Archive for category Our Family History

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’S 2ND PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION

Feb 4

Posted by Mary Herbert in 2013 WLH Newsletter, Editorial News And Reviews, Our Family History, President Obama | No Comments

The second inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States took place in a private swearing-in ceremony on Sunday, January 20, 2013 in the Blue Room of the White House. A public ceremony marking the occasion took place on Monday, January 21, 2013 at the United States Capitol building. The inauguration marked the beginning of the second term of Barack Obama as President and Joe Biden as Vice President.

President Barack Obama used a Bible that belonged to Abraham Lincoln (he used it for his first Inauguration also) as well as one belonging to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as he took his oath of office. This was a powerful symbol of this year’s rare intersection of the civil rights movement and the nation’s first black president. “It’s almost like fate and history coming together,” said U.S. Rep. John Lewis, who worked alongside King in the fight for civil rights during the 1950s and ’60s and attended the inauguration. “If it hadn’t been for Martin Luther King Jr., there would be no Barack Obama as president.” Many Americans participated in a Day of Service in honor of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a day of Celebration of President Obama’s 2nd Inauguration.

The official theme for the 2013 inauguration was “Faith in America’s Future,” commemorating the United States’ perseverance and unity, marking the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the placement of the Statue of Freedom atop the Capitol Dome in 1863.

The inauguration was physically attended by approximately a million people, and watched by millions more around the world. It was a very exciting day for many of us. Our President’s first inauguration was held on Tuesday January 20, 2009.

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Respectfully Submitted by Mary Herbert of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Wilson Lake Herbert Family Reunion Circle

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“Change is never easy, but always possible.” — President Barack Obama

Tags: President Obama

CONGRATS TO OUR COUSIN, JOYCE REEDER BEATTY OF OHIO, ON HER ELECTION TO CONGRESS

Jan 26

Posted by Mary Herbert in 2013 WLH Newsletter, Accomplishments, Announcements, Celebrations, Columbus, OH Chapter, Our Family History, Shared Media Presentations, WLH Family Members In The News | No Comments

United States House of Representative Member, Joyce Beatty, is shown above on end of top row on right in red

She represents Ohio’s 3rd Congressional District

Congratulations to our LAKE cousin Joyce Beatty, shown above right standing behind Nancy Pelosi as one of the record number of women elected to Congress on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.

She is a Daughter of Herman and Annie Reeder, and granddaughter of Mary Lake Reeder and John Reeder.

Her great-grandparents were Mary Wilson Lake and Burr Lake. Burr Lake was a son of Henry Lake- her great-great grandfather.

Congresswoman Beatty’s Aunt was Eula Lake Reeder Coleman, the mother of Christine Coleman Walker of Virginia and Marcellus Coleman of New Jersey and several other siblings.

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Congresswoman Joyce Beatty was sworn in as a Member of the United States House of Representatives by House Speaker John Boehner January 3rd, 2013. (Official Portrait of US Rep. Joyce Beatty shown on right.)

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Respectfully Submitted by Marcellus Coleman of New Jersey and Rodney Williams of Idyllwild, California, Editor of The LAKE Family from Newberry, SC, Facebook Family Group Page

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“Each of us, famous or infamous, is a role model for somebody, and if we aren’t, we should behave as though we are — cheerful, kind, loving, courteous. Because you can be sure someone is watching and taking deliberate and diligent notes.” [Quote: Maya Angelou,

WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND, ESSAY BY DEVYN MARY HERBERT

Dec 29

Posted by Mary Herbert in 2013 WLH Newsletter, Our Family History, Philadelphia, PA Chapter, What's On Your Mind, WLH Scholars, WLH Youth On The Rise | No Comments

ESSAY BY DEVYN MARY HERBERT

Seemed like I wasn’t succeeding—— My second year in grade school was a challenge for me. I wasn’t focused, I wasn’t on a good maturity level and I wasn’t serious. I would play at school like I was out with friends. That didn’t stop until my second year of 2^nd grade. When I found out that I had to repeat 2^nd grade I was upset, didn’t feel so clever and most importantly I felt different. I was confused and didn’t understand anything. Why couldn’t I go to third grade with my friends? What did they mean I was repeating 2^nd grade? I would have long conversations with my parents. Although they made sense on every aspect of the situation, the question why, would come up just as much as the words “it’s going to be alright”.

During my second year of 2nd grade, children would always ask me why I was 9 when you’re actually supposed to be 8 in the 2^nd grade. That would make me so angry. Seemed like they were questioning my intelligence—– So what if I was 9, ‘I got here the same way you got here.’ My response was very shocking to me. I would just reply ‘I got held back a year.’ Why couldn’t I think of something else? Something that wouldn’t make me look like a fool. I would talk to my parents about it and they would always tell me “you don’t need to tell them why, it’s none of their business!” which made sense but until this day my response is still the same “I got held back a year”. My getting questioned about my grade and age didn’t only happen in school but also outside of school from my family members. There was one Thanksgiving when my cousins and I were on the subject of school, they asked my age then asked my grade and looked at me like I had three eyes in the middle of my head. I shook that one off. Their facial expressions looked like ‘who did what and why’? My sister and I were cracking up the whole ride home and some more when we got in bed. I remember one day this girl who I really didn’t seem to like, asked me what made the school hold me back a year. Words couldn’t explain how furious I was. When truth is I didn’t know myself. I must admit that although it was my second year in 2^nd grade everything was so new to me. Not only the students and teachers but the work! Sadly I didn’t remember any of it. Especially the math! I learned that stuff like it was never taught to me. But truthfully it was. I came to realize well that’s why I was held back. After realizing that, most of it became so clear to me. It was to benefit me and my future. If I would have known that then that would’ve been my answer and that would have smacked the smirk of that girl’s face and made me look like a champ.

People still ask me why am I turning 17 in the 10^th grade and my response is always the same ‘I got held back a year’. The difference about it now is that I’m okay with it, it’s the truth. Getting held back filled the pieces to my puzzle. Without that I wouldn’t have gotten accepted into Parkway Center City with a 3.73 GPA. Without that I wouldn’t have the knowledge or intelligence that God wanted me to have. It was not a mistake. It renewed my confidence. I don’t know why bad things happen to good people but I believe that only God can turn the bad things into a phenomenal, unique piece of art. When I came out of my second year of 2^nd grade I had a 94 in math. That let me and others know, there was no going back, the past was the past and let the new beginnings begin. The lesson that I got out of this phase in my life, was to never underestimate my ability to perceive. How did the man with the broken leg make to the finish line? He got up and kept trying. How did I become the young lady that I am today? I got up and kept trying. (October 13, 2012)

(Devyn is shown in photo below outside the Shubert Theater on Broadway in New York with Dr. Cornel West.)