HOUSTON — A Houston woman has voted in every election she’s been eligible -- nearly 70 years.
Mary Adkins, 101, has voted in every election since Harry Truman won in 1948’s "Dewey defeats Truman."
She said it’s long been a staple in her family to go out and vote. One conversation with Adkins and you'll learn a lot.
“I've been very blessed with being able to remember a lot of things from my childhood,” Adkins said.
It’s one that started nearly 1,000 miles away in Beattyville, Kentucky in August 1923.
“My little town had 1,000 occupations,” Adkins said.
In a town that size, everyone knew each other especially when it was time to vote.
“I remember one of the men saying to my dad, well, 'Bill, why did you bring somebody with you,'” Adkins said. “My dad always would say, well, 'come on, baby, let's go,'” Adkins said.
Going with her father to vote became a tradition that continued until Mary herself was eligible to vote.
“Her first year would have been Truman's first, um, election,” Susan Smith, Adkins’ daughter, said.
That election took place in 1948 and in the nearly 70 years since, one constant is Mary and her will to vote. Her family said she has cast a ballot in every presidential election she’s been eligible for, which includes the 2024 presidential election.
“We made a little bit of a stir being in there when they all found out that she was 101,” Smith said.
Smith said for the past few elections her mom has mailed in her ballot. So, Adkin’s decision to go in person shocked even her.
“It was amazing that this little 101-year-old was going to vote with me,” Smith said.
A vote cast and a voice heard is something Mary said never gets old no matter how many times you go.
“I think it's your duty to take part,” Adkins said.