Madelyn Dunham, Cornerstone of Barack Obama's Life

Throughout his campaign, Barack Obama often spoke about how his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, poured everything she had into helping raise him, so he could have a better life.  During the final stretch of the presidential race, Mr. Obama suspended his campaign briefly to visit his grandmother in Hawaii, who was fighting cancer.  Dunham died just two days before his historic election.  She was 86. 

"She raised her grandson to be like her, to know that with hard work and intelligence and education, you could grow up to be whatever you wanted to be," says Alice Dewey, a family friend.

Dunham mentored many women and men.  "She was wonderful.  She was tough.  She made you tow the line... On the otherhand, she was fair.  She was open, nice and outgoing.  She was always trying to help, and that's not always usual in the business community," recalls one attorney.

Dennis Ching now heads his own escrow company.  He says "I give her (Dunham) all the credit in the world for developing me as the president of my company." 

While Madelyn Dunham's role in developing the 44th president of the United States is being noted, many will always remember how much she influenced their lives, as well.

This piece includes interviews with people who were mentored by Madelyn Dunham in Hawaii's business community, and also family friends.

Two versions: Longer version 4:58. Shorter version 4:25.

Throughout his campaign, Barack Obama often spoke about how his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, poured everything she had into helping raise him, so he could have a better life.  During the final stretch of the presidential race, Mr. Obama suspended his campaign briefly to visit his grandmother in Hawaii, who was fighting cancer.  Dunham died just two days before his historic election.  She was 86. 

"She raised her grandson to be like her, to know that with hard work and intelligence and education, you could grow up to be whatever you wanted to be," says Alice Dewey, a family friend.

Dunham mentored many women and men.  "She was wonderful.  She was tough.  She made you tow the line... On the otherhand, she was fair.  She was open, nice and outgoing.  She was always trying to help, and that's not always usual in the business community," recalls one attorney.

Dennis Ching now heads his own escrow company.  He says "I give her (Dunham) all the credit in the world for developing me as the president of my company." 

While Madelyn Dunham's role in developing the 44th president of the United States is being noted, many will always remember how much she influenced their lives, as well.

This piece includes interviews with people who were mentored by Madelyn Dunham in Hawaii's business community, and also family friends.

Two versions: Longer version 4:58. Shorter version 4:25.