Melvinia Shields~ 1844-1938~
@mariashriver: My brother @BobbyShriver shared this with me. We all stand on someone’s shoulder
http://theobamadiary.com/2015/10/05/chat-away-683/
Beautiful~
= new reply since forum marked as read
So emotionally awesome.
Thank you~
Slave.
Michelle Obama, a decedent of slaves. She was a decedent of slaves. She became our First Lady, our Flotus, beloved by many.
Our first couple.
They honor this White House with Dignity and Grace.
Thank you Cha!~
The Vid is 3:45 minutes and worth it if you have the time. Sweet cousins of Melvinia and Michelle..
snip//
Back in 2009, I traced the then-new First Lady's family tree back four or five generations on all branches, but of all the ancestors I uncovered, it was a great-great-great-grandmother named Melvina Shields McGruder who captured my attention. Sadly, this remarkable woman who was born into slavery and lived until 1938 had no tombstone.
Fast forward to 2014. Descendants -- mostly still living in the vicinity of Kingston, Georgia where Melvina spent the last half of her life -- raised funds for and installed an impressive memorial. This video includes not only scenes from this moving ceremony, but also brief interviews with more than a dozen of Melvina's descendants, who also happen to be cousins of Michelle Obama's. While holding a board with their relationship to both Melvina and the First Lady stated, each one shares their thoughts about their notable relatives.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/megan-smolenyak-smolenyak/melvinas-descendants-mich_b_6014356.html
Thank you, she
He was fun, respectful and thoughtful.
(and I'm equally sure should won't mind me calling her Michelle).
done for kids. Healthy eating/exercise!
And, the woman thanking her for being such a good role model. 
Only the best, she~
Thank you so much!
Peace~
We Americans are all dreamers. Even the Pope recently said so! Thanks for posting this, Cha. It's so inspiring, reassuring, encouraging. Ointment for the soul.