A fitting honor.
In 1964, Lucile Anderson became one of the first Black people to register to vote in Atlanta. Last week on Dec. 1st, she celebrated her 100th birthday. Her loved ones have planned a socially distanced drive-by parade in her honor in Atlanta.
“Turning 100 is an amazing birthday, and we celebrate her life in recognition of the brightness that she has brought to the lives of others,” family member Patricia Campbell told WSB-TV. “Her life has inspired so many, and her inner strength and faith resonate in everything that she does.”
Anderson’s daughter, Gloria Anderson, said her mother would tell her and her siblings about seeing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr walking to Morehouse regularly. She believed in him and would always tell her children how important voting was to her and for the community. When she registered to vote at the Fulton County courthouse in 1964, she had to go through the back door.
“She often talks about the sacrifices that were made for voter rights to be adopted into law. Having lived 10 decades, she wants to let others know how important voting is to achieve the justice we seek in our communities,” Campbell said reporters.
The new centenarian is a Georgia native, but traveled around the country with her husband who was a sergeant in the Air Force before settling in Atlanta. She worked at Empire Manufacturing for 4 decades before retiring and is a pillar of her church, Maranatha SDA Church. She is the oldest living member and served as usher, deaconess, and worked in the outreach ministry.
Known as “Big Mama” by her loved ones she’s an independent and lively woman, dancing, singing, and driving up until she was 95-years-old. She has 5 children, 4 living, seven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.
We’re sending you good wishes on your birthday, Ms. Lucile!
Photo Credit: WSB-TV