Michelle Obama is tired of men failing their way to success

Girls can fail too, and that's OK.

michelle obama
(Image credit: Rex)

Girls can fail too, and that's OK.

She might not live in the White House anymore, but that hasn’t stopped Former First Lady Michelle Obama inspiring us on the regular.

In fact, she’s the go-to girl when it comes to pep talks, and this week is no exception.

During the recent United State of Women Summit in LA, Michelle got very real with actress Tracee Ellis Ross, explaining why we need a shake up in the work place - and it could be the most inspiring thing you’ll see today.

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‘I wish that girls could fail as bad as men do and be OK,’ she explained. ’Because let me tell you, watching men fail up - it is frustrating. It’s frustrating to see a lot of men blow it and win. And we hold ourselves to these crazy, crazy standards.’

Going on to call for change, Michelle explained: ‘What I've been telling men is, you can't have it both ways: You can't whisper these magical thoughts in your daughter's ear about who she can be or what she can do….’

She continued: ‘If you're tolerating [inequality at work], that is the workplace that's going to be waiting for your little girl, but you sold her a bill of goods. You told her she could be anything, but then you're not working to make sure that can be actualised. And so men have to understand things don't just work out for your little precious pea.’

Yet another reason to love Michelle Obama!

Jenny Proudfoot
Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. She has worked at Marie Claire UK for seven years, rising from intern to Features Editor and is now the most published Marie Claire writer of all time. She was made a 30 under 30 award-winner last year and named a rising star in journalism by the Professional Publishers Association.