The Obamas shared within the grief of these killed in January’s tragic midair collision — specifically, a former White Home intern whose life was reduce brief.
In February, shortly after the aircraft crash, former President Barack Obama and former First Girl Michelle Obama reached out to the household of Kiah Duggins, a 30-year-old civil rights lawyer who as soon as interned with Michelle Obama’s Let Ladies Study initiative, to precise their condolences and replicate on her time working alongside them.
“Barack and I had been heartbroken to find out about Kiah’s passing, and we’re praying for you, your loved ones, and your complete Wichita group on this extremely troublesome time,” the Obamas wrote to her mother and father, Dr. Maurice and Gwen Duggins, in a letter shared with Folks journal.
“Kiah was, by each measure, distinctive,” the letter continued. “We obtained to know Kiah when she interned on the White Home. It didn’t take a lot to understand how particular she was. Kiah went above and past on each job.”
The Obamas went on to explain Kiah as somebody who excelled in her skilled pursuits and impressed the following technology by her dedication to justice and schooling. They informed her household they had been “deeply saddened” to be taught of her demise and that they hoped the recollections of her work and impression might supply “some measure of consolation” as they mourned.
The letter added, “Scripture tells us, “The sunshine shines within the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Within the days forward, we all know Kiah’s gentle will proceed to shine — giving us energy and displaying us the best way. We’re so grateful to have gotten to know her throughout her time right here on this earth, and to be among the many many, many lives she touched.”
On Wednesday, January 29, Duggins was amongst 67 folks killed when an American Airways jet collided midair with a Black Hawk helicopter, sending each plane into the Potomac River within the deadliest U.S. aviation catastrophe in additional than 20 years. She had simply returned to her hometown of Wichita, Kansas, to take care of her mom following breast most cancers surgical procedure and was flying again to her life in Washington, D.C., when the crash occurred. She’s survived by her mom, father, two youthful siblings, a boyfriend, and pals.
This month would have marked her thirty first birthday. Duggins had constructed a life rooted in service and advocacy. A Harvard Regulation graduate, she labored with the nonprofit Civil Rights Corps litigating instances nationwide and was making ready to start a school function at Howard College. Her mom informed Those who whilst a baby, Kiah stood up for others, and as an grownup, she carried the identical willpower in her profession.
Within the aftermath of her demise, Gwen informed the outlet she remains to be looking for solutions to important questions.
“Why me or why her? Why did she should die?” she posed, including, “These are solutions that I don’t suppose I’ll get on this facet of heaven.”
