Tens of thousands of volunteers across America knocked on doors in a bid to get Barack Obama into the White House — and there were plenty of Bermudians among them.

From Islanders who have lived in the States for decades, to those who travelled there specifically in the last few weeks to help, all were celebrating last night as the Democratic contender seized the presidency.

Mother-of-one Dawn Simmons, 45, from Sandys, has been in Naples, Florida, for more than a week with fellow Bermudians, including former PLP deputy leader Walter Roberts.

The group has been canvassing voters and urging citizens to get to the polls and choose Mr. Obama. Mrs. Simmons, chairman of the PLP's last election campaign committee, told The Royal Gazette she was proud to have been a part of such an historic event.

"When you listen to him speak, when you hear his vision, when you see the way the American people have responded to the way he speaks, his programmes, it is inspiring," she said. "What really touches you is when you see him with his family and how important his family is to him."

Phyllis Dowling-McCants, 66, an education consultant originally from St. George's, who has lived in the States for 40 years, helped others to vote for Mr. Obama but could not do so herself as she has never taken American citizenship.

Asked why she volunteered, she said: "Simply because I grew up at the time that there was so much discrimination and this is history in the making."

The Howard University graduate, who lives in Virginia Beach, said of Mr. Obama: "I believe in his policies, I believe he speaks from the heart. He just relates and resonates with the universe."

Her friend Barbara Gibbons-Creed, 77, who grew up in Spanish Point and has also been in the States for 40 years, explained why she voted for Mr. Obama.

"He just seems to be a very honest person and I just feel good about his thoughts for the country because of his background," said the retired school secretary and mother-of-one.

Terrylynn Tyrell, originally from Southampton, helped the Obama team in Baltimore, where she lives, becoming a campaign captain and training other volunteers.

The 35-year-old public policy advocate was celebrating last night at a party thrown by the Maryland Democratic Party.

"It's very exciting," said Dr. Tyrell. "I was just inspired by the campaign. When you walk into the office there are multiple shades of people, people from different backgrounds, a lot of foreigners. There is so much energy, it's amazing."

Bermudian Spencer Critchley, 50, is a communications consultant who has worked in Mr. Obama's campaign team for the past year.

His sister Wendy Davis Johnson watched the results unfold at her home in Paget last night, thinking of how much their late father David, a former permanent secretary for health and social services, would like to have seen the result.

"He was very committed his whole life to race relations," she said. "My whole family has been watching this thinking of my dad and how he would have loved every second. Spencer has dropped everything for the last year. He was just so inspired by Obama."