Dannie Mae

For Dannie Mae McKibbins this October’s work project won’t be her first time meeting President Jimmy Carter. When Dannie was a student at the University of Minnesota, Carter spoke to a large group of students in her nursing program. At the end of the speech he invited "Dannie from Georgia" to join him for a cup of coffee. Carter learned that Dannie was the first African American to enroll in the school’s nursing program and that she grew up not far from where Carter was living at the time.

"I was just shocked", said Dannie. "Not in my wildest imagination did I think a black girl from Georgia would get the chance to meet the president."

This October volunteers and staff from Twin Cities Habitat’s A Brush with Kindness Program will help Dannie paint her home and make minor repairs to the siding and fascia of her garage. Due to her age and limited income she is need of assistance maintaining her home.

"I’ve been so impressed with good people over there at Habitat," said Dannie. "Just the other day a woman stopped by and we talked about planting some bushes out in front before the help comes this fall."

And the help will come with a special guest. Dannie’s home has been selected as one of two venues that will host President Carter while he is in the Twin Cities. Dannie has plans for making this a reunion of sorts.

"I would love to have President Carter come into my home for coffee, like we did all those years back," said Dannie. "That being said I’m going to have to get cleaning right away."