First lady diplomacy: 'soft power' at its finest

Michelle Obama: The most independent "first lady"

Kermit the Frog and first lady Michelle Obama introduce a showing of the new movie Muppets Most Wanted for children of US military families at the White House in Washington March 12, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

Fashionable first ladies: Peng Liyuan and Michelle Obama

On April 13, 2010, US first lady Michelle Obama headed to Mexico City for a three-day trip. This was the first time she had traveled abroad alone as America's first lady. Without her husband by her side (who often took most of the attention), Michelle had plenty of opportunity to shine on her own. Her schedule included visiting the president of Mexico, meeting with the First Couple, discussing common interests between Mexico and the US with the Mexican first lady, and giving a speech at the Ibero-American Association of Postgraduate Universities.

The Mexican Ambassador to US at the time said Michelle Obama is a symbol of the American Dream, and that she has let the public know that with diligence and a forward-looking attitude, everyone can realize their dreams.