***
It was election night when I first laid eyes on her: First Granny-elect Marian Robinson.
After Obama's Grant Park speech, the whole family walked onto the stage to join the newly elected President. While the rest of the world was in solemn observation of America's first black commander-in-chief, I was transfixed by the energy - the light - emanating from this older black woman. She was at once both demure, even chic, and undeniably "real." Think the sass of Tyra Banks, combined with the grit of Miss Jane Pittman. All in the package of a younger, sexier Ruby Dee.
You can see glimpses of her here, starting at 2:30. (Far too much coverage is given here to Joe Biden's 90 year old mother who is, with all due respect, a poor man's version of John McCain's 96 year old mother.)
Who was this woman?! I had to know.
Born Marian Shields in the hardscrabble Woodlawn section of the South Side in 1937, she married at 23 and stayed home to raise her two kids. She tirelessly kept them on the straight and narrow, before seeing them both off to the Ivy League. After Michelle left for Princeton, Marian went to work as a bank secretary, from which she retired last year. She still lives in the house where she raised her kids.
Rightly described as "the linchpin of Barack Obama's presidential campaign," she served as Malia and Sasha's protector-in-chief while Barack and Michelle were on the road. (Even before the campaign began, she rarely let a day pass without visiting her grandkids.) Now she might be moving into the White House, at least part-time. With their granny around, there's little chance that Malia and Sasha would fall prey to the pitfalls that have cursed previous First Kids. (With Marian standing guard, who would even dare to tempt the girls?!)
My favorite part of the post-election 60 Minutes interview with President-elect Obama was his mention of his mother-in-law:
Look out, Rahm Emanuel. You might be the Chief of Staff. But Marian Robinson could end up running the whole White House - unless, of course, Oprah gives her her own daytime series. (Move over, Gayle!)
It is, of course, a perfect scandal that Marian Robinson doesn't have her own wikipedia entry!
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Yes, babe, First Granny should move in to keep a loving eye on her grandchildren.
giftedgirl at 5:24PM on Nov 24th 2008
2. Yum.
I'd love to see multi-generations in The House. Bean just watched both clips w/ me, & she says "Yay", too.
As long as they don't make Marian stay in the walk-out basement apartment w/ indoor-outdoor carpet, I like it.
She'll be a grounding influence, & her gds won't have to get Special Double Secret Permission to visit w/ her.
Sherry
S.L. at 8:10PM on Nov 24th 2008
3. i think opra gets lincoln bedroom ayers,faarrakhan,khailidi,micheal klonsky aunt,sounds like fulhouse to me.
wetoo at 1:36AM on Nov 25th 2008
4. Yes it's a great idea. The girls need a loving person with them when Mom and Dad aren't there, and HIGH PAID FEDERAL Nannies there.
Reil at 8:57PM on Dec 1st 2008
5. Well, I would help her with her stuff. I wouldn't just stand there watching.
JillJG at 4:22PM on Jan 9th 2009
6. So, once again another person riding on the shirttails of the American Taxpayer! Why should we be absorbing the cost of living for Obama's mother-in-law? That's half of the problem with our country and the reason that we are in such poor financial shape! We continue to provide for people who should be working and providing for themselves! We spend millions of dollars fighting battles for countries who despise us; and we leave our veterans,that protected our freedom, to live on the streets and provide them with substandard health care!
We bail out huge financial corporations because they have made poor business decisions, we support people that do not require the support of the taxpayers, we allow government officials to have large expense accounts, company vehicles and company charge cards; while the average American is expected to pay for their own lunches and dinners; buy,maintain and drive their own cars. Hell, we even pay rent to Hillary & Bill Clinton to house the secret service agents that we PAY to protect them! Wake up America!!! If we keep going like this we will soon be no better than the third would countries we have spent billions of dollars to sustain.
It's time for a change!
Lisa Moses at 7:08PM on Jan 9th 2009
7.
Sure, if I had a mother-in-law, she would be welcome in my home anythime. Just as I'm sure my if I had an SO she would welcome my mother, if the need were to arise.
What kind of person would Pres. Obama be if he did not welcome his Mother-in-law ?
mac at 7:58PM on Jan 9th 2009
8. Ummmm, Lisa, doesn't the fact that the grandmother is there actually SAVE taxpayers money, as now nannies do not need to be hired? Just a thought.
Gabrielle at 2:19PM on Jan 10th 2009
9.
Um.... We...Don't... Actually...Have... To...Comment.. On... This... Again....
Do We?
Thank... You...
Sherry -(;o)~
S.L. at 11:03PM on Jan 11th 2009