Neil's Spotlight Hawaii attorney will realize "dreams of equality" on Inauguration Day
January 2, 2009
Daphne Barbee-Wooten of Hawaii will realize a dream and honor her ancestors while attending the Swearing-In Ceremony of President-elect Barack Obama. She shares some personal reasons to describe the importance of this event to her family.
"I, Daphne Barbee-Wooten was raised on civil rights, law and politics. My father, Lloyd A. Barbee, was an African American civil rights attorney and politician in Wisconsin who sponsored and passed the Fair Housing Law and Anti-Discrimination laws. He was present at the March on Washington in 1964 when Dr. Martin Luther King gave his "I have a dream" speech. I am elated to see my ancestors' "dreams" of equality and civil rights become a reality with Barack Obama's election. I am an African American attorney from Hawaii, specializing in civil rights law. To witness first hand this historical event is one of the best honors I can give to my ancestors, especially my father, who worked hard to make this dream come true.
"My husband, Andre S. Wooten, is also an African American attorney in Hawaii. His father, Howard A. Wooten was a Tuskegee Airman who died 3 months after my husband was born. The Tuskegee Airman protected the U.S. Air force and fought valiantly for America in WWII, despite a racially-segregated military and society. Howard Wooten's face is on posters, fliers, shirts, and jackets as a symbol of the brave Tuskegee Airmen and African Americans who fought to make America great. It is our privilege to attend this momentous point of American history, the inauguration of Barack H. Obama as the 44th President of the United States, the 1st African American President of the United States, the 1st Hawaii-born President of the United States, the 1st civil rights attorney of the United States and the 1st body surfing President of the Untied States, all during the celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King's holiday." --Daphne Barbee-Wooten, attorney, Honolulu.
Daphne Barbee-Wooten (below, left) says attending the Inauguration will help her to honor her family. Her husband, Andre S. Wooten (below, right), will be with her. He is shown wearing a shirt that honors his father who was a Tuskegee Airman. (Photos courtesy of Daphnee Barbee-Wooten.)
