Welcome to Snohomish County for Obama

I wanted to write a note to say thank you for everything you have done to help achieve this amazing milestone in history! Many of you have been with us since we established these groups in March of 2007, but regardless of the time of involvement, you made important contributions and share in the success. But our job is not over. Below, I wanted to share with you an article I wrote yesterday which includes ideas about how to get and stay involved to create the change we want. --Marsha

I am so glad that I was a part of this presidential victory. It's such a good feeling to know that our hard work has paid off. Like many other people, this was the first time I had gotten involved in the political process.

It was truly a historic and proud moment for me because I am a minority. I know what it's like to be of a different color in America and what it's like to face prejudice and racism. I know the challenges and uphill battle minorities have faced. I was born in Japan and came to the United States when I was two years old. I became a U.S. citizen when I was about 12 years old. I felt that Barack Obama's family has a lot in common with my family. Like him I grew up in a multicultural family (my father is white, my mother is Japanese). My husband came to the United States from Africa. My children are bi-racial like Barack Obama. I can now say that anything is possible in America. One of my children could possibly become President one day. --Kay

Even though now today, several days after the election, my checkbook is still low, it still hurts to fill my tank, the value of my house has not gone back up, the polar ice cap is still melting, and another soldier may die today in Iraq while fighting in this war of choice, somehow I do still feel better, knowing that change is already starting to take place. I can't help but think that if you were an astronaut circling the earth right now, our planet would have a huge smile on it! --Charlene

When I was a young woman getting married, my flower girl's parents couldn't go home to his home state for fear of at least being arrested for miscegenation, and last night a man with a white mother and a black father was elected President of the United States, and is moving into the White House. The world hasn't completely changed, but how incredible is this! --Nancy

I went out on a 'get out the vote' canvass on the Sunday before election day. I was talking with a lady at her door about getting her ballot in the mail and I noticed to young boys ( african american about 8 or 9 yrs old) circling around on their bicycles near by. So I started onto the next house and one of the boys came over to me and asked " so are you selling cookies today ?" I had a good chuckle to myself and then told him " no... I'm out talking to people to make sure that they mail in their ballot to vote" He said " oh, we want Obama, he's just like me, yep I have a white mama too. Then he says "Obama is the winner he has 347 votes" - (oddly close to what his total electoral vote ended up at ?!?). So I told the boy that he sure knew a lot for a young man that I wanted Senator Obama to win too, but we would know for sure on Tuesday. First we have to make sure that everyone votes. So, he gives me a huge smile; as his other buddy comes riding over on his bike. He looks at his friend and says " nope... she's not selling cookies, she's selling stuff about voting". I went on my way with a smile in my heart and a spring in my step. It was a moment that I'll never forget !!! --Theresa

I am overcome with great joy and relief that Barack Obama is our new President. I could not help crying at the joyous news. Thanks to everyone for all the effort you put in to make this a reality. I have donated money, but not time. I know many of you worked tirelessly to make this happen. We are in your debt!

When we went to the Biden rally in Tacoma a couple of weeks ago, we were lucky enough to be right next to Mr. Biden's car on the highway. We waved and he smiled back at us. My daughter said tonight, "I was only about 10 feet away from the Vice President!" What a wild and wonderful ride this has been. --Kim

The amazing thing to me is how normal I feel today. I haven't felt normal for a long time. It is hard to even recognize the person of yesterday. Today I live in a normal country with the sort of smart, energetic leader that you would expect a normal country to have. I'm not worried that my new President is going to attack Iran, Cuba, or Spain. I don't wince at the thought of my new President giving a press conference, let alone shudder in terror at the thought of him talking to another world leader. The Vice President seems like the sort of normal competent person that you would expect to be Vice President of a large country.

I don't worry that if something bad happens, we will run around in a panic and I will wake up to the news that we have invaded Canada. I don't feel that we have a leader who is secretly excited by just how much chaos and destruction he can cause here or abroad.

Yes, we have some pretty big problems -- not least of which is that we have more than two months left with the other guy in office. I hope he doesn't cause too much harm. I hope that the people under him clear his actions with President Obama first.
A new day is dawning and it feels... normal. --George

Now we need to continue to support President Obama, to help him accomplish those changes we all need so much! And just think about this: when he runs for reelection in 2012, just think how well organized we already are! Yes we can! --Charlene

Yes We Did! Congrats to everyone for all their hard work. --Brenda

What an unbelievable historic night. Thanks everyone for all you have done! --Sedonia

Congrats for the hard work. This has been such a wonderful ride. I (actually, we) are blessed to have gotten acquainted with so many wonderful people. Now we get to roll up our sleeves and get to work (after some well deserved celebrating!!!!!!!!!). Happy elections & joyous inaugurations! --Vickie

Looks like WA came through! AT LEAST four years of Obama and four MORE years of Gregoire! Even though I'm in WI now, I was still watching WA like a hawk! --Megan

It has been my pleasure getting to know so many people over the past year and half. When we all started meeting back in February of 2007 at the Everett Public Library.. I'm not quite sure we all knew what to expect come election day. But, I believe we all knew this was big. That should Barack Obama be elected President of the United States... lives for all Americans would be changed for the better. I believe we all took notice that someone like Barack Obama only comes around once in a lifetime, that he is special and has the ability to take this country in a new, a better direction. And, not only does he have that ability, but stirs something in all of us, a personal desire to do and want better for ourselves and our families. We all had personal reasons for why we chose to get involved in this campaign from the start. Some of us had never been involved in politics, but Barack made us take notice. Whatever our reasons, whatever our
motivations..... WE DID IT!

I have met so many people from so many walks of life over this past 16 months or so and I am so thankful to each one of you for sharing your experience with me and my family. I'm so proud to have been a part of this moment with every one of you. It has been an amazing time and I am so thoroughly looking forward to the next four years with President Barack Obama leading us! -- Brenda F.

Yes, we did! I have worked all my life for this day. My journey in civil rights began in 1963 in an inner city junior high school when a 13-year-old student invited me to participate in NAACP. I have marched, prayed, lectured, alienated friends and family. Today I sit in glorious vindication and fulfillment. Praise Infinity, I lived to see this day. Thank you for all you did to make it happen. --Donna

During the campaign I tried to represent the Iranian American community and was happy to tell you many stories. I am so proud that the singer, Farshid Amin, has written a great
song called "change" which was performed at a gala for Barack Obama two
weeks ago. Lionel Richie and The Pointer Sisters also submitted songs but Farshid's song was chosen. He has been invited to perform the song on election night at the Democratic Victory Gala in Orange County . He is the first Iranian singer ever to perform on election night. --Roxanne

Yes, we sure did! Last night those of us gathered at my home sang the Jewish blessing traditionally recited to offer thanks for new and unusual experiences or to celebrate any long-awaited occasion. It translates as:

"Blessed art thou, our God, Master of the universe, who has kept us alive and sustained us and has brought us to this special time."

I'm so grateful to have been a part of this astonishing experience! --Eileen

I was at the party at the Nile Country Club last night and have never experienced such emotions (ok...the birth of my children may have beat it). First of all I thought the place of the party itself showed how much this world is changed. My Grandfather was a Shriner, and back when they first started, blacks were not allowed to join....and now a party for our first African American President is being held there! I had so much fun working on this campaign.

I wish I could have met more of you in person, but I enjoyed talking to you and "speaking" through e-mail. It would be fun to have a get-together to meet each other and put faces to the names. I did lots of my phone calling from home due to complications from diabetes, but feel proud that I worked with such fantastic people and played my small party in the historic election. I slept soundly last night knowing that our future will be in able hands, finally (and I also got a job yesterday). The work is just starting for all of us. Obama is all about having all of us involved...we matter in the direction this world is going to take and what we are going to leave to our children.

Again...I really appreciate "meeting" so many passionate and wonderful people!
--Debbie H.