The granddaughter of a slave, Ms. Spencer, 102, was born before the fight for women’s suffrage and a civil rights movement that would pave the way for the black president she voted for. Ms. Spencer witnessed a turbulent century, but she lived a quiet life: performing domestic work for a few loyal families for 78 years before retiring at age 90. Ms. Spencer outlived not only friends and family, but also her savings. She receives $923 a month in Social Security benefits but does not qualify for food stamps or Medicaid, forcing her to live frugally. When her clothes began to fray, Mr. McCarron turned to the Neediest Cases Fund, which granted Ms. Spencer $325. She bought a red dress, shoes and underwear. (via At 102, Outliving Family, and Savings - Neediest Cases - NYTimes.com)

The granddaughter of a slave, Ms. Spencer, 102, was born before the fight for women’s suffrage and a civil rights movement that would pave the way for the black president she voted for. Ms. Spencer witnessed a turbulent century, but she lived a quiet life: performing domestic work for a few loyal families for 78 years before retiring at age 90. Ms. Spencer outlived not only friends and family, but also her savings. She receives $923 a month in Social Security benefits but does not qualify for food stamps or Medicaid, forcing her to live frugally. When her clothes began to fray, Mr. McCarron turned to the Neediest Cases Fund, which granted Ms. Spencer $325. She bought a red dress, shoes and underwear. (via At 102, Outliving Family, and Savings - Neediest Cases - NYTimes.com)