ABOUT US
OUR HISTORY
In 1993, Odessa Dorkins, a graduate of Morgan State University's Gerontology Program, had a vision: To organize an annual recognition luncheon for Maryland citizens who had reached or surpassed the·landmark age of 100. The first meeting of the Maryland Centenarians Committee included Odessa Dorkins and representatives of the following organizations:
Dr. Willamae Kilkenney, Director, Urban Gerontology Program, Morgan State University
Phyllis Reese and Susan Otradovec, WJZ-TV 13
Mr. Terry M. Stradtman, Jean Dorsey and Loretta McNeil, Social Security Administration
Toni L. Price and Janice MacGregor, Maryland Department of Aging
Mildred Horn, Deaton Geriatric Nursing Assistant School Cynthia Beard-Grady, Meridian Center
Carl Smith, C&PTelephone Company
Cleveland Brister, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks Yvonne Fletcher, Retired Teacher
The greatest challenge facing the newly formed committee was identifying centenarians throughout the state. Through the extensive research of Terry Stradtman, 750 centenarians were identified. Since 1993, the Social Security Administration has been the Committee's link to identifying and mailing announcements and luncheon reservation forms to all centenarians living in Maryland.
An announcement with the slogan, 11Man1lar1d's Most War,ted: Persons 100 Years and Older," was designed by WJZ-TV 13 for this special occasion, along with the design of the Committee's logo. The announcement is distributed throughout the state to generate publicity about the luncheon.
The Maryland Department of Aging distributes information about the luncheon throughout the aging network. The department, through its Public Affairs Officer, provides public relations, marketing, and technical assistance to the Committee.
The first recognition luncheon was held on Thursday, May 27, 1993 at the Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel. Eighty-six centenarians attended the luncheon, along with relatives, friends, and caregivers. Since 1994, the luncheon has been held at Martin's West in Baltimore County and attended by more than 500 participants at each event. The centenarians are "Guests of Honor" at the luncheon and are recognized with flowers, gifts, certificates, and a Club100 pin. And, in 2017, the Maryland Centenarians
Committee, Inc. celebrated its silver anniversary- 25 years of honoring the State of Maryland's Centenarians.
The annual luncheon is made possible through the generous support. d sponsorship of businesses and organizations, which have included: ABC 2NEWS; Afro-American Newspapers; BALTIMORE CITY COMMISSION ON AGING AND RETIREMENT EDUCATION(CARE);
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company; Brighton Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center; Comcast; Community College of Baltimore County at Catonsville; DH&MC GNA School; Farm Fresh Supermarkets; Elder Health Kaiser Permanente; KWIS Kopy Printing; March Funeral Homes, Inc; Mars Supermarkets, Inc.; Maryland Association of Area Agencies on Aging;
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF AGING; Martin's West; Morgan State University; Norman Holt Florist; Peabody Press, Inc.; Proforma Printing and Promotions; SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, The Beacon Newspapers, University of Maryland, Document Services, WBAL-TV 11, WJZ-TV 13 and WRBS Radio. We have also established a Scholarship fund fora student who is attending college and studying in the field of gerontology. Some of the Centenarians have been involved in a study group for "Good cholesterol and Bad cholesterol."
They have appeared on television with interviews and been invited to the White House. Senator Delores Kelly submitted Bill Number 73 to have the second Thursday in May declared Maryland Centenarians Day and the Bill passed