East Atlanta woman, 111, meets Michelle Obama

Education

Photos: East Atlanta woman, 111, meets Michelle Obama

AJC PHOTOS: Atlanta woman’s meeting with former First Lady was a century in the making.

Veronica Edwards "gives some sugar" to her grandmother, Willie Mae Hardy, at their home in Decatur, Georgia on Thursday, July 18, 2019. At 111 years old, Hardy is the oldest living African-American in the United States. Hardy was born in 1908 in Junction City, Georgia, and was the granddaughter of a slave. She moved to Atlanta in 1939 looking for a better life for her and her late daughter, Cassie, and has lived in the city ever since. Edwards is the primary caregiver for Hardy. Hardy had the opportunity to meet former First Lady Michelle Obama during Obama's book tour in May.

Willie Mae Hardy poses for a portrait at her home in Decatur, Georgia on Thursday, July 18, 2019. At 111 years old, Hardy is the oldest living African-American in the United States. Hardy was born in 1908 in Junction City, Georgia, and was the granddaughter of a slave. She moved to Atlanta in 1939 looking for a better life for her and her late daughter, Cassie, and has lived in the city ever since. Veronica Edwards, Hardy's granddaughter, is the primary caregiver for Hardy. Hardy had the opportunity to meet former First Lady Michelle Obama during Obama's book tour in May.

Willie Mae Hardy, 111, and Michelle Obama, pictured with Hardy's family. (Credit: Tonya Edwards)

A signed letter from former President Barack Obama to Willie Mae Hardy sent for Hardy's birthday photographed in Decatur, Georgia on Thursday, July 18, 2019. At 111 years old, Hardy is the oldest living African-American in the United States. Hardy was born in 1908 in Junction City, Georgia, and was the granddaughter of a slave. She moved to Atlanta in 1939 looking for a better life for her and her late daughter, Cassie, and has lived in the city ever since. Veronica Edwards, Hardy's granddaughter, is the primary caregiver for Hardy. Hardy had the opportunity to meet former First Lady Michelle Obama during Obama's book tour in May.

May 11, 2019 Atlanta - Former First Lady Michelle Obama talks with students from Spelman College and Morehouse College ahead of her book tour event at State Farm Arena tonight at Giles Hall in Spelman College campus on Saturday, May 11, 2019. The students spent this past semester studying Becoming as a foundational text of their political science class, Black Women: Developing Public Leadership Skills. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Former First Lady Michelle Obama wrote "Becoming" in 2018. Photo Credit: Amazon.com.

A photo of Willie Mae Hardy's family photographed in Decatur, Georgia on Thursday, July 18, 2019. At 111 years old, Hardy is the oldest living African-American in the United States. Hardy was born in 1908 in Junction City, Georgia, and was the granddaughter of a slave. She moved to Atlanta in 1939 looking for a better life for her and her late daughter, Cassie, and has lived in the city ever since. Veronica Edwards, Hardy's granddaughter, is the primary caregiver for Hardy. Hardy had the opportunity to meet former First Lady Michelle Obama during Obama's book tour in May.

A photo of Willie Mae Hardy photographed in Decatur, Georgia on Thursday, July 18, 2019. At 111 years old, Hardy is the oldest living African-American in the United States. Hardy was born in 1908 in Junction City, Georgia, and was the granddaughter of a slave. She moved to Atlanta in 1939 looking for a better life for her and her late daughter, Cassie, and has lived in the city ever since. Veronica Edwards, Hardy's granddaughter, is the primary caregiver for Hardy. Hardy had the opportunity to meet former First Lady Michelle Obama during Obama's book tour in May.

A photo of Willie Mae Hardy photographed in Decatur, Georgia on Thursday, July 18, 2019. At 111 years old, Hardy is the oldest living African-American in the United States. Hardy was born in 1908 in Junction City, Georgia, and was the granddaughter of a slave. She moved to Atlanta in 1939 looking for a better life for her and her late daughter, Cassie, and has lived in the city ever since. Veronica Edwards, Hardy's granddaughter, is the primary caregiver for Hardy. Hardy had the opportunity to meet former First Lady Michelle Obama during Obama's book tour in May.

Willie Mae Hardy smiles for a portrait at her home in Decatur, Georgia on Thursday, July 18, 2019. At 111 years old, Hardy is the oldest living African-American in the United States. Hardy was born in 1908 in Junction City, Georgia, and was the granddaughter of a slave. She moved to Atlanta in 1939 looking for a better life for her and her late daughter, Cassie, and has lived in the city ever since. Veronica Edwards, Hardy's granddaughter, is the primary caregiver for Hardy. Hardy had the opportunity to meet former First Lady Michelle Obama during Obama's book tour in May.

Photos of Willie Mae Hardy and her family displayed on a shelf in Decatur, Georgia on Thursday, July 18, 2019. At 111 years old, Hardy is the oldest living African-American in the United States. Hardy was born in 1908 in Junction City, Georgia, and was the granddaughter of a slave. She moved to Atlanta in 1939 looking for a better life for her and her late daughter, Cassie, and has lived in the city ever since. Veronica Edwards, Hardy's granddaughter, is the primary caregiver for Hardy. Hardy had the opportunity to meet former First Lady Michelle Obama during Obama's book tour in May.

Veronica Edwards kisses her grandmother, Willie Mae Hardy, on the cheek at their home in Decatur, Georgia on Thursday, July 18, 2019. At 111 years old, Hardy is the oldest living African-American in the United States. Hardy was born in 1908 in Junction City, Georgia, and was the granddaughter of a slave. She moved to Atlanta in 1939 looking for a better life for her and her late daughter, Cassie, and has lived in the city ever since. Edwards is the primary caregiver for Hardy. Hardy had the opportunity to meet former First Lady Michelle Obama during Obama's book tour in May.

Willie Mae Hardy's Mother's Legacy Foundation 2017 Hometown Legend award photographed in Decatur, Georgia on Thursday, July 18, 2019. At 111 years old, Hardy is the oldest living African-American in the United States. Hardy was born in 1908 in Junction City, Georgia, and was the granddaughter of a slave. She moved to Atlanta in 1939 looking for a better life for her and her late daughter, Cassie, and has lived in the city ever since. Veronica Edwards, Hardy's granddaughter, is the primary caregiver for Hardy. Hardy had the opportunity to meet former First Lady Michelle Obama during Obama's book tour in May.

Willie Mae Hardy at her home in Decatur, Georgia on Thursday, July 18, 2019. At 111 years old, Hardy is the oldest living African-American in the United States. Hardy was born in 1908 in Junction City, Georgia, and was the granddaughter of a slave. She moved to Atlanta in 1939 looking for a better life for her and her late daughter, Cassie, and has lived in the city ever since. Veronica Edwards, Hardy's granddaughter, is the primary caregiver for Hardy. Hardy had the opportunity to meet former First Lady Michelle Obama during Obama's book tour in May.

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Veronica Edwards "gives some sugar" to her grandmother, Willie Mae Hardy, at their home in Decatur, Georgia on Thursday, July 18, 2019. At 111 years old, Hardy is the oldest living African-American in the United States. Hardy was born in 1908 in Junction City, Georgia, and was the granddaughter of a slave. She moved to Atlanta in 1939 looking for a better life for her and her late daughter, Cassie, and has lived in the city ever since. Edwards is the primary caregiver for Hardy. Hardy had the opportunity to meet former First Lady Michelle Obama during Obama's book tour in May.

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