A 111-year-old woman in Virginia recently earned her high school diploma. In Lela Burden’s early days in 1918, the flu pandemic forced schools to temporarily close.

A 111-year-old woman in Virginia recently earned her high school diploma. In Lela Burden’s early days in 1918, the flu pandemic forced schools to temporarily close.

Even though she was a teenager at the time, she had been working two jobs. Burden was paid 50 cents a day for cleaning houses. She also served at a restaurant for 3 dollars per week. Back in the day, that was a decent salary, so she didn’t feel the need to return to school when the facilities re-opened.

Burden is reportedly sharp as a tack. She recalls everything about her original school days. Eventually she decided to acquire her diploma.

When the honorary degree was handed to her, she clapped softly along with her family.

One day before the ceremony, Burden remarked “God gives you what he wants you to have. He has a reason for keeping me here. I said, ‘Lord, whatever you’re keeping me here for, let me do it.”

She admitted that age has come with aches and pains, but she hopes to be alive for a long time.