From campaign worker to guest at inaugural ball, Ohio historian meets president-elect
If you spent a day on a train with President-elect Barack Obama, what would you ask him?
Lisa Hazirjian will get that chance.
She was one of about 40 supporters from around the nation selected by Obama's inauguration committee to meet Obama in Philadelphia on Jan. 17.
"It's totally unexpected and incredible," said the 40-year-old Case Western Reserve University professor who volunteered for Obama's campaign.
The train will pick up Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife in Delaware. They will make a stop in Baltimore, then arrive in Washington, D.C., in time for the inauguration. Hazirjian also will get to attend an inauguration ball.
Hazirjian said she was told she will get some face time with Obama on the train.
During the campaign, her focus was mobilizing members of the Cleveland-area's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. She wants to discuss toughening the nation's anti-discrimination laws. But she also wants to discuss a lighter subject: basketball.
"He took a really big political risk during the campaign by taking a deep 3-point shot. He could have missed it, but he sunk it," said Hazirjian, who studied at Duke University and is a basketball fan. "I would like to talk hoops with him."
She even gets to bring along her partner, Michelle, who asked not to have her last name published.
"My partner sees this as a reward for hardly seeing me for several months during the campaign," Hazirjian said, laughing.
She is confident that she and Michelle will pass muster with the Secret Service.
"I certainly hope so," she said. "I bought the dress already!"
What do you wear to an inaugural ball?
Hazirjian has found this the most stressful wardrobe decision since getting ready for her high school prom.
"That was a really big question for us," Hazirjian said.
She and her partner bought black gowns Monday, and Hazirjian picked a pair of black-and-silver patent-leather heels.
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Lisa Hazirjian will get that chance.
She was one of about 40 supporters from around the nation selected by Obama's inauguration committee to meet Obama in Philadelphia on Jan. 17.
"It's totally unexpected and incredible," said the 40-year-old Case Western Reserve University professor who volunteered for Obama's campaign.
The train will pick up Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife in Delaware. They will make a stop in Baltimore, then arrive in Washington, D.C., in time for the inauguration. Hazirjian also will get to attend an inauguration ball.
Hazirjian said she was told she will get some face time with Obama on the train.
During the campaign, her focus was mobilizing members of the Cleveland-area's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. She wants to discuss toughening the nation's anti-discrimination laws. But she also wants to discuss a lighter subject: basketball.
"He took a really big political risk during the campaign by taking a deep 3-point shot. He could have missed it, but he sunk it," said Hazirjian, who studied at Duke University and is a basketball fan. "I would like to talk hoops with him."
She even gets to bring along her partner, Michelle, who asked not to have her last name published.
"My partner sees this as a reward for hardly seeing me for several months during the campaign," Hazirjian said, laughing.
She is confident that she and Michelle will pass muster with the Secret Service.
"I certainly hope so," she said. "I bought the dress already!"
What do you wear to an inaugural ball?
Hazirjian has found this the most stressful wardrobe decision since getting ready for her high school prom.
"That was a really big question for us," Hazirjian said.
She and her partner bought black gowns Monday, and Hazirjian picked a pair of black-and-silver patent-leather heels.