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In 2007, Greensboro voters chose Yvonne Johnson as the city’s first African American mayor.

Barack Obama's keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic convention touched the minds and hearts of millions. In that speech, he outlined his family's pursuit of the American dream and his belief in a generous America.

Encouraging national unity, he rejected the division and fear that were the order of the day.

He stressed that there is not a liberal America or a conservative America; there's the "United" States of America.

That speech lit the flame of a rebirth of hope in this country among many Americans.

His presidential campaign furthered that rebirth of hope by exciting many Americans of all ages, races, religions and regions of this country. He has inspired Americans to think positively and creatively about their place in this global society.

He motivated many young people to get involved and participate in the political process for the first time.

As an African American woman, born and raised in the segregated South, who reached adulthood during the turbulent '60s, I know the importance of a national leader who inspires and gives hope to the people of this country.

For me, it was John F. Kennedy, who said "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." And Martin Luther King Jr., who shared a dream of inclusion and justice and who taught me about the power of an awesome God, one who teaches love not hate, unity not division, and peace not war. Obama has these qualities.

Finally, in these trying times, Obama, like Franklin Roosevelt and Lincoln, will lead this country to a renewed greatness.

His character has been forged by his life experiences and training, training that taught him to listen and to put himself in the place of others to experience what they feel and to understand their motives and desires.

He is the leader we need for such a time as this.