Meet Bernice/Great-Granddaughter of Slaves/Obama Voter..

[unapatriciated]

She is 83 years young and lives in a rural area of Walker County Georgia. I met Miss Bernice last week while phone banking for Obama, she had not voted in years and was not sure if she was still eligible.
I contacted her local elections board and was delighted to find out she indeed was still on the rolls.
She was so excited when I called her back the next day and told her not only could she vote but hubby and I would be honored to drive her to the polls.
Hubby (duer lame54) and I left early Tuesday morning to drive the eighty miles to Bernice's home. We arrived around 9 a.m.
Bernice gave us a tour of her home and a short family history and than we were off to the polls (her local Fire Station).
This was the first time she had voted electronically but had no trouble finding Obama and casting her vote (she did vote D for the rest of the ticket).
She was such a delight that we decided we wanted to spend a little more time with her and drove to town for lunch.
The area where she lives is rich in history and Bernice turned our drive into a history lesson.
She pointed out the home that her great-grandmother had lived as a slave and the plot of land that was given to her great-grandfather after slavery was abolished.
She had a story for just about every "farm" we passed on our way to Fort Oglethorpe.
Bernice told us more family history during lunch about her grandmother who raised her and was the local mid-wife(who delivered or assisted most of the local births in the late 1800's and early 1900's).
On the drive back to her home we took a different route and were given another history lesson.
After arriving at her home we took some pictures, the last one was of the irons used by her great-grandmother.
We exchanged hugs and goodbyes, than Bernice made us a gift of her glass coffee pot.
This was a very memorable and rewarding day. We are now looking forward to our next visit with Miss Bernice.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Great story

[Booster]

2. A wonderful memory I know you will cherish for the rest of your life.

[flpoljunkie]

3. Wonderful! Thanks for sharing this.

[rwork]

4. You guys are fantastic.

I love older people. I was raised by my grandparents.

[unapatriciated]

5. It was such a pleasure for us...

Bernice called me on Monday evening, she was so very sad to hear about Obama's grandmother passing.

[rwork]

9. Sounds like you have made a new friend.

We can learn so much from older people.

[lame54]

10. yes we did...

she calls every other day and we are making plans for our next visit.

[lame54]

6. It was a great day

[lame54]

8. .

[kayakjohnny]

7. You will always remember this day. Thanks for sharing this story. There must be so many

untold tales like this. What you two did was wonderful. I bet your heart is just glowing now. My hat's off to you both. And to Bernice. You never know what you'll get when you reach out just a little further into the unknown. My goodness, how connected we all are.

[Ilsa]

11. That was wonderful! I am so glad you were able to help her vote! nt

[MissMarple]

12. What a great experience for you. Can you go back and get a recording, perhaps a video?

Your library might find that quite valuable. Ask them. Or, if not, the history department of a state college or university, or a local museum.

:applause:

[ColbertWatcher]

13. Wonderful story. kick, too late for rec. n/t

[Ichingcarpenter]

14. What a touching story

Thanks so much for the pictures and the story

YOU GUYS ROCK

[blaze]

15. Thank you so much

for sharing that story. I think you should share it with Obama! That iron is a bit chilling, isn't it? The history attached to it...

Your new friend looks so proud in that first photo. Thanks so much for reaching out and helping her to vote.

Just when I think the tears are starting to get under control...

[Barack_America]

16. What a lovely story. Did you happen to get any gardening tips from her.

She seems to have quite the green thumb. What amazing and beautiful plants she has!

[Window]

17. A beautiful, deeply moving story. Thanks for sharing.

Bless you and your husband for being so caring.


Peace:thumbsup:

[MadMaddie]

18. Thank you both taking Ms. Bernice to the polling station!

What a history, what a woman and what a country!

[DUlover2909]

19. That's an awesome post! Congrats to you and to her and to all of us!

I drove my coworker to the polls after I got her registered and I thought I was cool. You guys are awesome!