Gertrude Smith (right) holds a bouquet of flowers given to her by members of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in celebration of her 100th birthday on Sept. 21, 2008. A fourth-generation Bostonian who touched the lives of scores of young people as a teacher in the city as well as Martha’s Vineyard, “Aunt Gertrude” watched with pride last month as Barack Obama was sworn in as the country’s first black president. In fact, she says, she didn’t miss a second. (Margarita Persico photo)
Margarita Persico
 |
| Gertrude Smith (center) shares a moment with some of her fellow members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority during her 100th birthday celebration, held last September. (From left): Letitia T. Harris, Dalila Pugh, Cynthia L. Cain. (Margarita Persico photo) |
Gertrude Smith was focused. It was Jan. 20, 2009. Barack Obama was taking the oath of office, and the 100-year-old wasn’t about to miss a second of history unfolding.
