Gertrude Baines, 115, world’s oldest person
Ridley-Thomas celebrates local super centenarian
Los Angeles, CA -- During a program filled with musical tributes and well wishes, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas visited the Western Convalescent Home in Southwest Los Angeles on Monday to celebrate the 115th birthday of Gertrude Baines, the world’s oldest person, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
“Gertrude Baines is a beacon in our community, who at 115 has demonstrated perseverance in the truest sense of the word,” Supervisor Ridley-Thomas said.
The daughter of a man born into slavery and granddaughter of former slaves, Baines has lived through 21 presidents and seven U.S. wars.
Last November, she proudly voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. The only other time she voted in a U.S. election was for President John F. Kennedy.
Aside from arthritis and an inability to walk, Ms. Baines is relatively healthy and says she has never been seriously sick a day in her life. Born in Shellman, Georgia, she is the third daughter of Jordan and Amelia “Amy” (Daniel) Baines, who were married in Terrell County Georgia, on January 1, 1887.
Baines married Sam Conly at a “very young age” and in 1909 gave birth to a daughter, Annabelle, who died of typhoid fever at age 18.
She later moved to Ohio, where she worked as a maid at Ohio State University, before relocating to California. She lived on her own until she was 105-years-old and now lives at the Western Convalescent Home in the West Adams area.
When asked what she credited to her longevity, Ms. Baines answered: “God. Ask Him... I took good care of myself, the way He wanted me to.”
County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas has requested the creation of a task force made up of law enforcement, public health, mental health officials and the countywide Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee to develop a comprehensive plan for curbing firearm-related violence in Los Angeles.
Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas will take the oath of office for a second supervisorial term at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, while simultaneously making history as the first African American chairman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
In response to a report by the Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence issued a week ago, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved a motion by Mark Ridley-Thomas directing county c counsel and the chief executive officer (CEO) to assess the viability of establishing an office of inspector general for the sheriff’s department.
Additionally, the board voted to have the county legal department look into the legal ramifications of all the recommendations made by the commission.
Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas acknowledges Leophis Hester, the county’s longest serving employee, a licensed vocational nurse at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, for her 60 years of continuous service. Hester has the longest tenure of any of the county’s more than 100,000 current employees. “Six decades of service is truly remarkable,” said Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who presented a certificate of commendation to Hester. “We salute Ms.
The Board of Supervisors Tuesday awarded a contract to National Demolition Contractors to remove the hazardous materials from the Ujima Village housing development and demolish the property located at 941 East 126th St. in the unincorporated area of Willowbrook.
Residents moved out of the 300-unit complex in August 2010, after an environmental investigation found asbestos and other hazardous materials on the property. Since that time, the empty complex has become a source of decay and community blight.
