First Lady Rising

Michelle Obama took on the giants of the food industry last week, as she continued her efforts to eradicate childhood obesity. In speaking to the Grocery Manufacturers Association, she told representatives of some of the leading junk food generators that there “needs to be a serious industry-wide commitment to providing the healthier foods parents are looking for at prices they can afford.''

Good for her. It’s time that someone of prominence assumed the lead in tackling one of the most serious health challenges we face.

And she’s going about it in the right way. Last month she launched “Let’s Move,” a comprehensive approach that addresses the problem at many levels and amasses the support of both public and private agencies.

“Let’s Move” brings to mind the efforts of Lady Bird Johnson, whose name became synonymous with “Keep America Beautiful.” Though Mrs. Johnson’s efforts began as a project to beautify areas around the White House and along the mall, she quickly expanded her mission to include urban renewal and environmental preservation. Her agenda focused on national forests and parks, air pollution regulation, and beautification of highways. The bursts of floral color we see in the spring and summer along many of our interstates derive from Mrs. Johnson’s vision.

Her multi-faceted campaign wasn’t free from controversy, however. When she supported an act to restrict roadside billboard advertising and remove junkyard eyesores from the landscape—concepts now widely endorsed in many communities—she was ridiculed and opposed by strong unions and lobbyists.

Michelle Obama will no doubt encounter similar resistance. But like Mrs. Johnson, she’s tough. And she’s not shying away from the complexity of the challenge before her.

Most of us today wouldn’t dream of throwing trash out our car windows. This wasn’t always the case. Thanks to Mrs. Johnson and her support of “Keep America Beautiful,” none of us wanted to be litter bugs.

Perhaps some day, owing to Michelle Obama’s foresight and leadership, most of us won’t want a super-sized soda or a fat-laden burger either.