creating

spaces where others feel "seen and heard" underscores the relational nature of her approach,

highlighting the importance of empathy and authenticity in fostering trust and collaboration. This

perspective resonates with contemporary feminist critiques of traditional leadership models,

which often prioritize individual achievement over collective progress.

Moreover, Obama’s vision of leadership challenges the gendered and racialized

expectations often imposed on women, particularly women of color. By centering vulnerability

as a source of strength, she subverts the stereotype of the “strong Black woman” that denies

emotional complexity and nuance. Her narrative in Becoming reclaims this complexity,
 Limbhu 13

demonstrating that true leadership is not about perfection but about purpose, connection, and

impact.

Becoming serves as a cornerstone text for this dissertation, providing a multidimensional

perspective on women’s empowerment that integrates personal, systemic, and relational

elements. Obama’s narrative offers invaluable insights into the complexities of empowerment,

making it an essential reference for analyzing the interplay of agency, intersectionality, and

leadership in the broader context of women’s experiences. This alignment ensures that her

memoir is not only relevant but central to the theoretical and practical objectives of my research.

Michelle Obama’s Becoming exemplifies the central ideas of this thesis by portraying

empowerment as a continuous and multifaceted process. Obama’s candid reflection, “Am I good

enough? Yes, I am,” encapsulates the internal struggle many women face when asserting their

place in spaces traditionally dominated by others (Obama, 2018, p. 103). Her narrative highlights

that empowerment is not an endpoint but a journey of overcoming societal expectations and self-

doubt. This perspective aligns with the thesis’s focus on how women assert agency and navigate

systemic barriers, particularly when societal narratives attempt to diminish their individuality and

achievements.

Furthermore, Obama’s vision of leadership as an act of service directly supports the

thesis’s emphasis on relational empowerment. She writes, “Leadership, I’ve come to understand,

is about more than just holding a position of power. It’s about using your voice to inspire, to

advocate, and to uplift.” (Obama, 2018, p. 376). This redefinition of leadership underscores the

collective impact of individual empowerment, illustrating how personal growth can create

opportunities for others. Her approach serves as a framework for analyzing how empowered

women can foster progress within their communities, making Becoming a vital text for
 Limbhu 14

understanding empowerment in its broader societal context.

Objective

This research examines the depiction of women’s empowerment in Becoming, focusing

on Michelle Obama’s journey as a dynamic process shaped by personal agency, systemic

barriers, and relational dynamics. It explores her experiences as a Black woman in

predominantly white, male-dominated spaces and investigates her redefinition of leadership

through resilience, rationality, and collective progress. The study also delves into how post-

feminist ideals like self-reinvention and balancing societal expectations with individual

aspirations are reflected in her narrative. By addressing themes of vulnerability, adaptability, and

authenticity, the research highlights how Obama’s story challenges conventional leadership

models. Situating her memoir within broader sociopolitical contexts, the study underscores

Becoming as a critical text that reframes narratives of empowerment and critiques systemic

barriers for marginalized communities.

Methodology

This study will use textual analysis to explore how Becoming portrays women’s

empowerment as a multidimensional process shaped by personal agency, systemic barriers, and

relational dynamics. The analysis will apply post-feminist and intersectional feminist

frameworks, drawing on Angela McRobbie’s critique of individual agency, Kimberlé

Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality, and Rosalind Gill’s exploration of societal expectations.

McRobbie’s critique will examine how Obama balances personal reinvention with systemic

constraints, while Crenshaw’s intersectionality will unpack the compounded impacts of race,

gender, and class. The research will demonstrate how Becoming reframes empowerment as a
 Limbhu 15

process rooted in resilience, authenticity, and collective progress, aligning with the study’s focus

on challenging conventional frameworks of leadership and success.

Conclusion

In Becoming, Michelle Obama offers a profound narrative that redefines women’s

empowerment as a multifaceted journey, intricately shaped by the interplay of personal agency,

systemic barriers, and collective progress. Her reflections on navigating systemic challenges,

particularly as a Black woman in predominantly white and male-dominated spaces, emphasize

the significance of intersectionality in understanding modern empowerment. By blending

vulnerability with resilience and embracing self-reinvention, Obama presents an authentic and

relatable portrait of leadership that challenges traditional paradigms. The memoir’s integration of

post-feminist ideals highlights the duality of empowerment, balancing societal expectations with

personal growth, while fostering opportunities for others. Through her candid discussions of

race, gender, and class, Obama reclaims her narrative from reductive stereotypes and reframes

leadership as a relational and inclusive process. Becoming emerges not only as an

autobiographical account but also as a manifesto for broader social change, inviting readers to

critically engage with issues of identity, equity, and empowerment.

Ultimately, Becoming transcends its role as a personal memoir, serving as a vital text for

understanding the complexities of modern womanhood and leadership. Obama’s story

underscores the necessity of resilience, adaptability, and collaboration in redefining success,

offering a blueprint for empowerment that is both individual and collective in scope.
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Annotated Citation

Braidotti, R. (1994). Nomadic Subjects: Embodiment and Sexual Difference in Contemporary

Feminist Theory. Columbia University Press.

 Braidotti’s concept of the "nomadic subject" ties into Obama’s narrative as she

continuously adapts and redefines herself through various phases of her life, from student

to First Lady.

Butler, J. (1990). Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. Routledge.

 Butler’s ideas on gender performativity explain how Obama reshapes traditional gender

roles through her evolving identity as First Lady and beyond.

Crenshaw, K. (1991). Mapping the margins: Intersectionality, identity politics, and violence

against women of color. Stanford Law Review, 43(6), 1241-1299.

https://doi.org/10.2307/1229039

 Crenshaw’s intersectionality theory is essential to understanding how Obama navigates

the compounded challenges of race, gender, and class in her path to empowerment.

Gill, R. (2007). Postfeminist media culture: Elements of a sensibility. European Journal of

Cultural Studies, 10(2), 147-166. https://doi.org/10.1177/1367549407075898

 Gill’s work discusses the pressures women face in balancing vulnerability with strength,

directly relevant to Obama’s reflections on public scrutiny and personal aspirations in

Becoming.

McRobbie, A. (2009). The Aftermath of Feminism: Gender, Culture, and Social Change. SAGE

Publications.
 Limbhu 17

 McRobbie critiques the commercialization of feminism and highlights individual

empowerment and personal agency, which aligns with Obama’s journey of self-

reinvention and public success.

Obama, M. (2018). Becoming. Crown Publishing.

 This is the primary source for the research, detailing Michelle Obama’s personal

narrative of empowerment, resilience, and self-reinvention.

Whelehan, I. (2000). Overloaded: Popular Culture and the Future of Feminism. Palgrave

Macmillan.

 Whelehan critiques post-feminism's focus on consumerism and individual success,

relevant to Obama’s journey and the societal pressures that complicate women’s

empowerment.