Education is the single-most important civil rights issue that we face today.

The beauty of my job is that I get to see more of that America. And that feeds me.

It wasn't so long ago that I was a working mom myself. And I know that sometimes, much as we all hate to admit it, it's just easier to park the kids in front of the TV for a few hours, so we can pay the bills or do the laundry or just have some peace and quiet for a change.

Even if we give parents all the information they need and we improve school meals and build brand new supermarkets on every corner, none of that matters if when families step into a restaurant, they can't make a healthy choice.

I think my mother taught me what not to do. She put us first, always, sometimes to the detriment of herself. She encouraged me not to do that. She'd say being a good mother isn't all about sacrificing; it's really investing and putting yourself higher on your priority list.

Barack didn't pledge riches, only a life that would be interesting. On that promise he delivered.

But we need a medical community that's trained and knowledgeable and working on advancement.