Great Grandmother Graduates At 78 Years Old

78-year old Vivian Cunningham unlocked a milestone to her resume as she graduated from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, over the weekend, according to TODAY. She is a former worker, a mother, a grandmother, and a great grandmom.

According to the outlet, the great-grandmother worked for six years toward her liberal studies degree before eventually having to step across the stage and earn her diploma in front of her family on Saturday.

The former Alabama Power Company employee, mother of two, grandmother of three, and great-grandmother of three spent six years at the University of Birmingham, Alabama, pursuing her liberal studies degree. She said:

"I say follow your dreams, don't let anyone tell you it can't be done, keep pushing and keep God in the plan. My friends have called and told me that it has motivated them and some of the young ones in my family, too. They said if I can do it, they can do it."

Cunningham gave thanks to her daughter Tarra Barnes, son Donald Cunningham, and son-in-law retired Army Col. Rob Barnes for supporting her on route to her studies. She has also inspired her daughter to pursue a PhD at North Carolina A&T after earning an undergraduate and master's degree from Averett University and Webster University, respectively. Jordan, Tarra's uncle, is pursuing his master's degree at the University of Miami after graduating from Old Dominion University.

Cunningham worked for the Alabama Power Company for 29 years as a custodian and then as the manager of the mailroom before retiring in 1992. She then used the company's tuition repayment scheme to attend Virginia College and obtain an associate degree in paralegal studies, but she wished to pursue her career after that.

Cunningham then had to adjust to computer-based remote courses after the pandemic in order to complete her degree.

Her family joined her for a proud graduation ceremony on Saturday, which she believes would serve as inspiration.