Michelle Obama, wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, visited Madison Monday and spoke to voters about the important role of women in the election.
She and Barack made several stops in Wisconsin Monday to encourage activism in the election among women at the grassroots level.
Michelle Obama said the way for women and their communities to create change is to work on electing Barack as president.
We have within our reach an opportunity to rebuild our world at some level '¦ the first thing we must do is get Barack to the White House,"" Obama said, adding, ""While we love the fellas, women can get it done.""
Obama also drew attention to the role of young people, calling them ""the backbone of the movement for change.""
In the remainder of her speech, Obama endorsed her husband's campaign, saying she believes he can relate to the needs of the middle class, contrary to his competitor, Republican presidential cadidate John McCain.
""The issues that are at stake in this election aren't just political issues, they're personal, and I know Barack gets it because he's been there,"" Obama said.
Other speakers at the rally included Mayor Dave Cieslewicz, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis. and UW-Madison senior Vickie Pietrus.
Each speaker spoke about the potential difference women could make in the November election. All speakers said the difference may be great and begins simply with individual voter registration and discussing the election with neighbors.
Cieslewicz said U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., played an important role in election.
""It was Hillary Clinton who stepped to the microphone [at the Democratic National Convention] and very graciously reunited our party behind Barack Obama,"" Cieslewicz said.
Pietrus, who works for the Obama campaign registering voters, knocking on doors and hosting events, introduced Michelle as ""a mentor for young people.""
""I'm inspired by her sincere interest in supporting women like me, who are working hard against the odds to achieve their dreams,"" Pietrus said.
