Born in 1902, Mary Alice Gandy decided that she wanted to be part of this historic time – the unprecedented race between Sen. Barack Obama, the first black candidate for a major U.S. political party, and Sen. John McCain.
Surrounded by photographers, reporters and news cameras at the Shelby County Election Commission, Mary Alice Gandy, 106, is voting for the first time. State Rep. G.A. Hardaway Sr. (standing) and admirers provide assistance.
On Monday, Gandy, 106, took advantage of the Early Voting period for the 2008 Presidential Election and voted for the first time in her life.
“She never thought she would ever see a black man run for president,” said William Gandy, her grandson. “Then she sees this guy,” he said, holding up an Obama campaign button.
He said his grandmother never voted in her life but after seeing the news stories, debates and ads on television “wanted to do something” and be involved in the history making event.
The centenarian lives with another grandson, Tony Gandy, in the Bethel Grove community near Orange Mound. Her state representative, G.A. Hardaway Sr. was on hand to put the moment in context. “If this doesn’t inspire you to get up and go out and vote – nothing will,” Hardaway said.
A member of Easthaven Church of Christ, Gandy is the eldest of three sisters and one brother, most of whom are deceased.
Surrounded by photographers, reporters and news cameras at the Shelby County Election Commission, Gandy was calm and collected. She was greeted by Election Commission administrator James Johnson, who gladly said he would check voting records to see if she is the oldest person to vote in the city.
A little hard of hearing, the petite elderly woman didn’t respond to many questions at her impromptu press conference but it was clear that she was the one in charge.
To the delight of reporters, she also took the opportunity to recite a favorite poem about a little girl and a whippoorwill, asking Rep. Hardaway, “May I say something?”
Gandy grew up in rural Columbus, Miss., with limited education and limited opportunity, said grandson William. The daughter of sharecroppers, she spent her working years in Memphis as a self-employed seamstress. He said she was a wonderful seamstress who started him off in life by making his baby clothes.
A member of Easthaven Church of Christ, Gandy is the eldest of three sisters and one brother, most of whom are deceased. Now only she and the youngest sister, who lives in Chicago, are still alive. A mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Gandy has outlived her own three sons. 
The centenarian is taking advantage of the Early Voting period for the 2008 Presidential Election. Poll workers are making sure she understands the ballot. (Photos by Tyrone P. Easley)
Curious onlookers wanted to know if she just voted the presidential race and skipped other items like the 10 Charter amendments. William Gandy, the owner of Gandy’s Barber Shop at 2381 Elvis Presley in South Memphis, said that they had voted the entire ballot.
The first-time voter, as she was being tucked back into the car, offered an assessment of her unprecedented trip to the polls.
“I loved it,” she said graciously to those standing nearby.
“Thanks to all of you for being so kind.”
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