The oldest person in New York, who is also the second oldest American, and third oldest human celebrated her 114th birthday.
Family and friends threw Susannah Mushatt Jones, nicknamed "Miss Susie," a party at an East New York senior center, the Daily News reported.
The centenarian was born on July 6, 1899 in Alabama, and was the third of 11 siblings. She moved to New York and began working as a nanny in 1923 in hopes of being able to move the rest of her family to the North.
"She was the Harriet Tubman of the 21st century," said her godchild, Valerie Price, 59. "She helped give her family a better life."
Miss Susie was married and divorced, but never had any children. She does have over 100 nieces and nephews, she helped send six of them to college.
"She's still bossy and sassy," Lavilla Watson, her 81-year-old niece said.
After her retirement in 1965, Miss Susie stood patrol in the lobby of the Vandalia building, where she has lived for 29 years.
"Even when she went blind, she still knew everyone by their voice," said Dee Pozzouli, director of the senior center.
The 114 year old is in remarkably good health for her age, she is only on medication for high blood pressure. The New York woman went blind about 13 years ago, has some hearing problems, and uses a wheelchair.
"If I look half as good at 60 as Miss Susie does now, I'll be doing fine," Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said.
Miss Susie believes she has lived so long because she never smoked or drank, but she does love bacon.
"She cusses, too," Watson said. "If she doesn't want to be bothered, she'll tell you!"
The only two older people than Miss Susie alive are Jeralean Talley, 114, and Misao Okawa, 115.
