Michelle Obama Gives Gloria Steinem A Shout Out (PHOTOS)

While her husband was busy over at the UN General Assembly, Michelle Obama attended two events in New York to fundraise for President Obama's reelection campaign.

At the first, a $500-and-up per plate fundraiser luncheon, the First Lady addressed a crowd of 400, mostly female supporters, who Obama aimed to motivate for the 2012 election.

To bursts of applause, Michelle invoked the name of Gloria Steinem, saying:

"Fortunately for us, Gloria made a different choice. She stuck with it for the long haul. [...] In the end, we're not fighting these battles for ourselves, we're fighting them for our daughters and our granddaughters."

Michelle talked domestic policy, emphasizing her husband's accomplishments on health care reform as well as education, but reminded the audience that there is still much work to be done.

"Right now, we stand at a fundamental crossroads," the First Lady said. "When it come to just about every issue, from our health our economic security, our basic rights and freedoms, the stakes for American women have never been higher."

Michelle got a second chance to speak later that night at a Gotham Hall fundraiser, for which she matched her strong speaking skills with a strong style statement: a black halter dress that highlighted those famous upper arms.

After delivering remarks at the $2,500-a-head event, FLOTUS was embraced by President Obama in a pretty cute display of (totally appropriate) P.D.A.

See below for pictures of Michelle Obama's New York-chic look.