Homeless Woman's Plea Brings Offers of Help

Homeless woman helped after asking Obama at rally

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 11, 2009 6:05 PM CST

(Newser) – A homeless woman who raised her hand during President Obama’s visit to Fort Myers did so because she needed help. But Henrietta Hughes probably didn’t expect to become the “face of the economic crisis,” as one brand-new website dedicated to the 61-year-old’s plight declared, CNN reports. "I have an urgent need, unemployment and homelessness, a very small vehicle for my family and I to live in," Hughes told Obama, who came off stage to give her a kiss and encouragement.

Hughes has received an offer to stay in a house owned by the wife of a state lawmaker, and other offers have followed. "I even received a phone call from a lady in Ocala wanting to offer her $50 a month,” said Fort Myers Mayor Jim Humphrey. Some conservative bloggers think the whole affair seems suspiciously stage-managed, but a health policy expert wrote on the Huffington Post that Hughes' request "only highlights issues of homelessness that will surely get worse."

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

President Barack Obama steps off the stage to take a question from Henrietta Hughes, during a town hall style meeting, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, at Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers, Fla. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

President Barack Obama hugs Henrietta Hughes after he stepped off the stage to take a question from her during a town hall meeting to discuss the economy, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, in Fort Myers, Fla. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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Barack Obama visits Fort Myers Florida and hears real life crisis affecting people. One of the most dramatic came from Henrietta Hughes who is living in her car. (cheneywatch)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 13 comments

woodyTX

Feb 12, 2009 7:01 PM CST

I have to say your comments are very curious MrsK. First you call a person you've never met a loser then in the next sentence you say you really don't know much about her. Re-read your note and think about it please.........you are revealing a lot about yourself here........

riffran

Feb 12, 2009 5:36 AM CST

I heard the audio....I know there are a lot of people in bad shape out there...but jeez, that was pathetic

Shannonals

Feb 12, 2009 3:27 AM CST

Regardless of whether this was staged or not, the plight faces many Americans.

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Florida • Barack Obama • recession • homeless • Obama administration

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Homeless Woman's Plea Brings Offers of Help