89-Year-Old Woman Celebrates Earning Her First College Degree

89-year old Ella Washington just celebrated earning her first degree last week! She earned an associate degree in interdisciplinary studies and plans to pursue her bachelor’s degree in history at Liberty University in Virginia.



Washington first enrolled in Liberty’s online program back in 2012.

“Education will help you make the best life for yourselves and those who come after you,” Washington said of her degree.

Washington had to drop out of school in sixth grade to help with her family’s farm. She later left to Washington D.C. and got married then had children of her own! It wasn’t until 1978 that Mrs. Washington enrolled in night school and earned her GED at 49 years old!

“My mother is a remarkable woman,” Ella’s daughter Ellen Mitchell said to CBS News. “I learned how to be strong because of her example. Now, she has set the bar for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”