AAUW Dialog

Yes, Mom, I’m Really in That Crowd on TV
Despite growing up in the D.C. area, this was the first inauguration I attended. I spent the days before the event gathering warm hats and gloves for myself and a friend from South Carolina. We had grand plans to brave the cold early dawn hours on the Mall, waiting for Obama to appear. Instead, we left at 9:30, ignored the Metro directions, walked — a lot — wove through a museum, and ended up with a great spot in the crowd just before the ceremony began. Like our arrival, the most memorable parts of the ceremony for me were, also, the most unexpected: the quiet attention of the crowd, the kindness of the woman who offered her flag to a stranger, and the joyful calmness of more than million people trying to move in the same direction.

—Nicole Barone Callahan

The Sounds of Hope
Leaving the Mall, walking the miles toward the Metro, I passed the Native American Museum and paused to listen. They were drumming in ceremony to honor the Inauguration, and listening to that, watching the Capitol and the crowds still smiling after hours on their feet in the freezing cold, it almost felt like a blessing being bestowed on our nation. Let’s hope it brings the new administration the grace, strength, honesty, beauty, and peace the music evoked.

—Christy Jones

A Message for All
The Inauguration was truly a historic experience. I have never been to a presidential Inauguration, and this was something that I would not trade for the world. Listening to Barack Obama’s acceptance speech struck a chord with me and helped me to understand that, no matter your political affiliation, a person can help the United States prosper and move toward a positive future. The most inspirational idea that Obama stresses to everyone, but especially to my generation, was that a person can do anything they want to, as long as they work hard. These words really made me feel like I can make a difference in the world, no matter how big or small. This wonderful idea, I believe, will help to motivate people to realize they have talents and can improve the world.

—Jennifer McGuire

Renaissance
This Inauguration weekend was awesome! I did not get to see all my family and friends, but everyone who came to Washington, D.C., was here to celebrate a new beginning for our country. Inauguration Day for me began at 3:45 a.m. In my five layers of clothes and two sets of gloves I made my way to the Metro train to get downtown. I met a good friend at a Metro stop near the Mall at 5 a.m. We walked to the access points and stood with millions of others to experience the Inauguration of our 44th president, Barack Obama. Spirits were high, and I met people from New Jersey, Alabama, Georgia, and London, all here to celebrate a new beginning for America. Although it was bitter cold, I saw generations of families huddled together with strangers to celebrate change. Parents with their babies, people in wheelchairs and on walkers, crutches, and canes from every background you could imagine were represented, standing side by side and sharing whatever they had to keep warm. I hope and pray this spirit of working together will strengthen America. I stood yesterday to bear witness for myself and my family members who have passed on that change has come.

—Claudia Richards

Congratulations, Mr. President
The Inaugural concert was, by far, one of the most important events I will ever attend. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be a resident of D.C. during this history-making Inauguration. It is difficult to find words that describe how I felt being among such a gigantic group of people, at the National Mall, listening to A-list entertainment, all to celebrate the one biggest rock star. Congratulations, Barack Obama! I look forward to four years of more great history in the making.

—Jennifer Steenberg

Inaugural Adventure
Arriving downtown, I waded through the gathering crowd to pick up breakfast for the news crew that I had been hired to help. I made my way to the press entrance at 13th Street with my large plastic bag and tray of once hot beverages, only to be directed 20 minutes later to the 7th Street entrance. After checking every parade route entrance I could think of, I made my way to my last hope for entry, 12th Street and Constitution Avenue. By this time, I had dumped the tray of beverages, and the bag of near-frozen breakfast sandwiches had spilled out onto the ground. I gripped my press credentials and dirty sandwiches, pushing through the crowd and shouting, “National Press, please let me through!” To my surprise, the good-natured crowd helped catapult me to the front of the security line, where I arrived with a wide-eyed jump.

Once through security, I quickly made it to the media stand at National Archives. The morning was spent trying to keep warm while waiting for the parade to start. Around 2:30 p.m. we received news that the parade was postponed, but finally the newly sworn-in officials and their entourage made their way down Pennsylvania Avenue. The highlight of the day was when President and Mrs. Obama stepped out of the car at 7th Street and walked right by the 9th Street media stand, waving to the wildly excited crowd.

At 7 p.m. we finally began packing up the gear, and I raced home to a hot shower, thinking longingly for a minute about those who were just on their way out to celebrate. As my head hit the pillow, I thought contentedly, though, that for this inauguration I had been in the middle of a great adventure.

—Mandy Toomey

I Was There
I was there with over a million of my closet friends. My sister and niece flew in from Kansas City and, as we walked around the National Mall trying to find a prime viewing spot (just 3 jumbotrons back from the Capitol), we ran into friends from St. Louis, Washington state, Atlanta, Chicago, and even the Congo. And although the day began before 4 a.m., included almost three hours of trying to get on and off Metro trains, three hours of walking to and from the event, over four hours of standing waiting for the main event to begin, and at least two hours to completely thaw out, I wouldn’t trade a moment of the day for anything. There was dancing and singing to stay warm, including a group of young revelers leading the cold masses around them in a round of the Isley Brothers’ song “Shout.” But the most amazing moment occurred when a hush went over the crowd, but then a slow chant from the back (way in the back) began to roll to the front of like a wave, building strength and momentum. They were chanting a single word, OBAMA. The hopes that that crowd and many across America have pinned on this administration is staggering. But they certainly had my support and those of over a million of my closet friends yesterday.

—Peggy Woods-Clark