All Bermudians need to "take a leaf out of Obama's book" and come together so the island can move forward.
So says Shernette Wolffe, the clerk of the House of Assembly, who hopes yesterday's presidential inauguration speech will inspire people to put their differences behind them.
She was in Washington D.C. to hear Obama's vision for the future and believes politicians and citizens in Bermuda now need to do their bit to tackle challenges ahead.
Ms Wolffe was one of about three million people who filled up the entire length of the National Mall for Inauguration Day.
She was among eight members of Our Passion Book Club who secured a spot next to a giant TV screen, about 100ft back from the Capitol Building.
Speaking from her hotel room in Washington DC as she tried to thaw out from the cold weather, Ms Wolffe said: "It was a very momentous occasion for me.
"He's a very young president and a risk-taker and there he was talking about the challenges ahead.
"I am hoping Obama will inspire many of our own politicians with his vision for the future. What we need in Bermuda is cooperation from everyone to move forward."
Ms Wolffe shed a few tears when she saw Obama for the first time and when he took the oath.
She added: "It just suddenly hit me, this was actually happening, he is the 44th president of the United States.
"It was very, very cold, but everyone was elated, emotional and filled with joy. It was an indescribable feeling that I've never felt before."
Whenever they made their way through the crowds the eight book club members linked arms so they wouldn't be separated. As reported in The Bermuda Sun, the women booked their flights and hotel as soon as Obama was elected as the Democrat candidate.
The group were dressed in layers of clothing, drank hot chocolate and even did the Electric Slide dance to keep warm.
Amazing experience
Book club member Leone Samuels, a science teacher at CedarBridge Academy, described it as an "amazing experience" but "extremely cold."
She said: "Within minutes of us arriving at 5.30am, all we could see were people.
"Young, old, black and white, people were streaming in from every direction. There were people everywhere you looked.
"But we were very pleased that we got to the front area for the general public. We watched it on the big screen, but the Capitol Building was in sight."
Ms Samuels described Obama's speech as "very powerful" as he "reminded everyone to come together to face the challenges ahead."
She said: "It was difficult weather-wise, but despite the physical discomfort the entire day gave us a sense of hope.
"The crowd was so excited and had so much energy, someone would shout Obama and everyone would cheer.
"There was so much anticipation as everyone waited to see Obama. Then when he spoke, everyone was just so focused on what he was saying. He really set the tone for the future."
She added: "We were part of history and it's something we will never forget."
Tina Duke, another book club member and head of learning support at CedarBridge Academy, was still coming to terms with being part of the "phenomenal event."
She said: "It was the most spectacular event I'll ever experience in my lifetime.
"I still can't believe it, it's like complete disbelief that I was even there. I was just awestruck by everything.
"When Obama completed the oath, the crowd just erupted, it was electric."
She added: "People and politicians in Bermuda could definitely take a leaf out of Obama's book."
Last night the eight members of Our Passion Book Club were due to attend the 'Ancestors Dream' inauguration ball at their hotel; the Gaylord National Resort.
Selena Fields was also in Washington D.C. to watch the events of the day unfold with more than ten members of her family. She had planned to watch Obama's swearing-in ceremony at a private party but decided at the last minute she "just couldn't miss it."
She said: "It was mass pandemonium with all the people, but I knew I'd probably never get another chance to see an inauguration.
"It was just so exciting, the whole experience has been phenomenal.
"The crowd was just so happy as they huddled together to keep warm, everyone was just screaming in delight.
"Then when Marine One took off there were some boos, people didn't like to be disrespectful but they were pleased to see the back of George Bush."
She added: "Obama is the new commander in chief, the new boss, and he can handle it."
Ms Fields, who is American but lives in Bermuda, said one of the highlights of her trip was meeting Jesse Jackson at a breakfast prayer meeting organized by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Ms Fields' uncle Dr. Ronald Walters was a senior advisor to Jesse Jackson during his 1984 and 1988 campaigns for president.
Bermudian Dalton Gaume-Wakefield, who is an eighth-grader at Trinity Springs Middle School in Texas, described Inauguration Day as "hectic." He attended through the People to People Leadership Programme and got to meet people from France, Mexico, Portugal, Zimbabwe and Australia.
"As the day got going people got really excited," he said. "When Obama stepped out the people went crazy - just yelling and screaming."
Dalton stood outside in the cold for about eight hours and said as well as chants of 'Obama,' people were holding banners saying 'Yes We Did' and waving the American flag.
He said: "The entire Mall was filled. It was just completely packed. The best part was being part of history."
