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OLNEY, Md. — Virginia McLaurin, the centenarian who danced excitedly with President Barack Obama and first girl Michelle Obama throughout a 2016 White Home go to, has died. She was 113.

McLaurin’s son, Felipe Cardoso Jr., stated Tuesday that she died early Monday at her dwelling in Olney, Maryland.

“Relaxation in peace, Virginia,” the Obamas wrote on Twitter. “We all know you’re up there dancing.”

Relaxation in peace, Virginia. We all know you’re up there dancing. pic.twitter.com/y31XQ8MdPC

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) November 15, 2022

McLaurin visited the White Home for a Black Historical past Month reception in February 2016, when she was 106.

“Hello!” McLaurin squealed as she was launched to the president.

“You wish to say hello to Michelle?” Obama requested.

“Sure!” McLaurin stated, shifting rapidly to present the primary girl a hug.

“Decelerate now!” the president stated. “Don’t go too fast.”

The ladies then held arms as they went into an impromptu dance, the president holding McLaurin’s arm.

“I assumed I’d by no means stay to get within the White Home,” she stated. “And I let you know, I’m so glad.

“A Black president. A Black spouse! And I’m right here to have fun Black historical past. Yeah, that’s what I’m right here for.”

Video of the encounter rapidly unfold on-line, garnering worldwide information protection. After the transient assembly, McLaurin informed reporters: “I may simply die glad.”

Deborah Menkart, a pal who helped organize McLaurin’s 2016 go to, stated it dramatically modified her life. She stated McLaurin was residing “very frugally” on the time however her fame spurred individuals to donate to a care fund for her.

“She acquired a brand new wig, she acquired new tooth, she was in a position to transfer to a greater condominium,” Menkart stated.

Later that 12 months McLaurin appeared at a Washington Nationals baseball sport and was offered with a staff jersey on the sector.

McLaurin additionally used her fame to assist others.

Born March 12, 1909, in South Carolina and not using a beginning certificates, McLaurin had been unable to get an ID card. Shortly after the White Home go to, Menkart recommended they contact the mayor’s workplace and the Washington Publish, which interviewed her and printed a narrative.

Washington metropolis officers quickly issued her a brief card and introduced new rules giving residents 70 and older extra choices to get IDs.

“It modified her life for not solely herself, but in addition the clout she had,” Menkart stated.

A sharecropper’s daughter, McLaurin spent a long time upon retirement doing volunteer work at faculties. In response to the Obama White Home archives, she was a foster grandparent and a mentor to special-needs college students, serving to kids with studying and social abilities.

“She was simply so carefree,” Cardoso stated. “She stated her secret to life was to not fear, so she by no means let issues fear her. She simply didn’t pay it no thoughts.”