Elizabeth Edwards, Cindy Hensley McCain, Michelle Obama, Ann Romney, and Jeri Thompson united on stage at the Women’s Conference in an open conversation about being the woman behind the man.

“We have a role to show the ‘other’ side of the man” – Ann Romney

“There’s so much that falls on women’s shoulders. You have teenage children. You’re trying to work. You’re trying to clean the house… At some point our bodies say ‘uncle.’ But because we’re juggling so many balls all the time and keeping it together for everybody, we forget to take care of ourselves.” – Ann Romney

“We’re all struggling with this notion of balance… We’re over-worked, we’re over-scheduled. Part of me thinks it’s therapeutic to go on the road and talk to other women about this.” – Michelle Obama

“Anytime you say anything, it gets exploded into a bigger story. We do know our husbands best. If we think our husband is being misrepresented, it’s our job as a wife to step up and protect… You have some roles, but all your doing is expressing what you think is best for your spouse, as a spouse not necessarily as a candidate.” – Elizabeth Edwards

“When I say, ‘don’t work him so hard.’ They say ‘yeah, yeah, yeah, you’re right!’ And then nothing changes. You say ‘please someone listen to me and fix this, and it never gets fixed. And these things you just have to live with on the campaign trail.” – Ann Romney

“For me it’s been keeping our children’s lives as normal as possible. Part of getting into this is ‘you have to be a good father in addition to a good President.’ So I usually travel just during the day. I’m back by the time the kids go to bed… I was home to read that bedtime story, and for my children, that’s important. We’ve got to create boundaries for ourselves and our families – even for the President of the United States. - Michelle Obama

“I’ve learned to say ‘no.’ My family has changed… I’ve made a conscious decision to at some point say ‘enough.’ For me there comes a point where you have to stop and protect your home life. – Cindy Hensley McCain

“I think the American people are electing both people (the President and the First Lady.) But not in [the sense] of leadership or decision-making. But people do look at you very carefully – and the families.” – Cindy Hensley McCain

“I’ve likened [the public attention] to walking down the street without clothes on. It’s already deepened our marriage.” - Jeri Thompson

“My biggest fear is embarrassing him. It would break my heart.” – Jeri Thompson. (In response, Elizabeth Edwards says, “No one is paying that much attention to us!”)

*Photo: WireImage

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Glam.com, GlamScene, Celebrities, Celebrity, The Women’s Conference, Elizabeth Edwards, Cindy Hensley McCain, Michelle Obama, Ann Romney, Jeri Thompson, Maria Shriver

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