Rather than a few generic paragraphs about Ann Dunham, the mother and inspiration behind Barack Obama, which you can find up and down the Internet, I thought it would be more effective to highlight the pillar moments in her life before, up to, and after Barack Obama Jr. was born - and on that note I introduce you to Barack Obama’s mother Ann Dunham, in a snapshot. They say behind every strong man there is an even stronger woman - and in the case of the United States first African-American president, this is definitely true.
1942
On November 29, 1942, in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Stanley Armour Dunham and Madelyn Dunham give birth to a baby girl, which they named Stanley Dunham because they were expecting a boy.
Their daughter, not too fond of having a boys name starts to introduce herself as Ann as she grew older.
1956
At the age of 13, Ann Dunham and her family move to Mercer Island, Washington so Ann can have the opportunity to attend a newly opened high school there. She will end up attending school on Mercer Island from 8th grade through the finish of high school. While in school, Ann was deeply impacted by two controversial teachers: Val Foubert (English Teacher) and Jim Wichterman (Philosophy Teacher) who both encouraged their students to challenge authority and what would be considered the “norm” in society. Such books provided within the curriculum are the Communist Manifesto - which caused great an uproar from the parents and ultimately had both the teachers fired.
It’s also at this point during high school that Ann Dunham declared she is an Atheist, and has no desire to be married or have children later on in life.
1960
At the age of 18, Ann and her family make the move to Hawaii, where Ann begins to attend the University of Hawaii, Honolulu campus. In a Russian Language class Ann Dunham meets a vibrant and passionate boy named Barack Obama (Sr) who is a foreign student from Kenya, and attending the University of Hawaii on a scholarship program to study Economics. Ann is immediately intrigued by his personality and the two begin dating shortly after they meet.
Ann eventually tells her parents about this boy she met, and they invite him over for dinner.
1961-1963
Ann Dunham and Barack Obama Sr. get married on February 2, 1961. The marriage, held in Maui, is a secret with no one invited. At the time of their marriage, Ann is already 3 months pregnant with Barack Obama Jr.
August 4, 1961 Barack Obama Sr. is born. With Ann only being 18 and still attending university, she drops out to take care of her newly born son.
When Barack Jr. is 1 year old, his father picks up and leaves his mother to attend Harvard and pursue a Ph.D. in Economics on scholarship.
Ann Dunham decides to go back to college when Barack Jr. is around 2 years old, and her parents help out as much as they can to take care of their grandson, despite money being scarce.
Ann meets a boy by the name of Lolo Soetoro after going back to school. He is a foreign student from Indonesia.
1964
Ann eventually files for a divorce from Barack Obama Sr. and he willingly signs the papers.
1967-1970
After dating for a few years, Ann Dunham and Lolo Soetoro get married. Lolo moves back to Indonesia after school is finished, with Ann and Barack Jr. following shortly after.
For a while the newlyweds live in Lolo’s house on the perimeter of the Indonesian capitol, Jakarta. This was definitely an adjustment for Ann, as power failures were quite frequent in this neighborhood.
While in Jakarta, Barack Obama Jr. attends a Catholic school.
Lolo is eventually promoted, and is able to move his wife and her son to a better neighborhood, and Barack Jr. begins to attend a public elementary school.
During this period Ann begins to feel distant from her husband, finding out that they have less and less in common. She accepts a job at the U.S. Embassy as an English Teacher.
Starting to grow concern for the quality of education that Barack Jr. is receiving, Ann begins providing daily English lessons for her son every morning at 4 a.m. - it is around this time that she also introduces Barack to Black music, culture and reading to ensure he is educated on his roots, and to compensate for the lack of African-American presence in his life up until this point.
August 15, 1970 Lolo and Ann give birth to a daughter, Maya Soetoro, who is Barack Obama Junior’s half sister.
1971
With the interest of Barack’s education at hand, Ann sends young Barack back to Hawaii to live with his grandparents at the age of 10. With the lending hand of his grandparents, Barack Obama Jr. applies to the acclaimed Punahou prep school, and is accepted on a scholarship.
1972-1980
With her daughter Maya, Ann Dunham returns to Hawaii and her and her two children live in a small apartment around the Honolulu area. Money is definitely tight at this time.
In 1974, Ann makes the decision to go back to Indonesia to begin fieldwork for her Ph.D. Barack Jr. who is now 13, makes the decision to stay in Hawaii with his grandparents. Ann Dunham files for divorce from Lolo Soetoro in 1980.
1988-1992
During the 1980’s Ann Dunham continues her research in Indonesia, for her Ph.D. in Anthropology. This eventually leads to her assistance in building the foundation for a micro finance program for which low-income families in Indonesia can receive financial aid services.
In 1992, Ann earns her Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Hawaii. Her dissertation was appropriately titled: Peasant Blacksmithing in Indonesia - Surviving and Thriving Against All Odds.
1994
While in Jakarta, Ann begins having abdominal pains which is diagnosed by a local doctor as common indigestion. These were the first signs of Ann’s ovarian cancer.
1995
Back in Hawaii, Ann Dunham finally receives proper diagnosis which reveals she does indeed have ovarian and uterine cancer. Ann Dunham passes away on November 7, 1995 at the young age of 52.
Concept and Creation:
Heike Cimato, Shon Price and Gideon van Dijk
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Half way through it started raining. It washed our mural but not our spirits.
Onelove.
Compilation footage from the Oregonian News of various Barack Obama campaign clips from around the Oregon area.
Great High Definition footage of an Obama rally in Sunrise, Florida.
You can really feel the energy in the room.
Barack Obama introduces Joe Biden as his running mate in Springfield, IL.
It was very exciting to see them in person.
Music Video for the Obama campaign.
Great song - Great message.
January 2nd, 2009 at 11:24 pm
I lived in Indonesia 1976-79, and another anthropoligist was my son’s godmother; Helen Cruz. I have lost track of her and wonder if she might have known Ann Dunham.
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:35 pm
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January 28th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
Ann Dunham would have had insurance through her job. She would have moved back to the U.S. to receive the proper diagnosis and the best medical care available in the world. Obama’s struggle with his mother sitting down and paying her deductibles and co-pays are simply him seeing her through a child’s eyes. Her mother was elderly. Who else was going to write the checks?
This situation isn’t a “unique” tragedy - no matter how conflicted old Barry is.
It happens every day - even for people with insurance. Life goes on…you still have to write your checks…
He is to conflicted to be the president of anything. He is an immature, indolent person.
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