WASHINGTON: November 4, 2008 -- will be etched forever in the memory of a 106-year-old Afro-American, who was barred from voting on racial grounds, as she cast her ballot in favour of fellow Black Barack Obama, who paid glowing tributes to the woman.
The story of Ann Nixon Cooper, who faced racial discrimination during her early life, was narrated by the US President-elect at his victory speech.
The woman cast her ballot in Altanta, Georgia.
Cooper was born just a generation past slavery, a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky, when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin, Obama told
his supporters at Chicago, minutes after he was elected the President of the US.
"And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can," he said.
"This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace.
"To reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people," Obama said.
The President-elect said there is so much more to do in the country.
"So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?" Obama asked.
He told the people that "this is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace".
Obama said it was time to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people.
