Michelle Obama to be inducted into 2021 National Women's Hall of Fame

Former first lady Michelle Obama will be inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame's "Class of 2021," the organization announced Monday.

Driving the news: The group hailed Obama in a statement as "one of the most influential and iconic women of the 21st century."

• The NWHF also noted that Obama was the first Black woman to serve as first lady.
• The group praised her for her accomplishments as "an advocate for healthy families, service members and their families, higher education, international adolescent girls’ education, and serving as a role model for women and young girls everywhere."

What to watch: Obama is expected to join eight others in being inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in person in New York on Oct. 2.

• The NWHF said in its announcement, made on International Women's Day, that the group is "closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation" and will plan carefully to ensure all attendees can remain safe.

Of note: The other inductees will be Brig. Gen. Rebecca Halstead, the first female to command combat at strategic level as senior commanding general for logistics in Iraq; Native American artist Joy Harjo; former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi; soccer player Mia Hamm; and artist Judy Chicago. 

• Three pioneering women will be posthumously inducted into the hall of fame: NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, abolitionist Emily Howland and author Octavia Butler.