Cassie Moore never thought she would live to see the day a black man would become president of the United States.

But that will change as she watches television to see Barack Obama inaugurated as the country’s first black president today.

At 71-years-old, she has lived through the civil rights movement, World War II and countless other historic moments in the nation and her own hometown of Mount Airy in the Slate Mountain community.

But a black president was never something she had even contemplated as a possibility — even during Democrat Obama’s lengthy presidential campaign against Republican John McCain.

“It never crossed my mind that we could have a black president,” said Moore, who is black. “The presidents were always white — all the time. I’m still shocked.”

But Moore’s shock is also accompanied with excitement.

“I feel good about this,” she said. “I think he’s going to be a great president.”

Handfuls of black Surry County residents have mirrored Moore’s feelings of excitement, both young and old.

Malaya Johnson also never anticipated she would see the first black president.

At only 12, she had her doubts.

“We’ve never had one before,” she said.

Nicole March, 15, echoed her comments.

“It’s good to finally see it happen,” she said.

Malaya said Obama’s ascent to the nation’s highest political office as a black man is inspirational for youth, and an influential testament that anything is possible.

“It feels good,” she said. “It shows you can do anything that you can put your mind to — anything.”

Malaya’s little sister, Mikaela Johnson, summed up her excitement in three words.

“It’s pretty cool,” the 9-year-old said, smiling.

While working with the Surry County Democratic party in support of Obama during the election, Dion Dodd said she was hopeful for Obama’s presidential win, and diligently pursued youth to participate in voting.

She said she wanted everyone to be involved because she believed Obama was a president for the people, not just black people.

“I hope it works out for everybody,” said Dodd, 69. “I never thought this would happen in my lifetime.”

She also added that Obama’s presidency doesn’t mean people shouldn’t band together and continue to work toward building better race relations and equality.

“Just because he’s in office doesn’t mean we shouldn’t press on,” she said. “We need to keep working hard.”

Having traveled the world as an international blues and jazz singer, Mount Airy resident Melva Houston thought she had seen it all.

But Obama’s presidential win on Nov. 4, 2008, changed everything.

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would seen the first African-American president,” she said, following a local Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday celebration at which she sang. “This was special because the American people opened their mouth as a whole to say enough is enough — let’s make a change. It makes me proud to say I’m an American.”

Houston said that Obama’s inauguration is a sign of unity among the American people, and a positive progression of race relations.

“I haven’t seen unity like this since (the) 9-11 (attacks), this surpasses the unity 9-11 created. I’m in awe of this country,” she said. “I’m honored to be living at this time. I love me some Jackie Kennedy, but Michelle Obama is a bad first lady. I know some good is coming and whether it gets here while here on Earth or in Heaven, I know it’s coming. I have nothing but positive energy in my heart for (the Obama) family.”

Contact Erin C. Perkins at eperkins@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.