Edge Of History

Dan Barry: PHILADELPHIA

Her guests began arriving around 8:30 Thursday night, in anticipation of the moment. They told the doorman they were here to visit Doris Smith in 21-Q, and he sent them up to her well-appointed condominium, where African artwork sat beside a nicked statuette of William Penn she received years ago as an award for something or other.

Ms. Smith, 69 and stylish, with manicured nails and short, auburn hair, offered cups of homemade rum punch and invited people to sit anywhere. Although the sliding glass door provided a panoramic view of lights shimmering like diamonds on black velvet, her guests chose instead to face the television. Their wait, nearly ended, began.

"This is the night," said the hostess, daughter of sharecroppers.