Community members gathered at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library’s Beatties Ford Road branch to celebrate Hester McCardell Ford on her 115th birthday. Charlotte’s oldest resident received a proclamation from Mayor Vi Lyles recognizing Aug. 15 as Hester McCardell Ford Day.
Ford was born in Lancaster County, South Carolina in 1904. When she was born, a loaf of bread cost about five cents and people still got around by horseback. During her lifespan, she’s had 12 children and 120 great-great-grandchildren.
The milestone was celebrated as part of Cooking Matters in Your Community, a nonprofit that educates families about healthy eating. City Council members LaWana Mayfield and Dimple Ajmera presented the proclamation on behalf of the mayor. Afterward, attendees visited stations with samples of the various food groups that make up a healthy meal.
According to Tanisha Patterson-Powe, Ford’s great-granddaughter, the newly established Hester McCardell Ford Family Foundation wants to make the celebration an annual community event.
