Happy Birthday, Jeralean! World's Oldest Woman Celebrates 116th Birthday

Jeralean Talley celebrated her 116th birthday in her home of Inkster, Michigan on Saturday, May 23.


Talley, who was born on May 23, 1899 in Montrose Virginia. She was certified the world's oldest living person in April by The Gerontology Research Group.
"The breadth of your experiences and depth of your wisdom reflect the long path our Nation has traveled since 1899," President Barack Obama wrote in a letter to Talley. "During this time, there have been setbacks and breakthroughs, false starts and improbable victories, and through it all our country's spirit has endured — strengthened and enriched by each generation."

Her relatives tell The Detroit Free Press that she remains aware and active. She plans to celebrate today with a party at her church, New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist.

Happy 116th Birthday to Instker's Jeralean Talley, the World's oldest person! pic.twitter.com/haYKX3Oa7P

— John Conyers (@repjohnconyers) May 21, 2015