PCC Community Joins with Millions at Inauguration

The bone-chilling, single-digit degree temperatures were not enough to dissuade members of the PCC community as they participated in the historic swearing-in ceremony of Barack Obama as the 44th president of the United States on Tuesday in Washington, DC. "Oh my goodness it was phenomenal. It was something I've never experienced in my life," said Health Instructor Grace Apiafi. "There were people screaming, it was so enthusiastic, and so exciting. It was unbelievable, a once in a lifetime opportunity. One of the best experiences was when I met Michelle Obama and shook her hand."

On that significant morning, at a freezing 4 a.m., people from all over the country and the world, were covered from head-to-toe in scarves, earmuffs, gloves and beanies making their way to catch a glimpse of history-in-the-making.

Apiafi made sure she woke up early, left for the train station at 3:30 a.m. and waited with ticket in hand for about three hours in the cold at the silver ticket line at the Capitol. The silver section is the closest standing section to the ceremony.

The day before the swearing-in ceremony, Apiafi met the first lady when she participated in making care packages for U.S. troops along with 12,000 others at RFK stadium.

Sandra Hill, also a silver ticketed guest and the coordinator for Project Leap, was in Washington for the inaugural events. Hill lived in Washington during her youth and was an activist and organizer with the Free South Africa/Anti-Apartheid Movement.

"It's just amazing to come back at this historic moment to see an African-American man be the president of the United States. Because we fought so hard for Mandela to be free and for civil rights, it's extraordinarily emotional for me," said Hill.

Like Hill, PCC's Director for Media Services Johari Dewitt-Rogers was in town and has roots in the civil rights movements too.

"I'm here because it's such a historic moment in time that I could not pass coming. Also it was important to come and represent my parents who were civil rights activists in the '60s and '70s," said Dewitt-Rogers.

Longtime PCC health instructor, Jessie Moore also could not pass up such an opportunity. She stayed near the White House at a friend's house and like Apiafi, also participated in Obama's call for a national day of service by doing volunteer work in Baltimore.

"I think he is so gifted in the way that he encourages each individual to be the best you can be. I don't see him as black or white or a mixture, but as a special anointing to bring unity. Not only to us at home, but to the world," said Moore.

On the day before the swearing-in ceremony, members of Congress held receptions at their offices in celebration of the inaugural events and to distribute the tickets for the ceremony. Southern Californians lined up at the Rayburn Building where Pasadena Congressman Adam Schiff hosted his reception.

"The word that comes to mind for me is 'electric.'" Said Schiff. "I've never seen anything like the euphoria going on now. I really think there are certain moments that sneak up on you and you don't know how significant they really are when they take place, and we only dimly perceive just how giant a step we're taking. But when they write the histories about this country in terms of the centuries, this will be one of the big markers on what is happening here this week.