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Virginia McLaurin, the centenarian who danced excitedly with President Barack Obama and first girl Michelle Obama throughout a 2016 White Home go to, has died. She was 113. McLaurin’s son, Felipe Cardoso Jr., stated Tuesday that she died early Monday at her dwelling in Olney, Maryland.
“Relaxation in peace, Virginia,” the Obamas wrote on Twitter. “We all know you’re up there dancing.”
McLaurin visited the White Home for a Black Historical past Month reception in February 2016, when she was 106. “Hello!” McLaurin squealed as she was launched to the president.
“You wish to say hello to Michelle?” Obama requested. “Sure!” McLaurin stated, transferring shortly to provide the primary girl a hug. “Decelerate now!” the president stated. “Don’t go too fast.”
The ladies then held arms as they went into an impromptu dance, the president holding McLaurin’s arm. “I assumed I’d by no means dwell to get within the White Home,” she stated. “And I let you know, I’m so blissful.” A Black president. A Black spouse! And I’m right here to have fun Black historical past. Yeah, that’s what I’m right here for.”
Video of the encounter shortly unfold on-line, garnering worldwide information protection. After the temporary assembly, McLaurin informed reporters: “I might simply die blissful.”
Deborah Menkart, a buddy who helped prepare McLaurin’s 2016 go to, stated it dramatically modified her life. She stated McLaurin was residing “very frugally” on the time however her fame spurred folks to donate to a care fund for her. “She acquired a brand new wig, she acquired new enamel, she was capable of transfer to a greater condominium,” Menkart stated.
Later that yr McLaurin appeared at a Washington Nationals baseball sport and was introduced with a group jersey on the sector.
McLaurin additionally used her fame to assist others. Born March 12, 1909, in South Carolina with out a start certificates, McLaurin had been unable to get an ID card. Shortly after the White Home go to, Menkart advised they contact the mayor’s workplace and the Washington Submit, which interviewed her and printed a narrative. Washington metropolis officers quickly issued her a short lived card and introduced new laws giving residents 70 and older extra choices to get IDs.
“It modified her life for not solely herself, but additionally the clout she had,” Menkart stated.A sharecropper’s daughter, McLaurin spent a long time upon retirement doing volunteer work at faculties. In keeping with the Obama White Home archives, she was a foster grandparent and a mentor to special-needs college students, serving to youngsters with studying and social abilities.
“She was simply so carefree,” Cardoso stated. “She stated her secret to life was to not fear, so she by no means let issues fear her. She simply didn’t pay it no thoughts.”
Cardoso stated McLaurin adopted him when he was 3. “She liked and cared for everyone,” he stated. “She positively had a giant coronary heart for the children.” Cardoso stated funeral preparations had been pending.
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