Pittsburgh honors 102-year-old Natalie Green

Everyone calls her Grandma, a title that holds a lot of love and endearment for Natalie L. Green, 102.

She was honored on Thursday when the City of Pittsburgh dedicated Feb. 8 to her for her many years of service, education and great inspiration.

Green’s mind is sharp and her wisdom reverberates to all those she meets.

She said life is like a football field. “On that football field, your aim is to make goals. I had goals to reach, some I missed and some I achieved,” Green said. “On that football field, you’re going to get knocked down, but what do you do, you jump right up, brush yourself off and on your way you go.”

At the end of that football season, you have a reward. Green said her reward is being able to celebrate being 102.

“This will be a day that I shall always remember, memories are like keepsakes, you keep them in your heart,” she said.

Green doesn’t share all her secrets about her longevity but said she mainly sticks to eating fruits and vegetables, and she tries to avoid fried foods. She said she likes “a good ol’ square meal” — cornbread, rotisserie chicken and collards.

She emphasizes the importance of drinking water daily and staying hydrated, self-love, and loving others.

“I feel very proud of today and very thankful for today because I can hear the words and smell the flowers that were given to me,” Green said.

Green was born in Birmingham, Ala., on Jan. 28, 1922. She graduated from Paine College in 1944. Those who know her best describe her as a woman of excellence, steadfast faith in God, someone whose life has been dedicated to serving and a role model for many.

“She has demonstrated the highest form of citizenship throughout her years, and tremendously worked hard in education and life serving in various leadership and civic positions. Her illustrious teaching and academic career blessed countless families in Ohio, Alabama, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Pennsylvania,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey.

Longevity runs in Green’s family — her mother lived to be 97. Green had five brothers who always protected their sister, she said. Growing up, Green always played school with her brothers, and she took on the role of the teacher every time, foreshadowing her teaching career. Green worked in the Pittsburgh Public Schools system for more than 35 years as an elementary school teacher and later on as a preschool supervisor.

Green came from a strict family. Being the only daughter and the first granddaughter, many expectations were placed on her. “But I came from a family of love,” she said.

“Your environment and who you surround yourself with matters. Your atmosphere plays a lot into the life you have,” Green said.

Green continues to surround herself with people who undoubtedly love her, like her granddaughter, whom she currently lives with.

“The right environment can be better than medicine. Every day I wake up in a very peaceful pleasant atmosphere,” Green said.

Green is a member of the historical Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church in the Hill District. She has been a member of Sahara Court No. 9 for 74 years, as well as Bathsheba Chapter No. 25 Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Her husband, John Edward Green, convinced her to make the move to Pittsburgh. They met at a convention in St. Louis in the late 1940s and were married for 44 years until he passed away in 1992.

“He challenged me to be the best and encouraged me,” she said.

Green’s granddaughter Nancy Hill accompanied her to the ceremony, where friends and family shared how Green has impacted their lives.

“You all call her Grandma, but, she is my grandma and I’ve known her all my life, and I am so glad she is here to be celebrated in this way,” Hill said. “Her ways are pleasant and her paths are peace. I love her and I am so blessed by her.”

Many of Green’s longtime friends spoke about her love of football, and how sharp she is keeping up with the game plays, statistics and yardage, and their long conversations from family and community to the news of the day.

“We always have something to talk about,” said Amy Stephenson, 99.

After the proclamation, Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday” was sung, Green said a few words and was invited to sit in the mayor’s chair as her guests looked on.

“A lot of people have been here but not a lot of people that look like us [Black people],” Gainey said. “We haven’t had the opportunity to be in here, but a lot of times we don’t even get to sit in the chair and in the spaces that we help put others in.”

Green’s goals this year include getting her steps in — she wants to walk up and down her driveway more consistently. When Green thinks about her age, she remembers the number one.

“One more day, one more chance, one more time to try again, one more time to make a difference, and take one day at a time,” she said.