By Rich Johnson, WTOP.com
WASHINGTON — The video of Virginia McLaurin dancing for joy as she met the Obama went viral last month, but the people of Southeast D.C. have known about “Grandma Virginia” for a long time.
Hundreds gathered Friday to celebrate her 107th birthday.
“I love the way we can get along with each other,” said McLaurin, answering a question posed by one of the dozens of kids who entertained in a more than two-hour event at the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus.
Among those who came to honor Grandma Virginia – bearing a letter from The First Couple – Wendy Spencer, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service.
“In your dedication to improving the lives of children across your community, we see the generous, compassionate spirit that has always guided our country,” said Spencer, reading from that letter.
Also saluting McLaurin: D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
“I know that everybody was excited to see the dance you did when you saw President Obama,” Bowser said.
The event culminated with several of McLaurin’s progeny joining her on stage, including her two daughters.
But the full lineage might have been too much for the stage: 11 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, 27 great-great grandchildren and four great-great-great grandchildren.
