In his farewell address to the nation, President Obama turned to thank First Lady Michelle, his "rock and love" over the years, saying, "You took on a role you didn’t ask for and made it your own with grace and grit and style and good humor. You made the White House a place that belongs to everybody. And a new generation sets its sights higher because it has you as a role model. You’ve made me proud. You’ve made the country proud."

On the eve of her departure from the White House, our 44th First Lady has never been more inspiring, having redefined her historically significant supporting role to emerge as one of the most powerful voices on the political stage, and a stunning example of strength and poise under harsh scrutiny with a remarkable ability to appeal to our better nature.

In the essay collection The Meaning of Michelle, Veronica Chambers, author of the acclaimed memoir Mama’s Girl and co-author of the bestsellers Yes, Chef with Marcus Samuelsson and Everybody’s Got Something with Robin Roberts, asks some of her contemporaries in literature and the arts to consider Mrs. Obama’s legacy and ponder what her post-FLOTUS life might include.

Those of us who love Michelle Obama—and we are legion—have high hopes that she will follow in the footsteps of every First Lady since Betty Ford at least long enough to publish a memoir.

And, naturally, to swing by the Free Library for an amazing Author Event.

Watch Michelle Obama's last speech as First Lady of the United States at the 2017 School Counselor of the Year event, a tradition she began in 2015.

Veronica Chambers will be joined by contributors Damon Young, editor of the digital magazine VSB (Very Smart Brothas), novelist and memoirist Benilde Little, mezzo-soprano Alicia Hall Moran, and guitarist Thomas Flippin. January 17, 2017 at 7:30 PM, Parkway Central Library, FREE.