Michelle Obama Apple WWDC Speech 2017

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Apple brought some major star power to its Worldwide Developers Conference this year. This morning, Michelle Obama joined Lisa Jackson, Apple’s Vice President of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives at the industry event. She spoke to developers about the challenges our country is currently facing — and how creators and the next generation are responsible for finding the solutions that will better the world.

Press was not allowed for the closed-door chat, but thankfully, the lucky developers who did make it in were avid tweeters. In addition to offering insights on her travels during her time as first lady, and recalling her favorite memories from her Let’s Move! Initiative (including the fact that at one event, Obama was nervous that Shaquille O’Neal might step on a child), the former First Lady also spoke about the steps everyone can and should take to enact change.

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Below, some Twitter highlights from Obama’s question and answer session — and a few reminders that her fantastic sense of humor is intact.

One of Obama's messages to the WWDC crowd was that if developers are merely creating apps and services with money in mind, they could be missing the big picture.

“Think about your higher purpose. We are at a time in this country where we need problem-solvers who are committed.” - @MichelleObama #WWDC
— Ellen Shapiro (@designatednerd) June 6, 2017

She reminded developers that going higher doesn’t always mean you need to go bigger.

“Sometimes the most powerful things you can do are at a small and local level.” - @MichelleObama #WWDC
— Ellen Shapiro (@designatednerd) June 6, 2017

Obama emphasized the fact that everyone plays a role in the future of the country — not only the people who are in power. Therefore, take responsibility for making change no matter who you are or what your job is.

"When people ask me what my husband is doing about something, I ask them what *their* husband is doing about that." Michelle Obama. #WWDC pic.twitter.com/ETAIQz2YFh
— jackwilliambell (@jackwilliambell) June 6, 2017

“If being the President and First Lady changed everything, everything would have been changed by now.” - @MichelleObama #WWDC
— Ellen Shapiro (@designatednerd) June 6, 2017

You don't have to be famous to be a role model - Michelle Obama at #wwdc
— Leonard Li (@lenli) June 6, 2017

Obama's advice for overcoming fear is to keep bigger goals in mind, while acknowledging that everyone encounters setbacks and needs help to get to where they’re going.

“If someone is up here saying they got here on their own, they’re lying.” PREACH, @MichelleObama. #WWDC
— Ellen Shapiro (@designatednerd) June 6, 2017

«Do not let fear consume you. Determine higher purposes.» @MichelleObama at #WWDC17. #WWDC @Apple pic.twitter.com/c7veRHMmh2
— Sanaa Squalli (@sanaasqualli) June 6, 2017

“Good change - sometimes you take a couple of steps back. But you keep marching.” - @MichelleObama #WWDC
— Ellen Shapiro (@designatednerd) June 6, 2017

Her message to the boys of tech’s boy’s club? Be prepared to greet more women.

.@MichelleObama on diversity at WWDC: fellas, are you ready for different voices at the table? you gotta want to, make room at the table
❤️
— charlie at WWDC (@charliejacobson) June 6, 2017

And finally, Obama offered some humorous anecdotes about her much-admired style.

“If you wanna know what I was thinking every state dinner it was, “do not fall. Girl, do not fall”.” – @MichelleObama #wwdc
— anat @ wwdc (@anat_gilboa) June 6, 2017

“People take pictures of the bracelet, the shoes I wear, they never commented that for 8 years he wore that same tux.” -@MichelleObama #wwdc
— Ellen Shapiro (@designatednerd) June 6, 2017

Want to catch up on the rest of the news from Apple's big event? Check out all the changes that will be coming to your iPhone this fall, as well as Apple's sleek new smart speaker, HomePod.

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