Virginia McLaurin had a 108th birthday celebration yesterday with two members of the Harlem Globetrotters and a classroom full of students.

McLaurin, who garnered national attention when she danced with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House, said her favorite part of the celebration was learning to spin a basketball on her finger.

While her birthday was March 12, this event was held Monday at the LAMB Public Charter School in Brookland. There was a Globetrotters-themed cake and McLaurin donned a team jersey.

Teammates Buckets Blakes and Hoops Green introduced McLaurin to the students. They spoke about her positive attributes and how students can be more like her.

In December, the D.C. Council honored McLaurin with a ceremonial resolution, letter of congratulations, and bouquet of flowers for her contributions as a foster parent, school volunteer, affordable housing advocate, seamstress and au pair, and “outstanding years of public service” in D.C.

The Globetrotters are donating 108 tickets in McLaurin’s name to under-resourced youth for Saturday’s show at the Verizon Center.

In honor of Women’s History Month, Blakes pointed out that Green is the 15th female in the Globetrotters’ 91-year history. The Globetrotters’ was the first all-mens sports team to have a woman play back in 1985, Blakes told the students.

“It’s beautiful for them to play together because when I [came] along, you couldn’t play with boys—even in school,” McLaurin said in a video that captured the celebration. “The boys on this side and the girls on that side.”

Green equally praised McLaurin. “I’ve seen her all over social media—just being here is a blessing,” she said. “She’s an amazing woman and knowing what she’s been through and what she’s seen is really exciting.”

“It’s fun to be a part of something like this,” Green continued. “It’s history, you know.”

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