(Photo: Essence Magazine)

First Lady Michelle Obama is stunning for fall in a fuchsia floral gown on the cover of Essence magazine’s October 2011 issue. The “Power Issue” celebrates Lady O as one of the world’s most influential Black women (Forbes also recognized her on their “World’s Most Powerful Women List” last month).

In the article titled “The Leading Lady,” FLOTUS reflects on her power (or “big, bright light” as she calls it) as the country’s First Lady and shares some of the ways she’s using it for good — namely, through a commitment to the wellbeing of women and girls around the world. “Women energize me.”  She notes,  “My husband is terrific. He is my true partner. Spending time with him is key ... But it's also important for us as women to find each other. And there's that natural reenergizing that happens when women get together. We kind of hold each other up.”

Obama is joined by other notable women, including Oprah Winfrey, Valerie Jarrett, Iyanla Vanzant, Jada Pinkett Smith and Shonda Rhimes, who are each included in the “28 Most Influential Black Women.” After you draw inspiration from their stories, the magazine invites you to “Embrace Your Power” with a feature that offers encouragement to “go for the success you deserve in life, work and love.”

Scoop the issue when it hits stands September 12.