Michelle Obama visited UNM on Thursday to rally women's support and kick off her 30/30 project.
Obama's project aims to register 30,000 New Mexican voters in 30 days.
The rally focused on women's issues: Obama said women must work hard between now and election day to come together for change.
"There is nothing more powerful than women connecting with women," she said. "Women are going to get it done - women tend to get things done."
Obama said she would be an advocate for women, who often juggle raising children, holding down jobs and facing inequality in the workforce.
"It's not just politics; it's personal," she said. "I'm living these issues right beside you."
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Obama said her husband is the man for the job because women's struggles are not new to him.
"Barack was raised by strong women," she said, referring to his mother and grandmother.
If elected, Sen. Obama will take these issues to Washington, and Americans will get real help and support, she said.
Student Aginaldo Alderete was raised by a single parent and said the speech reached out to working women like his mother.
"It really brought to light all the stuff my mother has had to do for my sister and I over the years," he said. "So many times, she's given up stuff for us."
Alderete said that putting the Obamas in the White House would help others in his situation.
Obama said women will make the difference in this election and that everyone must continue to build momentum.
"Our first task is to inform people how to register," Obama said.
She said young voters and first-time voters can register to vote at post offices, political offices or online.
It is up to people who want change to register, vote and make it happen, she said.
Kiley Guyton Acosta - a UNM student, wife and mother of a 1-year-old son - said Obama's speech was wonderful because she speaks from the heart.
"The Obamas are really reaching out to our experience, which is an experience that has been happening since the beginning of time, but nobody's really paid much attention," she said.
Acosta and her husband feel a strong connection to the dynamic duo, she said.
"When I look at Barack and Michelle, I see myself," she said. "I feel when they say they understand - I believe they do. Their experiences are our experiences."
Student Brian Moore said he supports Obama because he wants to see an improvement over the last eight years.
"I'm upset with the way the country has been falling victim to people playing on their fears and the things that divide us," he said.
Moore said the solutions proposed by Barack and Michelle Obama are right for America and that they have the power to put them in action.
Obama said her husband can be president in 61 days, but he cannot do it on his own.
"We can change the face of our nation for the future," she said.
