Michelle Obama: Virginia McLaurin is ‘Still Dancing at 110 Years Old’

It’s Women’s History Month and Virginia McLaurin,“Grandma Virginia,” has lived and prospered through more than a century of American history detailed in textbooks. McLaurin turned 110 on Tuesday and first lady Michelle Obama gave her a shout-out on her special day.

“Still dancing at 110 years old—happy birthday, Virginia!” Obama wrote on Instagram. The post has received more than 2 million likes.

 

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Still dancing at 110 years old—happy birthday, Virginia!

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McLaurin, of Washington D.C., met former President Barack Obama and Michelle at the White House in February 2016. The meeting was orchestrated through the online campaigning of United Planning Organization’s Foster Grandparent Program, which McLaurin has been a part of for many years.

A video of McLaurin and the Obamas dancing, posted on the White House Facebook page, went viral. It has garnered more than 70 million views over the past three years.

NewsOne asked McLaurin her favorite thing about the day.

“That I danced with him and how happy it made me to live long enough to get into the White House. It brought joy to my heart and soul,” she said.

When McLaurin turned 109, last year, she actually celebrated with the Harlem Globetrotters and children at Brightwood Elementary School in Northwest D.C.

She was honored in front of thousands of fans during the tipoff of the Globetrotters’ game. McLaurin then went to center court and spun a basketball on her finger with the help of Globetrotters player Briana “Hoops” Green.

McLaurin, born in Cheraw, S.C., said turning 110 was unexpected.

“I’m not getting younger. As far as I can see I’m the oldest thing in the District,” she told WJLA. “I’ve come a long way. I didn’t think I’d ever live to see 110.”

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