Despite the cold, windy weather, a record crowd filled the Capitol lawn to support Jennifer Granholm as she took her oath of office as Michigan's first female governor Wednesday.

The crowd, unable to bottle their excitement, broke into applause well before Granholm was able to complete her oath.

Lt. Gov. John Cherry, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Attorney General Mike Cox and MSU Trustee Colleen McNamara were among the other government officials sworn in on New Year's Day.

After completing her oath of office, Granholm, sitting atop a black Corvette, led a procession to the Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave., where she delivered her inaugural address - a warm break from the speeches held on the Capitol steps.

In her address, Granholm said she plans to focus on the environment, health care for senior citizens, education and unemployment. She also reminded her supporters of Michigan's looming budget crisis.

"Government will be great and it will do great, but it will take much more than government to enhance our quality of life, especially in these tough, tight, trying times," she said.

On a brighter note, Granholm offered herself to the audience as evidence that anyone can accomplish anything - regardless of gender, national origin or ethnicity.

"I stand before you as living proof that the door is open to every single one of you in this room. Any one of us can get elected, and every one of us can elect to serve this Michigan family," she said.

For more on this story please see Monday's edition of The State News.