I was always taught that a leader is someone that others choose to follow. For me, that means the leader exhibits qualities that inspire me to want to follow them. My bachelors degree is in US History. For most of our history the wife of the president was just a side note. Two first ladies stand out to me as leaders that I want to follow: Jackie Kennedy and Michele Obama. Jackie O was involved with her husband's presidency, even acting as ambassador to other countries. Her compassion and intelligence was felt by nearly everyone in the country. Michele Obama was a strong, intelligent first lady who much like Jacky O acted as a liaison between foreign dignitaries, and displayed compassion in the White House through helping in soup kitchens and caring for the people who needed it the most.