It's not uncommon for those of us in Brooklyn, Atlanta and Los Angeles to get inspired by Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama. Afterall, she is the epitome of the American Dream. We all love a good "rags to riches" story, don't we? A minority from humble beginnings who graduates from not one but two Ivy League institutions, becomes a successful attorney, marries an equally ambitious fellow, has two adorable children and doesn't stop with the white picket fence and two-car garage—yet makes history as the first Black First Lady of the United States of America. No surprise that she's inspired countless folks from coast to coast. But could that same influence be felt outside the U.S. borders?

In a word...yes.

During President Obama's recent trip abroad, he brought the First Family along. Mrs. Obama received a warm welcome last April when she traveled with her husband to London and Paris. During last week's visit, the First Family trekked to Russia, Italy and Ghana. The reaction from residents (not just Black folks) was just as receptive this go around. Across the globe, people, especially women, are intrigued by the Chi-Town mom-in-chief.

Take for instance Yelena Khanga. Her American grandparents were a mixed-race couple and came to the Soviet Union in the 1920's. She is a former Russian television personality and the author of "Soul to Soul: The Story of a Black Russian American Family, 1865-1992" (Norton). Khanga revealed to Radio Free Europe that her grandparents' dream was that "Americans would someday allow mixed couples to live in peace, have children, and let the children have decent lives." Now Khanga is getting to see her grandparents dream realized thanks largely in part to Michelle Obama.