A 96-year-old woman, Violet Edwards, has set a record as the oldest African-American woman to graduate after receiving her degree from Mercy College in New York, United States.
Violet Edwards was also the oldest person to receive a degree in Florida, United States, and the fifth-oldest person in the world to graduate from college.
“It’s never too late.” That’s the message Edwards wants to share with the world. The 96-year-old South Florida resident earned her college degree after postponing it to focus on her family.
She earned her Associate’s Degree in liberal arts from Mercy College in New York in June, attending online classes from her apartment in Parkland, Florida.
“It’s a sense of satisfaction; I feel good about it,” she said in a Zoom interview on Tuesday with FOX 35.
She was born in 1925 and grew up in “humble beginnings” in Jamaica as the youngest child in her family. She “had to postpone some of my dreams and ideas in order to help my family.”
Ever since a young age, she has been an avid reader and an excellent student. She was the first in her village to attend Happy Grove High School, Jamaica, with a full academic scholarship.
According to reports, during the World War II years, she enrolled for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate, which is required of her to proceed with her education. The exams had to be sent to England for grading, and there were concerns that the ship carrying them would become a war casualty, but her exam made it safely to England, and she passed.
She enrolled at the College of New Rochelle, New York, United States, in the early 1980s but reluctantly left due to financial challenges. So Edwards joined the workforce in Jamaica and had a successful career in the Jamaica Postal Service, becoming the first female regional inspector appointed by the service.
She focused on her family during her career, ensuring that her daughter attendedmedical school. As of today, her daughter, Dr Christine Edwards, has become the medical director of the Florida Perinatal Center, LLC, United States.
I didn’t have an easy-going attitude,” she said, but she never forgot about those dreams, and when she had the opportunity to return to school, she did.
She originally enrolled at the College of New Rochelle and earned some credits. When Rochelle became a student at Mercy College, her credits transferred.
When I was growing up, there was no internet, computers, or smartphones like there are today. So, taking online classes required some additional learning.
“Everything was on pad paper and pencil,” she said growing up. “I can’t say I’ve enjoyed it, but I’m going along with it,” she said, adapting to online classes.
Thankfully, her daughter and her son-in-law were there to help keep her connected and troubleshoot any issues that came up.
“It was challenging… but I went through it. I wouldn’t give up,” she said.
The community where she lives—Aston Garden at Parkland Commons—held a graduation ceremony for Edwards in June. Photos show Edwards in her cap and gown, holding her degree.
She even received a proclamation from the Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami, Florida, commending her on the achievement.
And she’s not done yet. Edwards said she hopes to earn her bachelor’s degree.
Her message for others: “I would say it’s never too late. Don’t forget that it’s never too late. Look at me. I started again. I restarted…and tried to move along and go towards my goal, and I did.”
