If one woman symbolises International Women's Day for Americans, and black American women in particular, it's Michelle Obama, the successful career-woman and mother of two who six weeks ago became First Lady.

Mrs Obama, who turned 45 days before her husband Barack was sworn in as the 44th President of the US in January, is hugely popular in the US. Nearly half of Americans - 49 per cent - have a favourable opinion of her, according to a recent poll by the New York Times/CBS.

The popularity ratings of the first African-American first lady put her ahead of all of her predecessors including Hillary Clinton, who began her eight-year stay in the White House with a 44-per cent popularity score, Laura Bush with 30 per cent and Nancy Reagan with 28 per cent.

Her youthful, striking looks and dynamism, coupled with the fact that she understands what it means to be a working mother, juggling family life with a successful career, makes it easy for many women to relate to her.