Michelle Obama Covers 'Essence' October 2011

Michelle Obama poses on the cover of Essence‘s October issue.

Here’s what the 47-year-old First Lady had to share with the mag:

On her emotional trip to Africa: “One of the most beautiful aspects of [it] was the fact that there were three generations of us there. It was me, my two little girls [Sasha and Malia] and my mom [Marian].”

On her message to young women: “My story to young people around this country and around the world is, don’t look at me as the First Lady first; look at me as Michelle Obama, a girl who grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Because I was there, and this is attainable.”

On the “big , bright light” of her power as First Lady: “What I try to do is … stand in front of things that are more important than me, and then that light not only shines on me but on everything around me.”

For more on Michelle, visit Essence.com!