Jamaican-American Violet Edwards, who made history by graduating college at the age of 96 in 2022, celebrated her 100th birthday with family, friends, and community leaders on Saturday night in Broward County.
Dressed in a ruby red gown, Edwards radiated joy as she reflected on her extraordinary life. “I am very happy,” she said.
The centenarian received proclamations from the Jamaican Consulate General and Parkland Mayor Rich Walker in recognition of her achievements and community impact.
Her daughter, Dr. Christine Edwards, described her mother as a source of inspiration. “She always taught me that you can do anything and be anything that you want, which shows me what she did at 96. She’s my role model… she’s always positive. She’s my best friend,” she said.
The celebration also honored the scholarship fund established in her name, which has already benefited six students. Guests at the party donated to the fund in lieu of gifts. “When you have such a remarkable person to care for, it’s very easy to get so many people together. Every person who was invited came,” said Edwards’ son-in-law, Everett Smith.
A Remarkable Academic Journey
Edwards’ path to her college degree spans decades. She began her studies in the 1980s at the College of New Rochelle but paused to support her family, including helping fund her daughter’s medical school. When her original college closed, Edwards transferred her credits to Mercy College and completed her coursework online. She graduated in 2022 at the age of 96, earning an Associate of Science degree with a perfect 4.0 GPA. This achievement made her the fifth-oldest college graduate in the world and the oldest Black American to graduate from college.
Her extraordinary accomplishment earned her recognition from the University of the West Indies, which announced a scholarship in her honor, and from the City of Parkland, which formally acknowledged her contributions at a City Commission meeting in August 2022. The city noted that while it frequently recognizes students for academic and athletic accomplishments, Edwards’ story is truly exceptional.
“Parkland is a community that isn’t short on good people doing things that make us all proud. But every now and then, someone emerges in an exceptional way…someone who makes us think about our own goals and what we want to accomplish,” the city commission said.
Defying Generational Barriers
Completing a degree online in her 90s is particularly remarkable given the historical context: Edwards was born just 11 years after Alan Turing proposed the concept of modern computing, and the internet only became widely accessible in the 1990s. Her story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of lifelong learning.
Her life continues to inspire her family, her community, and the students who benefit from the scholarship created in her honor.
