104-year-old Julia Esaw was the honored guest at the Cass Technical High School graduation ceremony in Detroit. Aside from watching another generation finish their education, the experienced alumna, who graduated from Cass Tech in 1939, mounted the stage to be recognized by the institution.
During the ceremony this month, Lisa Phillips, the principal of Cass Tech, gave Esaw the Distinguished Alumni Award.
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“We don’t push the history enough with our children because if you know where you came from, you know where you’re going and to see this beautiful lady, Ms. Esaw on stage at 104, the kids have something to think about, something to achieve and never tell us what you can’t do because she did it against all of the odds,” Phillips said, according to WXYZ.
Esaw expressed her appreciation for the accolade as she was honored for her accomplishments.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you so much,” Esaw replied as she got flowers from Phillips.
Esaw overcame racial barriers to achieve greatness and was one of just six African Americans in a class of thousands during her stay at the school.
“I know that they were hard on my race of people,” Esaw said.
Esaw and other Black students were denied access to prom and senior skip day during their high school years because of their race and the community in which they lived. She continued to hold her academic position in spite of these challenges.
“Your parents always wanted the best for you, so I was always on honor roll,” Esaw joked.
She was married to Tuskegee Airman Burkes Esaw and sent all four of her children to Cass Tech, where they also graduated. Esaw will turn 105 in October.
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“Mother is an excellent role model. She’s done a lot for other people; she’s a giver,” said her daughter Berneta Esaw, a retired Detroit Public Schools teacher who was present at the ceremony.
In the meantime, Esaw stated that she is searching for additional 1935–1944 alums to join her in celebrating next year.
For the recent graduates, however, the day marked both an end and a beginning.
“This day means everything to me,” said Aniyah Harris. “This day is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.”
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