PHOTO ALBUM

Viola Bowen, 102 Margaret Norwood, 104

Cora Davis Boyd, 101 Delsie Edwards, 100

PHOTO ALBUM

Vanilla Beane, 101

Sophie Rose Ruotolo, 100

Clifford Thomas, 101 Onra Henderson, 100

PHOTO ALBUM

Willie Covington, 100

Aminta R. Knight, 100

Marilee Asher, 107

Evelyn McKenly, 100

FROM THE HONORABLE MURIEL BOWSER

Sincerely,

Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington, DC

right from home; from ensuring every senior who needs one gets a home-delivered meal, to creating new programs like Call & Talk where all seniors can engage and connect with our team on a personal level – it is important to me that we are keeping you at the forefront of the work my Administration does. It is not only my duty, but my great honor, to make sure I do everything I can for those like you who have made Washington, DC the city it is today. We may not have had the big celebration to honor you in person, but today, and every day we celebrate you. We acknowledge you and we recognize you for making Washington, DC the very best city in the world! I hope you enjoy learning about each other by reading the biographies in this booklet. And, I hope you enjoy wearing the DC Centenarian medallion proudly. Stay safe and remember: we are in this together and we will get through this together. Sincerely, Muriel Bowser Mayor

right from home; from ensuring every senior who needs one gets a home-delivered meal, to creating new programs like Call & Talk where all seniors can engage and connect with our team on a personal level – it is important to me that we are keeping you at the forefront of the work my Administration does. It is not only my duty, but my great honor, to make sure I do everything I can for those like you who have made Washington, DC the city it is today. We may not have had the big celebration to honor you in person, but today, and every day we celebrate you. We acknowledge you and we recognize you for making Washington, DC the very best city in the world! I hope you enjoy learning about each other by reading the biographies in this booklet. And, I hope you enjoy wearing the DC Centenarian medallion proudly. Stay safe and remember: we are in this together and we will get through this together.

Dear Centenarians, This year has been quite a journey for all of us. Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency, regrettably, I did not get a chance to host one of my favorite events of the year – the 34th Annual Salute to District of Columbia Centenarians. However, I am gratified that the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) remains committed to honoring you—our wonderful city’s beautiful Centenarians! Your health and welfare are my top priorities. That’s why, throughout the pandemic, we have done everything we can to ensure that our seniors are safe, engaged, and connected. From working with local grocers and businesses to dedicating special shopping hours just for seniors, to partnering with the Department of Parks and Recreation to curate daily workouts you can tune into right from home; from ensuring every senior who needs one gets a home-delivered meal, to creating new programs like Call & Talk where all seniors can engage and connect with our team on a personal level – it is important to me that we are keeping you at the forefront of the work my Administration does. It is not only my duty, but my great honor, to make sure I do everything I can for those like you who have made Washington, DC the city it is today. We may not have had the big celebration to honor you in person, but today, and every day we celebrate you. We acknowledge you and we recognize you for making Washington, DC the very best city in the world! I hope you enjoy learning about each other by reading the biographies in this booklet. And, I hope you enjoy wearing the DC Centenarian medallion proudly. Stay safe and remember: we are in this together and we will get through this together.

Muriel Bowser Mayor

FROM DIRECTOR LAURA NEWLAND

Thank you for showing all of us what it means to live boldly at every age! Congratulations on this milestone, and I look forward to celebrating you in person, soon. With Gratitude,

Laura Newland

Laura Newland, Director, DACL

Dear Centenarians, The Department of Aging and Community Living has been celebrating the legacy of our centenarians for the past 33 years. Our 34th annual centenarian celebration this year is a little different, but we continue to applaud you for your contributions and the many ways you’ve made Washington, DC the greatest city in the world! Our centenarians are the backbone of our city. Perhaps more than any other year, your lives are a reminder of who we can be individually and together at our best. You’ve raised families, supported our country during times of war, and shared your talents with the world. You’ve built up communities, taught generations of students, and made meals for your neighbors. You’ve seen this city through our highs, our lows, and all the times in between. We’re so proud to stand on the shoulders of such greatness.

Catherine Adams Marilee Asher Willie Mae Avery Dorothy Baker Vanilla Beane Norine Berryman Lilian Bethel Dorothy Boggess Viola Bowen Catherine Brant Almeda Carroll Vivian Coard Willie Coleman Willie Covington Dora Credle Cora Davis-Boyd Delsie Edwards Eva Gale Isle Grainger* Sarah Griffin Luevenia Hall Marion Harrell Viola Harrison* Onra Henderson

Mable Henson Amanda Hubbard-Anderson Vivian Johnson Juette Johnson-Day Elizabeth Klee Aminta Knight Thelma Lane* Ruth Matthews Ellen Mattingly-Brown Eva Mae Williams-McLeod Beatrice McCabe* Hilda McDougald Evelyn McKenly Jan Moore Margaret Norwood Gladys Raper Sophie Rose-Ruotolo Ruth Smith Seleria Smith Therrell Smith Ruth Terrell-Penn Clifford Thomas Harrison White Sarah Yerkes

*Biographical information was not received for this centenarian in time for the printing of this program. Visit dacl.dc.gov for updates.

LIST OF 2020 CENTENARIANS

Catherine Adams Ms. Catherine Adams was born April 18, 1918 in Southwest Washington, DC and has remained a resident since birth. She is the second oldest of five children. She attended District of Columbia Public Schools and was baptized and raised in the Catholic Church. After completion of school, she worked as a Domestic for over 50 years until her health prevented her from continuing. She was married and widowed twice and is the mother of two sons (one preceded in death) and one daughter. Ms. Adams is a resident of the Carroll Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Washington, DC, where, she continues to be active and thrives. As the resident social butterfly, she’s gone on numerous field trips, began a prayer group, joined the choir, and was crowned the Floor Queen two years in a row. She also serves as the floor resident representative in facility meetings. She loves walking (when able) or moving around the facility and outdoors in her wheelchair. She is currently a member of the Central Baptist Church of Camp Springs under the Pastorship of Reverend Lincoln M. Burruss, Jr. where she was crowned Mother of the Church. In April 2018, she was dedicated and named as the church Centenarian upon her 100th birthday. Ms. Adams is the grandmother of five, the great-grandmother of five, and the great-great grandmother of nine. She is her family’s matriarch and they are so proud of all her accomplishments and her mere determination to do all she can to help someone along the way. She loves being of service to her family—particularly her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, as well as her siblings, nieces, nephews and other close friends. She has always been cheerful and willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. When asked the secret to her health and longevity, she says, “No drinking, no smoking, and no worrying!”

CENTENARIANS

Marilee Asher

Ms. Marilee Asher was born November 17, 1912 in Chicago, Illinois to Frank and Bonnie Harris. She is the fifth child and was 20 years younger than her oldest brother. Her father, Frank Harris, was the treasurer for the Chicago House Wrecking Company, which later became the Harris Brothers Company. She moved to Washington, DC during World War II. Ms. Asher graduated from The University of Chicago in 1933. She then began working for the Cook County Social Service Department. Soon after, Ms. Asher met her first husband, Bernie Shapiro, at a party. The pair were soon married at her childhood home. The couple went on to have two children, Harvey and Joan. Shortly after marrying, Ms. Asher came upon what would become her life’s passion – sculpture. In a Works Progress Administration (WPA) class in a basement of a local school, she discovered sculpture and fell in love with it.

Bernie passed away when he was 69. Years later, Ms. Asher rekindled a friendship with her childhood friend Robert Asher, who grew up just one block away from Ms. Asher in Chicago. The two began a six-year courtship and married in 1993. Ms. Asher has one grandchild.

Through all of the changes in her life, one thing remained constant for Ms. Asher– her art. While she has experimented with many mediums, she discovered that her passion was sculpting. Ms. Asher enrolled in a class at the Corcoran School of Art and is now a digital artist as well.

When she turned 100, Ms. Asher decided to record some of her memories for her children. With the help of a nephew and later a cousin, those memories eventually became her autobiography, adding “author” to the list of Ms. Asher’s many talents.

CENTENARIANS

Willie Mae Avery Ms. Willie Mae Avery was born May 28, 1915 in Newton, North Carolina to Fred Avery and Eva Avery. Ms. Avery attended grade school up until the eighth grade. Ms. Avery’s mother, Eva, moved to Northwest, Washington DC in 1937 and raised Ms. Avery and her four siblings as a single mother. As a young woman, Ms. Avery was interested in the medical field. She always wanted to work as an operating room technician. She studied at the George Washington Hospital for three years and worked her way up to becoming a medical technician. Later in her career, she trained to be an operating room technician. After retiring in the mid-1980's, Ms. Avery became a missionary at the Walker Memorial Baptist Church. Today, Ms. Avery enjoys spending time at home, reading, and being a beacon of hope and inspiration to her peers. When asked what she enjoys most, Ms. Avery will always say, “I like helping me.”

CENTENARIANS

Dorothy Baker

Ms. Dorothy Baker was born March 21, 1920 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Delia and H.A. Duncan. She had one sibling. She attended McDonough High School #35 in downtown New Orleans and graduated in 1938. Upon graduation, she attended business school for one year at Xavier University. Ms. Baker moved to Washington, DC in 1945 and began working for the Department of Defense. She later married Mr. Charles Baker. The pair had one child. After she left her position at the Department of Defense, she began working for the American Postal Workers Union where she retired in 1985. For most of her life, Ms. Baker has loved to dance. She enjoys dancing to all types of music, but one genre that has always stood out to her was blues. She is also a seamstress and has been making clothes since she was a child. Her niece has always admired her sewing. Today, Ms. Baker attends St. John Catholic Church La Salle in Northeast Washington, DC. She is the grandmother of one and the great-grandmother of three. One of her most recent adventures was on a cruise to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, which is also one of her favorite places to visit.

CENTENARIANS

Vanilla Beane

Ms. Vanilla Beane was born September 13, 1919 in Wilson, North Carolina. She is the youngest of seven children. Ms. Powell moved to Washington, DC in 1942 where she met her husband, Willie Beane. In the 1950s, she worked in the downtown Washington Millinery Supply as a seamstress. This is where she sharpened her craft. Ms. Beane began her millinery career as a hobby in 1956 while working as an elevator operator in the building where J.S. Ebert Millinery Supply Co. (Washington Millinery Supply Manufacturers) was once located. One day, she decided to go to the millinery supply company and buy a hat frame and some materials to design a hat of her own. Not only did she enjoy designing the hat, she discovered that she was naturally gifted in the craft. The owners were so impressed with her talents that they offered her a job with the company. After time and dedication, she perfected her craft and also received formal training at Roosevelt Night School. After leaving the company, Ms. Beane continued to passionately make hats while working as a mail clerk for the General Services Administration. She became a member of the National Association of Fashion and Accessory Designers (NAFAD) in 1959. In 1979, she opened Bené Millinery & Bridal Supplies in Ward 4, serving the African American community that kept the tradition of ornate hats alive, especially in church. Beane’s custom-made designs could cost up to $500. Ms. Beane is an internationally recognized milliner with over 60 years of experience in an ever-changing industry. Today, a 3-D replica of one of her hats is on display at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Ms. Beane is the proud mother of three children – Margaret L. Seymour, Esq., Linda R. Jefferson, and Willie G. Beane, Jr. She has seven grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. She is a longtime, faithful member of Gethsemane Baptist Church in NW DC. She has received many awards for her community service and business achievements, including induction into the National Association of Fashion and Accessory Designers’ Hall of Fame in 1975. DC proclaimed November 22, 2003, as “Vanilla Beane Day.

CENTENARIANS

Norine Berryman Ms. Norine C. Berryman was born August 2, 1917 in Southwest, Washington, DC and was raised by her mother, Norine A. Berryman. She has one brother. Ms. Berryman began work as a furrier and seamstress in the District. Following her tenure as a furrier, she began working at the University of Maryland (UMD). At UMD, she supervised the environmental services department and served as a den mother/Resident Assistant for the male athlete’s dormitories. She retired from UMD after working there for 35 years. Ms. Berryman was the first woman taxi driver in the District. On her 100th birthday, she received a letter from the Washington, DC taxi-cab commission affirming that she was the first woman taxi driver in the city. She has also done community work with the Urban League and was the creator of two senior programming activities at Ward 6 recreation centers. Ms. Berryman had one child with Louis Jordan. She is the grandmother of five, great-grandmother of eight, and great-great grandmother of 11. One thing that Ms. Berryman loves to do is make people laugh and smile. She attends Metropolitan Wesley AME Zion and has been a member for 78 years. She also loves to dance. She prides herself on teaching her grandchildren how to do the electric slide. Simply put, her gift is community service – she loves being a source of joy, inspiration, and love to those around her. And she LOVES to eat crabs.

CENTENARIANS

Lilian Bethel

Ms. Lillian Bethel was born December 4, 1919 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland to Bertha and Snowden Jones. She is the youngest of eight siblings. She graduated from the Bowie State Teachers College in 1945 and received her master’s degree at Georgetown University. Soon after, Ms. Bethel met William H. Bethel Jr. and the pair married. William was in the military and lived in Germany for a year, and Ms. Bethel joined him. She later moved to her home in the District where she has been since 1956. Ms. Bethel worked as an elementary school teacher and taught English to foreign exchange students. She also worked at Saint Francis La Salle Catholic, in Northwest, Washington, DC and is still a member of Sodality – a women’s organization within the church. She is president of the Tuskegee Airman’s Wives Auxiliary (TAWA) and a proud member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Ms. Bethel has one child, Karen, one grandson, Charles, and is the great-grandmother of three. Today, Ms. Bethel loves reading Danielle Steele’s books and loves game shows like Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy.

CENTENARIANS

Dorothy Boggess Mrs. Dorothy M. Boggess was born May 30, 1917 in Louisville, Kentucky to Hattie and Elmore Marks. She graduated from Central High School in Louisville, Kentucky and earned a degree in Sociology from Kentucky State University. She is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. While studying social work at the former University of Atlanta, Mrs. Boggess was required to move to Washington, DC to work for the District’s War Department in 1941. She resided at the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) with other women who came to DC for work. After ten years of work, Mrs. Boggess assumed employment as a Social Worker and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. She retired in 1976. Mrs. Dorothy married George Boggess on November 11, 1942. Of that union, they have one son, one daughter-in-law, and two teenage grandchildren. In 2007, Mrs. Boggess responded to the Washington Post article about young white women who had come to Washington, DC to work during World War II. She pointed out that the newspaper failed to mention similar contributions made by African American women. The Washington Post provided her an opportunity to write an article about the African American women who came to DC and they included a photo of the young industrious Dorothy Boggess. Her early career is documented in American Dream Deferred: Black Federal Workers in Washington, D.C. 1941-1981, written by Frederick W. Gooding. During the early to mid-2000s, Mrs. Boggess spent much of her time taking care of her husband George Boggess, who was a deacon at their church, Zion Baptist Church. Mrs. Boggess was a member of the Wednesday noon day Bible Class and a former member of the Charles B. Whittaker Culture Club. Mrs. Boggess is very proud of her 2002 publication of "I Wish You Were Here," which is about the many places she’s traveled over the years. She enjoys reading and socializing with neighbors. In 2014, she was formally recognized as a Diamond Soror with Timeless Service at a major sorority conference. She has continued her service as an active member of the Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated located in Washington, DC. Mrs. Boggess often shares "God has been so good to me and my family."

CENTENARIANS

Viola Bowen Ms. Viola Maphis Bowen was born May 11, 1918 in Clifton, North Carolina to Mittie and John Henry Maphis. She is the sixth of nine children. She graduated from Samson County High School. She moved to Washington, DC in 1945 to attend the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). After living in the District for a while, Ms. Bowen went to business school and got a job with the Department of the Army. She later began working for the Department of the Navy’s meteorological department. She retired in 1974. Ms. Bowen married James Bowen Sr. and the two had three children. Ms. Bowen began participating in the advisory neighborhood commission when the district first elected ANC 8B04 in Ward 8 and served under Marion Barry’s Commission for Women. She was also a girl scout troop leader for 60 years in Ward 8. She is a member of Florida Avenue Baptist Church and is a former Sunday school teacher, superintendent, and choir member. Today, Ms. Bowen is a member of the Washington Senior Wellness Center and has been a member since 1986. She is the grandmother of seven and the great grandmother of six. She enjoys working on her puzzles and calling her church members, especially during the public health emergency.

CENTENARIANS

Catherine Brant Ms. Catherine Brant was born October 1919 in Boston, Massachusetts to Anton and Frieda Schatz. She graduated from Girl’s Latin School in Boston and graduated from Brown University in June 1940 with a major in psychology. After college, Ms. Brant worked as an order clerk at a machinery company in Boston supplying pumps, motors, and other automobile equipment to Oak Ridge, Tennessee for the Manhattan Project. In 1943, she married Earl E. Brant and the pair moved to Philadelphia, where she and her husband attended medical school. In 1947, her husband went overseas to Korea in the US Army and ran a field hospital, while she returned to Boston and resumed work at her previous job. After service, the family moved to Ohio, then later moved to New York. In New York she had two daughters. She became interested in teaching high schoolers, so she began working as a reading specialist at Mamaroneck High School, where she taught students who had reading challenges. It was very rewarding for her to help these teenagers learn how to read. In 1992, Ms. Brant made her last move to Washington, DC to settle with her daughter. She became a volunteer at the Heurich House library in an effort to learn about her new city and re-discover historical moments. She was also involved with the library committee of the National Presbyterian Church, where she is still a member. She has lived in the District for 28 years. One moment that Ms. Brant will always remember is serving as a film critic of pre-released movies in NYC for the Motion Picture Council of Mamaroneck, NY. Another lifelong memory that she has is visiting the Soviet Union in1967 as part of the first US medical tour invited to observe Soviet hospitals and meet with medical staff in Moscow and Leningrad. In her spare time, Ms. Brant enjoys watching television with her daughter, engaging in lively discussions, doing crossword puzzles, reading The New Yorker and Smithsonian magazine, and playing with the family’s big, orange, barn cat.

CENTENARIANS

Almeda Carroll Mrs. Almeda Newman Carroll was born on April 4, 1920, in Halifax County, North Carolina, to Reverend Ira David and Madgie Scott. She is the second oldest of eight. As a child, she and many of her siblings worked on the farm while attending primary and secondary school. Mrs. Carroll moved to Washington, DC almost 80 years ago. In DC, she landed employment early and began serving the community for over 30 years as a dental hygienist, earning the respect of notables such as the Kennedy and Nixon presidential families, congressmen, and ambassadors, during a time of extreme racial inequality. Mrs. Carroll married twice and had seven children. She was also instrumental in helping to raise more than ten children who she did not birth. Because of her loving spirit, she frequently opened her home to other family members and friends who were in transition. Mrs. Carroll’s faith has helped her to triumph over many insurmountable life challenges to become the stronghold of her family. As a young woman, she endured the loss of both her husband and 9-year-old son in a boating accident. Still, she was blessed to continue providing for her family and to find joy and peace later in life. Although she is no longer able to attend weekly services, she is still a member of Metropolitan Seventh Day Adventist Church. She has received awards from Maryland Congressional Representatives of Brandywine (on behalf of the Newman Family) and Baltimore jurisdictions. Mrs. Carroll is the matriarch of her family, mother of seven, grandmother of 13, great-grandmother of 12, and great-great grandmother of two. Her village has celebrated her life for many years. She enjoys spending time with her family, telling stories from the past, watching Joel Osteen, singing, listening to music, and even dancing a little.

CENTENARIANS

Vivian Coard Vivian Coard was born August 3, 1916 in Accomac, Virginia to George and Mouad Coard. She has four siblings. At a very young age, her family moved to Oxon Hill, MD, then to Washington, DC. She graduated from Dunbar High School and later graduated from the former Miner Teachers College in Washington, DC. Ms. Coard worked for the Department of the Army for 35 ½ years and retired in the 1960s. She also worked in real estate, receiving her license from American University. All of Ms. Coard’s loved ones consider her a world traveler. She has visited Egypt, Alaska, Hawaii, and traveled the South Pacific for 31 days. The excursions included visits to Thailand, Japan, and more. She has also spent 31 days in Europe, traveling to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Switzerland, and Spain. Today, Ms. Coard enjoys playing a lot of bridge, enjoys meals and happy hour, reads quite a bit, and enjoys crossword puzzles.

CENTENARIANS

Willie Coleman Mr. Willie Coleman was born May 16, 1920 in Charlotte, North Carolina and moved to Washington, DC when he was six months old. He was educated in DC Public Schools until the eighth grade, when he had to leave school due to the illness of his mother. During this time, he took various small jobs to support his mother and baby sister. Mr. Coleman entered the United States Army on August 4, 1942. He was stationed at Avon Park Air Force Range and was then detailed to the Air Force as an ambulance driver. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Private First Class (PFC) on March 23, 1943. He then entered the General Services Administration’s Federal Protective Service, rising to the rank of Sargent. During his career, he was among one of the first African Americans selected to guard President John F. Kennedy. Some of Mr. Coleman’s past service work includes serving as a Shriner and Mason at Mecca Temple, Holy Royal Arch, and the Jonathan Davis Consistory. He is currently a member of John Wesley A.M.E Zion Church and the United Consistory.

CENTENARIANS

Willie Covington Willie Covington was born May 19, 1920 in McColl, South Carolina to Walter and Ella Covington – he was their first son. The Covington family later moved to Dunn, North Carolina where he was raised and lived until he was 21 years old. In 1941, Mr. Covington ventured to Washington, DC, where he found a job at the Southern Dairy Ice Cream Co. After working there for a brief period, he moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1943 where he pursued an education in machinery and, later, landed a job at General Motors Fisher Body. His training was in working on automobiles but after World War II, he began working on repairing machine guns for the Navy. After the war ended, Willie took an interest in music and studied voice training. While in Detroit, work began to grow scarce, so in 1945 Mr. Covington went back home to North Carolina and began working in broadcasting. He studied a trade at WCKB radio station, and after completing his training, he was given an opportunity to host the evening radio broadcast. Mr. Covington always loved to sing, so in 1947, he came back to Washington, DC and decided to put his voice to the test. He joined the National Negro Opera Company (NNOC) and began to perform and travel. During one of his performances in 1950, Mr. Covington met Nellie Marie Marshall, the daughter of the late Reverend John T. Marshall, co-founder of Matthew Memorial Baptist Church. During this time, Nellie was studying at Hampton University. The two kept in contact for a few years and later began a courtship. The couple married in 1959. After a short stay with NNOC, Mr. Covington began working with the US Department of Interior’s Park Service in 1961. While working there, he learned carpentry and locksmithing. It is there where Mr. Covington discovered his passion for woodworking and carving. He worked there for 30 years and later retired in 1989. Mr. Covington has been a District resident for 70 years and is an active resident of Ward 7. He is a proud supporter and financial donor to several local charities, Christian organizations, political groups, and federal endowment foundations.

CENTENARIANS

Dora Credle Ms. Dora Sylvia Credle was born July 21, 1911 in Wilson, North Carolina to Emma Mincey and William Samuel Branes. She has six siblings. Her father was a reverend at Wilson Memorial Church in Wilson, North Carolina. She graduated from Wilson High School in North Carolina. Early in her adulthood, Ms. Credle met her husband, Raymond Credle while working as a domestic for a family in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Ms, Credle was the cook and her husband was the chauffeur. In 1940, Ms. Credle moved to Washington, DC when her husband found a better job in the city. Ms. Credle quickly became a homemaker, raising the couple’s five children. Known for her kind personality, Ms. Credle also loves to cook and bake from scratch. Macaroni and cheese is one of her favorite dishes to bake. Today, Ms. Credle is the grandmother of eight, and the great-grandmother of 12, all of whom she loves dearly. In her spare time, she enjoys working around the house, and still stays very busy and active. She loves doing community work for children and for DC Public Schools.

CENTENARIANS

Cora Davis-Boyd Ms. Cora Davis-Boyd was born May 28, 1919 in Birmingham, Alabama to Charlie Jenkins and Helen Ross Jenkins. She is one of six children. She graduated from Wendell Phillips High School in Chicago, Illinois. In her teenage years, Ms. Davis-Boyd was the only girl on an all-boys baseball team where she excelled as a center fielder. During World War II, she was assigned as production supervisor for an all-White male tool factory. She had courage, confidence, a seeking spirit, and openness to new experiences. She worked 40 years for the United States Department of Agriculture and Interstate Commerce Commission in records management. Ms. Davis-Boyd was married twice. Her first marriage was with Howard Allen Davis. Her second marriage was with Samuel Herbert Boyd. She has two children, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Ms. Davis-Boyd moved to DC in 2012 at the age of 93 after moving from Chicago to live in the secure comfort of her daughter Kathleen and son-in-law’s home, along with her son. She also enjoys spending time with her relatives that live nearby – Davis, Boyd, and Dockett. At the age of 100, Ms. Davis-Boyd joined the Soka Gakkai International-USA world peace organization and became a Buddhist. Today, her family always explains how they love her warm smile, her easy laughter, and her open embracing spirit. She enjoys watching her television, having dialogue with family and close friends, and attending Zoom meetings with her SGI community. She also likes to meet new people and spend time with family. She is active, exciting, and is surrounded by a rich network of loving family and friends.

CENTENARIANS

Delsie Edwards Ms. Delsie A. Edwards was born September 25, 1919 in St. Katherine, Jamaica to Christiana Bryan and Ezekiel Bryan. She has eight siblings. Ms. Edwards married Bertie Edwards and they had 12 children, including one pair of twins. She worked as a seamstress and owned a dress shop in Jamaica for years. She eventually moved to Washington, DC in 1977 to live with her daughter, who relocated to the United States some years earlier. While in DC, Ms. Edwards worked as a domestic and a babysitter, while continuing to work as a seamstress on the side. Ms. Edwards has always loved to sing and is a member of Shiloh Baptist Church. She sang in their choir for more than 25 years and also sang Christmas carols downtown in the District. Today, Ms. Edwards is the grandmother of 20, the great-grandmother of 20, and the great-great-grandmother of one. She loves spending time with her family and having them gather for events.

CENTENARIANS

Eva Gale

Ms. Eva Gale was born June 1, 1919 in Lancaster, South Carolina to David and Carrie Patterson. She is the 11th of 12 children. She graduated from Lancaster High School and moved to Washington, DC in 1953 during the Great Migration. Before her venture to the District, she married Jack Gale and the pair had four children. Ms. Gale worked various jobs, but she worked mostly as a homemaker until she retired in the 1970s. One job that stood out to her most throughout her career was her job at the Shell Plant in South Carolina during World War II. She says that it was her most interesting job! Today, she loves to garden and has been gardening for decades. She is also known in her community for her amazing biscuits – she made them every day for years. Today, Ms. Gale is the grandmother of eight, the great-grandmother of four, and is the great-great-grandmother of two. She still loves to cook and eat. She also likes to travel in and out of the country. In her spare time, she enjoys reading newspapers.

CENTENARIANS

Sarah Griffin Ms. Sarah Griffin was born May 5, 1917 in Bamberg, South Carolina to Mary and Jacob Ransom. She graduated from Hampton High School in Bamberg, South Carolina. Upon World War II, the Griffin Family moved to Fort Belvoir, Virginia where Ms. Griffin’s father served in the Army. While in the area, she began working as a beautician. She eventually moved to Washington, DC and still calls the city home today. Ms. Griffin married Willie Eugene Griffin and had three children. Today, she has one grandchild and four great-grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys reading the Washington Post and the Bamberg Newspaper, watching the Game Show Network, and doing word-book puzzles. Her family describes her as a very family oriented, kind, loving, and giving person.

CENTENARIANS

Luevenia Hall Ms. Luevenia Hall was born April 15, 1920 in Akin County, South Carolina to Samuel and Elizabeth Hall. She is one of five children. She attended school until the eighth grade and moved to Washington, DC in 1942 for work. She married Walter Hall and the pair had two children. When she moved to DC, she went from making $10 a week to $12 a week. At the age of 94, Ms. Hall retired. Some of her jobs included being a seamstress and domestic work. Today, Ms. Hall is the grandmother of nine, the great-grandmother of 17, and the great-great-grandmother of 7. In her spare time she likes to watch TV, crochet, and go for walks. She attends Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Northeast Washington, DC.

CENTENARIANS

Marion Harrell Ms. Marion Harrell was born January 2, 1917 in North Carolina. She moved to Washington, DC in the 1940s for work. Ms. Harrell served in the Army for two years as a nursing assistant and worked for the Federal Government until she retired in the 1970s. Later in life, she adopted one son. In her life, Ms. Harrell enjoyed traveling. She currently is a member of the Washington Senior Wellness Center and is an active member of their book club. She enjoys reading, watching TV, and writing poems. She also loves to attend church.

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Onra Henderson Mrs. Onra Henderson Camp Dillard was born May 9, 1920 in Dudley, North Carolina to Henry Lee Henderson and Christine Lenora Aldridge Henderson. She is the second child and eldest daughter of eight children. As a child, Mrs. Henderson Dillard joined the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Dudley, a church founded by her ancestors. She was educated in the public schools of Wayne County, graduating from Dillard High School and the historic Palmer Memorial Institute near Greensboro, North Carolina. Mrs. Henderson Dillard married William Homer Camp on December 31, 1938, in Raleigh, North Carolina, and to this union was born a son, William Homer Camp Jr. They moved to Southeast Washington, DC in 1940 during the Great Migration. She later remarried to Jackson Dillard in October 1945. She supported the nation’s war efforts through employment at the Department of the Navy and continued her career in the Navy Department as a supply officer for more than 30 years. She joined People’s Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, DC, in the early 1940s, beginning a lifelong commitment to Christ-centered service that included positions as president of the Evangelism and Outreach Committee, committee member of the search committee for senior and associate pastors, member and secretary of the Board of Trustees, confirmation class teacher, and deacon.

Mrs. Henderson Dillard has a distinguished record of service within the Congregationalist UCC denomination, including its Potomac Association and Central Atlantic Conference, and has represented the UCC with the Interfaith Conference in Washington, DC. She has been an activist on behalf of her Capitol Hill community as a member of the Community Council, helping to stop construction that would have displaced many families and to establish 31 libraries in elementary schools.

Today, Mrs. Henderson Dillard is a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and cousin to many who cherish her.

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Mable Henson

Ms. Mable Henson was born December 8, 1911 in Charles County, Maryland to Martha and William Hurd. She moved to Washington, DC in her 20’s. Ms. Henson prides herself as a family woman. She enjoys watching television. One of her favorite channels to watch is WUSA9. She also loves to eat. When time permits, she loves to visit Golden Corral and enjoy a fresh buffet.

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Amanda Hubbard-Anderson

Ms. Amanda Veronica Hubbard-Anderson was born July 1, 1914 in Long Island, Virginia. She grew up in Hampton, Virginia and spent some of her early life in West Virginia. She graduated from Bluefield State College in Bluefield, West Virginia. Ms. Hubbard-Anderson married Douglas Anderson and the pair had two daughters. She worked as a teacher for West Virginia Public Schools for 20 years. Ms. Hubbard-Anderson also spent a few years working as an Agriculture Extension Agent. While working in agriculture, she organized 4-H Clubs and Homemakers Clubs in Mercer County, West Virginia. Later in her career, Ms. Hubbard-Anderson began working in health. She served as the chief dietician at the West Virginia Rehabilitation Center and also worked as a nutritionist at Kanawha County, West Virginia’s Rehabilitation Center. In 2005, Ms. Hubbard-Anderson moved to Washington, DC. She has always loved participating in neighborhood civic organizations, enjoys spending time with her Delta Sigma Theta Sorority sisters, and she is a loyal Washington sports fan and season ticket holder for the Washington Mystics, Wizards, and Redskins. In fact, she had attended all Washington Redskins football games up until 2018.

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Vivian Johnson Ms. Vivian E. Johnson was born July 6, 1915 in St. Petersburg, Florida to Elizabeth Royal and Columbus Jordan. She was one of three children. She graduated from Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, Florida. When she moved to Washington, DC, she began work at the Chevy Chase Country Club. She married Arthur Johnson and the pair had three children. Today, Ms. Johnson has several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She attends Bible Way Church in Northwest Washington, DC, and is a member of the church’s Willing Workers Club. She is also a former member of the church’s gospel choir.

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Juette Johnson-Day Ms. Juette LaBelle Johnson-Day was born in Richmond, Virginia on June 22, 1919 to Esther Boyd Johnson and Edward Franklin Johnson. She was the second of four children. She attended public schools in Richmond, Virginia and graduated from high school at the age of fourteen. Her parents believed that she was too young to attend college, so they enrolled her in Van de Vyver Business School for a year. She then completed a year of business school and enrolled in Virginia Union University where she graduated at 19 with a degree in mathematics and a minor in French. She earned her first teaching position in Covington, Virginia where she taught for three years. Ms. Johnson-Day taught at Richmond Virginia Public Schools for six years. She moved to Washington, DC in 1949 and began teaching at Shaw Junior High School and McKinley Technological High School. She also taught at DC Teachers College and the University of the District of Columbia. Soon after, she began taking art classes at the local YWCA. She performed graduate work at Columbia University and later applied to attend a non-segregated college in another state. She was accepted to Ohio State University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Fine Arts degree. She then successfully earned her master’s degree in 1954 from the Ohio State University. Ms. Johnson-Day exhibited her paintings in her first one-woman show at the Ohio State University in 1954. Since then, she has exhibited her work in one-woman shows a total of twenty times in notable places such as the Potter's House Gallery, the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the American Institute of Architects Library Gallery, the Canal House Gallery, the Sumner School Museum and Archives, and more. She has exhibited her work in group shows both nationally and internationally. Though she has attempted to count them, it is estimated that her exhibitions in group shows number into the hundreds. Some of the places that she has exhibited internationally include Paris and Tonneins, France, Nairobi, Kenya, Beijing, China, Japan, New Delhi, India, and Russia, just to name a few. Ms. Johnson-Day married Terry P. Day, Jr., a native Washingtonian whom she met while they both taught at Shaw Junior High School, in 1951. He had been a well-known star athlete at Armstrong High School in Washington, DC and at Morgan State University. The pair had three children.

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Elizabeth Klee Ms. Elizabeth Klee was born May 22, 1913 in Baltimore, Maryland. She has four brothers. She graduated from the University of Chicago in the 1930s. She moved to Washington, DC in 1950. As a DC resident, she is one of the original members of the Board of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. One of her favorite memories stems from her world travel and her interest in language. She speaks several different languages. She has two children, four grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys attending operas and symphony concerts. She enjoys sleeping and eating when she has free time.

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Aminta Knight Ms. Aminta R. Knight was born November 24, 1919 in Chamelecón, Honduras to Manuel Lisandro Rivera & Honoria Torrente Sotomayor de Rivera. She is one of two children. She graduated from José Cecilio del Valle High School in San Pedro. She moved to the United States in 1944 to attend college, graduating from St. Joseph’s College in Emmitsburg, Maryland. In 1960, Ms. Knight moved to Washington, DC after her husband Charles Lawrence Knight, a navy officer, was assigned by the US Navy to posts at the Chief of Naval Operations and Industrial College of the Armed Forces. The pair has three children. During World War II, Ms. Knight worked in Honduras for the United Fruit Company and the US Navy at Puerto Castilla. In the 1960s and 1970s she was administrative assistant at the Organization of American States Headquarters in Washington, DC. While there she conducted limited assignments in Latin America. Although Ms. Knight left Honduras in 1944, she helped numerous people and charitable causes while living both there and while in the United States. One cause included her helping organize government assistance programs in Honduras after the devastation of Hurricane Mitch. Ms. Knight has enjoyed experiencing other cultures, ranging from military life to traveling to new countries. She has always had a strong belief in education and has advised many Latin students seeking education to attend universities in the USA. She even influenced Georgetown University to fund schooling in Honduras. Today, Ms. Knight has three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. When active, she enjoys tending her rose garden and orchid collection, designing and crafting ceramics and pottery, travelling, volunteering at local hospitals, and very skillfully playing doubles bridge very.

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Ruth Matthews Mrs. Ruth Matthews was born July 17, 1920 in Washington, DC. She graduated from Cardozo High School in 1938. Upon graduation, Mrs. Matthews began work in the government. During her work tenure, she has worked for both federal and local government agencies. In 1939, Mrs. Matthews served as a clerical assistant for Mary McLeod Bethune under the Director of Negro Affairs. Mrs. Matthews is the mother of five children, 15 grandchildren, over 25 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. In her spare time, Mrs. Matthews enjoys writing poetry and reading.

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Ellen Mattingly-Brown Ms. Ellen Mattingly-Brown was born April 22, 1920 in Washington, DC to Robert N. Mattingly, a principal at Cardozo High School, and Mary Baltimore Mattingly. Ellen attended Francis Junior High School and Cardozo High School. She graduated in 1936. She attended Minor Teachers College graduating in 1940 with a Bachelor of Science in English and a minor in math. In October 1940, Ms. Brown was appointed to a teaching position in business and math. In 1946, she attended Columbia Teachers College in New York, receiving a Master of Science degree in Administration Supervision. She also pledged the Washington, DC Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated in 1949. Ms. Brown married Charles C. Brown in 1952. They had two children, Charles R. Brown (1955) and Judith E. Brown (1957). In 1957, she began work at Douglass Junior High School as a Counselor. Ms. Brown ended her career as a Counselor at Lincoln Junior High School, retiring in 1982. In her spare time, Ms. Brown enjoys reading.

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Eva Mae Williams-McLeod Ms. Eva Mae Williams-McLeod was born July 25 of 1918 in Albany, GA, the first of two daughters born to Mattie and “J. W.” Williams. At 15, Eva graduated from high school as the valedictorian of her class and left for college. She studied to be a teacher at Georgia State “Normal” College (now known as Savannah State University). She then taught at a school in Hazlehurst, GA, where she met and married the principal, Joel Emmett McLeod. They had three children before moving to Washington, DC in 1945 seeking better job opportunities. There, the pair had three more children. Eva and Joel had a wonderful marriage of 74 years until he passed at the age of 103.

She became a member of Turner Memorial AME Church at 5th and P Street NW and moved with the church to 6th and I Street NW, and then to Hyattsville, MD, where she still attends as often as she can get a ride. In her earlier years as a member, she participated in many auxiliaries. She loved singing in the Senior Choir, was a member and officer of the Georgia Club, and travelled to many countries in their fellowship. She is still a member of the Lay Organization (which is named after her late husband Joel and another notable DC layperson, Mrs. Daisy Powell).

Mrs. McLeod was employed in Washington many years at Woodward & Lothrop Department Store Warehouse and at the US Postal Service (now the Postal Museum). She was a member of the Iverson Mall Walkers, the National Council of Negro Women, AARP, and various civic and community organizations in her Northwest and Southwest neighborhoods. She also sang in many community choirs.

Eva is a writer and the historian of her family experiences and travels. For years she wrote in the newsletters for the various organizations to which she belonged. She has tried her hand at children’s stories and has even written an article in a Washington Post Newspaper column. The article described the many daily activities that she endured to get through life with a family. In 1980, she completed her degree at the University of the District of Columbia a semester before her youngest child. Her major studies were home economics, but many classes involved writing and poetry.

She shares her love for teaching and interesting newspaper articles with her children. Her wish is to share her illustrated and published stories with her three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and her nine bonus grandchildren. She still loves to celebrate life by dancing.

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Hilda McDougald Ms. Hilda McDougald was born March 31,1920 in Mansura, Louisiana, a town in Avoyelles Parish.

In 1943, Ms. McDougald moved to Washington, DC to work for the Department of Treasury. She worked in the Department’s Liberty Loan program, cancelling checks during World War II. During this time, Ms. McDougald married Frank McDougald in 1944. The pair had three children.

Ms. McDougald left the Department in 1947 to raise her family. She became a homemaker and enjoyed taking care of her children.

In 1949, Ms. McDougald went back to the workforce. She worked for the Veterans Administration where she served as a “key puncher,” ensuring veterans received their checks. She retired in the 1960s.

Ms. McDougald is a devoted Catholic. She became a member of St Luke’s Catholic Church In 1957. Today, she continues to go to mass every Sunday.

In her spare time, she enjoys cleaning her house, cooking, and gardening. She likes going to bingo and casinos. She enjoys getting together with her family and friends, especially for family reunions. During the summer months, she enjoys living in her Southwest neighborhood. But during the winter months, she enjoys visiting and staying with her daughter in Virginia.

One of Ms. McDougald’s favorite saying is “God is good all the time!”

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Evelyn McKenly Ms. Evelyn McKenly was born November 6, 1919 at Freedman’s Hospital in Washington, DC. Her parents were also native Washingtonians. Ms. McKenly is a product of DC Public Schools, graduating from Dunbar High School in 1938. After graduation, Ms. McKenly was an apprentice under the famous Cardozo Sisters Beauty Salon. She married in 1942 and moved to Philadelphia with her spouse. There, she worked at a war plant. In 1945, she moved to the Bronx, New York and her daughter, Charlene was born. After a few years in New York, she moved back to the District and worked for the Cardozo Sisters once more. Shortly thereafter, Ms. McKenly’s mother opened two beauty salons and she worked alongside her mother, who eventually passed the salon to her. After selling the hair salon, Ms. McKenly took a typing course and worked in several clerical positions in government and various companies. During this time, she was living with her second husband in Seat Pleasant, Maryland. She was active in the community as a councilwoman for several years. When her second husband passed, she moved back to Washington, DC and took a job at Fannie Mae as a public information technician. She worked there for 12 years. After Fannie Mae, Ms. McKenly worked for the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging for a year. She also worked at the Environmental Protection Agency in the Water Department. Ms. McKenly loves crocheting, knitting, embroidery, rug hooking, and quilting. In the 1960s, she belonged to a family hobby club and loved crocheting baby blankets and sweaters for family and friends. She joined a senior dance group, the Funtastics, which performed for veteran homes, various churches, and other organizations. Today, Ms. McKenly has one grandson and two great-grandchildren. She stays busy by attending Model Cities Senior Wellness Center three times a week and Greater Mt. Calvary Holiness Church at the Young at Heart Senior Center two times a week. She is also a member of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Incorporated, holding several positions on the board. She has been a member of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church for more than 30 years.

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Jan Moore Ms. Jan P. Moore was born January 3, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois to Katherine M. Porter and Lester Porter. She is one of three daughters. Ms. Moore graduated from Hyde Park High School in Chicago. Shortly after, she enlisted in the Navy in 1942. While in the Navy, she attended Hunter College in the Bronx. She was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1945. She later moved to Detroit, Michigan and then to Baltimore. While in Baltimore, she married Arthur F. Moore. The pair then moved to Washington, DC in 1960. She worked for the National Academy of the Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine while in DC and retired in 1978. One of Ms. Moore’s favorite life experiences is traveling. She loves Italy, France, and Switzerland, but her top travel destination is Italy because they’re “free spirited.” She is currently a piano student at the Levine School of Music on Upton Street NW and was an avid biker, swimmer, and hiker. She also loves to walk.

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Margaret Norwood Ms. Margaret E. Norwood was born October 5, 1915 in Drexel, North Carolina to Mary and Lark Suddreth. Ms. Norwood attended Freedman High School in Drexel and graduated in 1933. Ms. Norwood moved to Washington, DC in the late 1930s to move closer to her oldest sister. Her husband, Mr. Norwood, was her high school sweetheart. After fighting in World War II, Mr. Norwood returned home in a quest to find her, and he did just that. Shortly after marrying, the couple moved from DC to New York City. After spending the bulk of their lives in NYC, the pair moved back to DC in 2004 and has called the District home since. Ms. Norwood has one godson, but no children. She is the past president of the American Legion Auxiliary 398 in Harlem, New York and was a Harlem resident for more than 52 years. She considers herself to be a very social woman and is very dedicated to the American Legion Auxiliary. She now belongs to McKendry United Methodist Church and is the eldest member there. In her spare time, Ms. Norwood enjoys spending time with family, especially the children. She also enjoys watching tv, reading, and recounting historical events.

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Gladys Raper Mrs. Gladys M. Raper was born January 6, 1920 in Eatonton, Georgia. She was one of five children. As a child, her family moved to Virginia where she spent most of her adolescent years. She graduated from the Tyne Institute in Chase City, Virginia and received her nursing degree at Capitol City School of Nursing. After graduation, Mrs. Raper moved to Detroit with her sister, Velma Alexander to work and save money for college. She moved to Washington, DC in early 1941, before World War II to join her parents and oldest brother. Mrs. Raper attended Margaret Murray Washington School to train as a licensed practical nurse. After finishing that program, she began working at DC General Hospital. In 1946, Mrs. Raper married George Wilson Raper after he was discharged from the US Army. The pair had three children. In 1970, Mrs. Raper became a registered nurse at the Capitol City School of Nursing. Upon graduation, she passed the nursing boards and remained at DC General Hospital as an emergency room nurse until it closed in 2001, serving as an employee for almost 55 years. Throughout her years in the District, Ms. Raper has been a faithful member of Emmanuel Baptist Church since 1948. She taught Sunday school, created the nursing ministry, and is now a Deaconess Emeritus at Emmanuel Baptist Church. She is also a lifetime member of Chi Eta Phi Sorority Incorporated. She and her family, her parents, and oldest brother all bought homes on 24th Street SE at the same time in 1948. Mrs. Raper still resides in her home today. In her spare time, Mrs. Raper loves to bowl. She’s bowled in the Senior League and the Senior Olympics up until the Fall of 2019. She also loves to read. She reads the Washington Post every day, cover to cover. She loves to garden and takes pride in having the most beautiful yard on the block. She attends her sorority meetings and meets with her college classmates for lunch at least once a month.

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Sophie Rose-Ruotolo Ms. Sophie Rose Ruotolo was born April 4, 1920 in the Bronx, New York to Concetta and Michael Carfora. She is one of five children. She graduated from Julia Richmond High School in 1938. Ms. Ruotolo worked as a portrait photographer, and her husband, George C. Ruotolo was also a photographer. The pair had four children. Together, the Ruotolo’s owned a photo company called Routel Studios in Brooklyn, New York. Ms. Ruotolo has also done portrait work and a great deal of volunteer work with adoption and foster care services at the New York Foundling Hospital. In 1992, Ms. Ruotolo moved to Washington, DC to be closer to her two daughters. She was living in Florida for a while but decided the District would be a better fit to age in place. Today, Ms. Ruotolo has nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. One of her biggest interests is the journeys of others. She is described as a wonderful communicator and loves to bring people together. She took up watercolor art at 95 and had an exhibit at Thomas Circle. She was one of four people selected to exhibit her work. She has demonstrated with Grandmothers Against Guns in the March for Our Lives protest in 2018 and gave cookies to protestors. She also loves Mayor Bowser and Michelle Obama. She’s written to Mrs. Obama a few times. In her spare time, she enjoys chatting with her children and grandchildren on the phone and she loves playing Scrabble.

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Ruth Smith Ms. Ruth Smith was born October 10, 1916 in Southeast, Washington, DC. She graduated from Dunbar High School in 1933 and graduated from Howard University in 1937. Upon graduation from Howard, Ms. Smith attended Columbia University’s School of Library Service in New York City. Ms. Smith was a librarian for the National Institute of Health (NIH) Library. She served as the Grand Worthy Matron of the Georgiana Thomas Grand Chapter and was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star in Northwest Washington, DC. She retired from NIH in the late 1970s. Ms. Smith is a member of the Metropolitan Baptist Church of Largo, MD and served as superintendent of the junior department at Sunday school. She also served as the general of the entire Sunday school. Today, Ms. Smith enjoys reading, loves detective stories, and enjoys puzzles.

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Seleria Smith Mrs. Seleria Smith was born on February 9, 1916 in Wake County, NC. She received her formal education in the Wake County Public School System and moved to Washington, DC in 1946. Her husband, James S. Smith passed away in 1989. She is the mother of four, Mary Catherine (Cathy), Barbara Ann (deceased), Cedric Len and Gordon; grandmother of five (one deceased); great grandmother of 12 and great great grandmother of four. Mrs. Smith attended Johnson Business School and worked at Howard Johnson's Restaurant and Hotel for several years. She was also head switchboard operator at the Washington Plaza. She retired in 1982. Mrs. Smith loves cooking, especially baking. At her 100th birthday celebration, many of her daughters' friends fondly remembered enjoying her cakes and pies, including her famous sweet potato pie and chocolate cake. For many years, Mrs. Smith enjoyed traveling to North Carolina and Atlantic City with her sisters, Geneva and Mae (both now deceased). She is happy that her relatives in North Carolina, Texas, and Florida call to chat with her every week. The Washington football team is her favorite sports team and she loves watching professional golf tournaments on TV. From 7:00 - 8:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, you will find her seated in front of her TV watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Mrs. Smith has lived in Ward 5 for 53 years and is a devoted member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Northwest Washington, DC. She is the matriarch of her family and the glue that binds the family together.

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Therrell Smith Ms. Therrell Smith was born November 5, 1917 in Washington, DC. She is one of five daughters. Her father was a local doctor. From an early age, Ms. Smith knew that she wanted to open her own ballet studio. At eight years old, she began formal ballet lessons with Mabel Jones Freeman. Later, she volunteered as the choreographer for school and community productions while attending Garnet Patterson Junior High School and Dunbar High School, where she graduated. Ms. Smith attended Fisk University and graduated with a major in sociology and a minor in history in 1939. Upon graduation, she began her career as a dance instructor at the Abraham Lincoln Centre Camp in Tower Hill, Wisconsin. She also spent a few summers at the Ballet Arts School at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and later studied with Russian prima ballerina, Mathilde Kschessinska in Paris, France. The next year, she completed a course of study at the New York School of Photography, learning how to shoot, develop, tint, and hand-color black and white photographs. She created a darkroom in her attic and produced portraits of many of her friends and their children. Ms. Smith also began teaching at a school founded by her older sister, Mathilde. She opened her ballet school in 1948 with three students. As a ballet teacher, she was a pioneer, instructing predominately African American children in a then-segregated city. Her dance studio recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. Ms. Smith is interested in working with seniors now as well as children because “I think a lot of them need exercise. “ Over the course of her 64-year career, Smith has instilled a love of the arts and awareness of the importance of physical activity to thousands of students. Several of her students have gone on to careers in dance, including Virginia Johnson, formerly a prima ballerina with the Dance Theatre of Harlem and now its artistic director. Smith's desire to share the gift of an arts education with even more students compelled her to start a foundation in her parents' names to offer dance and movement classes to students in DC Public Schools.

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Ruth Terrell-Penn

Ms. Ruth Terrell-Penn was born April 6, 1918 near Newport News, Virginia to Coretta C. Terrell and Emmett B Terrell. Ms. Terrell-Penn moved to Washington, DC in the 1940s. She retired from the National Institute of Health. She is considered “very strong with a sound belief in life” by her family. All of her loved ones know her as a kind-hearted and caring woman with a lot of love for others. Ms. Terrell-Penn is a proud member of Alpha Phi Chi Sorority Incorporated. She loves connecting with her sorority sisters and loves watching MSNBC.

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Clifford Thomas Mr. Clifford Thomas was born July 1, 1919. He served in World War II and was stationed in Italy as a part of the all-black Army unit, Infantry 366. Mr. Thomas and his wife of 70 years, Irene Thomas, had two children – Meauvell Tate and Nashid Sadiq. He has 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson. He was ordained as a deacon on May 17, 2019 at the Tenth Street Baptist Church in Northwest Washington, DC.

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Harrison White Mr. Harrison J. White Sr. was born August 30, 1916 in Sumter, South Carolina. He is the youngest of two sons. During the early years of his life, he moved around between different parts of South Carolina and Richmond, Virginia.

Between 1924 and 1925, Mr. White moved to Southwest, Washington, DC with his family. He attended Old Bell School in Southwest and later attended Dunbar High School. Upon graduation, Mr. White went on to work for the Pullman Company and the Munsey Building. In 1942, Mr. White entered the US Army. He served honorably until 1945 when he returned to DC, back to his position at the Munsey Building. Mr. White married his wife and life partner in 1949 and like his mother, he had two sons. Later in life, Mr. White worked as a Guard at Georgetown University and then went on to work at the Treasury Department with the Uniformed Secret Service. He retired from the Treasury Department in May of 1985. Currently, Mr. White lives in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington, DC where he has lived for the last 70 years.

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Sarah Yerkes Ms. Sarah Yerkes was born April 30, 1918 to Reuben and Edith. She attended the boarding school Miss Hall High School in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. She then attended art school and graduated from Harvard University with a master’s in architecture. During the time, Harvard didn’t accept women students, outside of the Graduate School of Education, but Ms. Yerkes was one of the first to attend during WWII. Ms. Yerkes met and married Nicholas Yerkes and moved to Washington, DC. The pair had three children, nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Once Nicholas passed, Ms. Yerkes then married David – the pair was married for 39 years. Ms. Yerkes loves poetry. She published her first book of Poetry at the age of 100. She also has had her own landscaping company for 20 years.

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34th Annual

Salute to District of Columbia Centenarians On Twitter: #MakeYourMark

District of Columbia Department of Aging and Community Living

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