Ceremony honors Youngstown woman turning 110

The Vindicator YOUNGSTOWN >> A world of changes has passed before the eyes of Valentina Williams.

She’s lived through two world wars, seen the development of the automobile industry and the space program. She’s seen world leaders rise and fall, and she’s lived through the administrations of nearly 20 U.S. presidents.

Williams, a mother of six, will turn 110 years old on Aug. 26, and is believed to be the oldest living resident of Youngstown. She was one of nine people honored Aug. 11 during a ceremony at the Mahoning Valley Histori- cal Society’s Tyler Historical Center downtown. Like Williams, some are thought to be among the oldest living black Mahoning Valley natives, honored for their longevity and their contributions to making life better for generations that followed. Others were leaders in the business and civic communities.

The event was hosted by the Mahoning Valley Commemoration Committee, and was part of a national commemoration of the first African slaves being brought to Virginia in 1619. Several organizers and attendees wore black T-shirts that said, “1619: Our Ancestors” across the front.

“We are honoring not just pioneers and trailblazers, but our mothers and fathers whose shoulders we stood on,” one speaker said. “We are honoring our older generations who came before us and opened doors for the next generations.”

Williams was born in Cuba on Aug. 23, 1909, according to her daughter, Carmelita Douglas of Youngstown. Williams attended Sunday’s event but was not in good enough health to speak. Douglas said there’d been a family reunion on Saturday, where Williams’ looming 110th birthday was celebrated.

“She’s had a rough couple of days,” Douglas told the crowd. “We wish we could stay longer, but she’s ready to go to bed.”

Douglas said her mother had planned to attend college in Cuba after her graduation from high school, but ended up moving to Youngstown in 1928 to attend what was then Youngstown College. She stayed in the community, met and married her husband, raised their family, and became active in the community.

She was proud of the fact that all of her children graduated college and went on to have professional careers.

Besides her six children, Williams has 17 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and one great-greatgrandchild. Even at her age, Williams enjoys reading and keeping up with current events, Douglas said.

EMILY MATTHEWS — THE VINDICATOR VIA AP Valentina Williams, who will turn 110 on August 23, sits with her family during an event to honor four of the Mahoning Valley’s oldest black residents, including Williams, at the Tyler History Center in Youngstown, Ohio Sunday.