Who: Joe Richman, producer for Radio Diaries and frequent contributor to National Public Radio, New York
"A time of trouble is a time ripe for reinvention and rethinking...
so I'm optimistic that we as a country may start feeling like we're in the same boat together."
To see Richman's award-winning work on Nelson Mandela, Mexico 1968 and Thembi's AIDS diary, go to www.radiodiaries.org
Who: Danielle Shepherd, director of parent programs, Swarthmore College, PA
I am happy that we have a new President-elect and optimistic that he will do all he can to get us out of the mess we’re in.
Who: Carole Tarrant, editor, Roanoke Times, Roanoke, VA
I'm just an optimist by nature. And this election season once again has shown there's a huge appetite for news -- we just have another challenging year ahead of wrapping our heads around the changes and responding to them wisely. I'm still confident we can do that.
Who: Tom Kohler, director, Citizen Advocacy, Savannah, GA
I am optimistic about the number of people who had never voted before who came out and voted this election.
The number of people who as they move through their 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and beyond will be giving time and creativity to others.
The possible emergence of a solar economy in the next 25 years….
The possibility of pot being legalized for people over 70 years old.
That Obama reminds America what its like to have a leader that can think and articulate.