Published: January 14, 2009 10:35 am      

LIFESTYLE: UB profs gather ‘letters of hope’ for First Lady

Nov. 4, 2008, was an inspirational day for many people in many ways.

In the case of two staff members of the University at Buffalo, Election Day inspired them to convey the hope and love felt worldwide for Michelle Obama to the next First Lady.

Barbara Seals Nevergold and Peggy Brooks-Bertram, doctors who co-founded UB’s Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research and Education on Women, took joy in seeing Mrs. Obama campaign alongside her husband, Barack. As he becomes the first African-American president in U.S. history Tuesday, Nevergold and Brooks-Bertram hold him and his wife up as role models for all black Americans.

A week after the election, the two women made a request through the Internet to have people express their desires and advice for Michelle Obama as she prepares for the move to Washington, D.C. Sifting through thousands of submissions from across the globe, 100 letters were compiled into their new book, “Go, Tell Michelle: African-American Women’s Letters to the New First Lady,” which came out last week.

“We came up with the idea spontaneously after the election. It was really kind of prompted by the ongoing engagement and involvement with the electoral process,” Nevergold said in a recent interview. “Throughout the election, it became apparent that African-Americans were becoming emotionally invested ... At the end of the election, I started to think, ‘How can we as African-American women share with her our feelings about the new role she’s going to take?’ ”

Within days, letters started pouring in. About one-fourth of the letters came from Western New York, the women said, but several came from nations in Africa and the Caribbean Sea.

“All of the women who wrote to us feel an affinity to her, a relationship for her,” Nevergold said. “The letters are inspiring because they’re often very optimistic ... There were so many messages that said, ‘We never thought we’d live to see the day that a black man was elected president.’ ”

Hope was another prominent theme, Brooks-Bertram said, in the Obamas’ ability to turn the nation around — in perception as well as in more tangible means.

“She’s a woman that really rounds out the concept of what a family unit really is,” Brooks-Bertram said. “She’s a mother and a daughter, so the whole set-up is that they represented an entire family unit, and that dispels some of the stereotypes you see about African-Americans.

“There’s still a very stereotypic and myopic view of the image of black women ... She will portray the true African-American woman — educated, confident, articulate, graceful.”

The precedent the Obamas set, Nevergold said, will hopefully inspire countless Americans to persevere in pursuit of their dreams.

“Little brown-skinned children will see other brown-skinned children in the White House, and that will have a profound impact,” she said.

Although only 100 letters made the cut for the book — published by SUNY Press — every letters that was received will be included in an online repository available at the Uncrowned Queens Web site (wings.buffalo.edu/uncrownedqueens).

The co-authors have set high goals for their book. In addition to seeking best-seller status, the writers would like Mrs. Obama to have a copy of the book in her hands Tuesday. They’ve sent out several feelers on that subject, but they’re willing to accept help from anyone who’s willing.

“If you happen to be in Washington on Inauguration Day,” said Brooks-Bertram, her grin radiating through her voice, “please take a copy with you.”

Contact editor Paul Laneat 693-1000, ext. 116.