98-Year-Old Philadelphia Woman Ready To Vote In Her 18th Presidential Election
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A West Philadelphia woman who was born before women got the right to vote is getting ready to cast her ballot Tuesday. She's hasn't missed an election in 77 years.
"I was doing my duty," says Elsie Holley.
At 98 years young, Miss Elsie was just 21 years old when she cast her first ballot.
"I was always happy when I voted," she says.
At the time, Franklin D. Roosevelt was commander-in-chief, and she's voted in every presidential race since, including for Barack Obama.
"I had a lot to be thankful for. I prayed for that day," says Holley.
A Virginia native, Miss Elsie's parents, William and Mattie McGill, were voters. They had both died by the time she was 16, but they left a legacy.
"If it was time for you to vote and you didn't want to vote -- you were going to vote," she says.
"I've taken her for at least the last 25 years for every primary and every general election," says Saphfire.
Joan Holley and Saphfire are two of Miss Elsie's four children. They knew their marching orders early on.
"I had always said I can't wait until I am old enough to vote," says Joan.
They carried the legacy and passed it down to their children.
"Every grandchild-- because all the grandkids now are old enough to vote," says Saphfire.
Miss Elsie's seven grandchildren are all supervoters like their parents. And now the oldest great-grand, Devon, who is 20, will cast his first ballot Tuesday.
"That's just how important she made it for us. It's your civic duty to do that no matter what else you have to do -- you do that first," she says
So first thing Tuesday morning -- Miss Elsie will serve her civic duty and cast her ballot for president.
"I've been out there 17 times -- ain't no need to stop now," says Miss Elsie.
And at 98, she'll be just as happy on Election Day as she was at 21.
"Yes, indeed," she says.