GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) -- First Lady Michelle Obama says the example of the four North Carolina A&T State University students who started the sit-in movement for desegregation more than 50 years ago shows what young people can do to change the world.

Obama was the commencement speaker Saturday at the historically black university in Greensboro.

She said it's easy for people today to assume the four college students who put their careers and lives on the line and forced lunch counters to integrate were always heroes. But Obama recalled that before the Greensboro Four accomplished their goal, they were young people just like the 1,200 graduates in the audience.

Obama encouraged graduates to follow the same example and tackle injustice where they find it.

North Carolina is considered a battleground state in the presidential election and the first lady's visit was expected to generate goodwill among Democrats.