The 106-year-old firecracker, who has lived through two World Wars and the height of racial segregation, submitted a petition in December 2014 asking for a chance to go out with a bang – a meeting with President Obama and the First Lady.
She even suggested that she go to the White House, “to make things easier”.
And that’s exactly what she did when the Obamas finally responded to her letter and invited her along to help celebrate Black History Month.
With the leader of the free world in one hand and Michelle in the other, Virginia scampered into the Oval Office and danced with joy – and wide-eyed wonder at her good fortune.
“Slow down now, don’t go too quick,” the President jokes as Virginia shuffles across the room to meet Michelle.
“She’s dancing,” Michelle says with a laugh. “So what’s the secret to still dancing at 106?”
Just keep moving, says Virginia, as she shows off her steps, earning laughter and squeals of delight from the world’s most famous couple.
“I tell you, I am so happy,” says Virginia, a seamstress for most of her life and a widow for the last 70 years.
“A black president, yay, and his black wife.”
The Obamas were just as humbled at meeting their overwhelmed guest.
“She’s 106?” the President asks incredulously.
“No, you are not,” scoffs the First Lady, before adding: “I want to be like you when I grow up.”
The video of their moving encounter was uploaded to the White House’s Facebook page and immediately went viral – at the time of writing it had been viewed more than 40 million times.
“You have just made our day, you know that?” Michelle says. “That energy, man.”
“You made my day,” Virginia shoots back, just as quick.
This post was last modified on 05/07/2016 4:46 pm