Election 2004: 100-Year-Old Grandmother's First Vote

In this years election, Mary Cato Hicks of Mineral Springs, NC, will vote for the first time. What makes this so significant is Mrs. Hicks will celebrate her 100th birthday on October 9, 2004, one month before Election Day.

(PRWEB) October 8, 2004 -- In this years election, Mary Cato Hicks of Mineral Springs, NC, will vote for the first time. What makes this so significant is Mrs. Hicks will celebrate her 100th birthday on October 9, 2004 one month before Election Day.

Mrs. Hicks' grandaughter, Deborah Knight Barton, of Waxhaw, related how the registration effort began: "Since the war in Iraq started last March, "MawMaw" would say, 'Turn on the war!', so that she could follow the progress on television. Whenever President Bush appeared on the news, she'd proclaim to all who would listen, 'I pray for George Bush every night!' As the election campaign heated up, she relished every aspect, never tiring of the news and polls. So, it made perfect sense to make it possible for her to vote." After witnessing her mother sign her absentee ballot, Ann Hicks Knight asked her who she voted for and why. Without hesitation, Mrs. Hicks explained, "Bush! Because he's a good man. And I like him."

Mrs. Hicks was married for 73 years to the late Benjamin Franklin Hicks, with whom she had 12 children. The extended family includes 27 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. The whole clan will gather on Saturday to celebrate this long and happy life.

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