UPPER MARLBORO, Md. —
Pauline Patton does not leave her Upper Marlboro, Maryland assisted living facility much anymore. At 104-years-old, making it anywhere is a challenge.
But with just a few days before the 2024 presidential election, Patton found a way to get to the polls with the help of her great nephew, Dwayne Brown.
“I had to do this,” Brown said of taking his aunt to vote. “This is one of those things that you have to do.”
Brown loaded Patton into a van and they headed together to fulfill their civic duty at the Prince George’s Sports and Learning Complex in Landover.
Patton was also accompanied by several of her caregivers.
“My aunt always used to tell me that a closed fist receives nothing, but an open hand receives all the blessings,” Brown said.
Patton was born in 1919 before women and Black people were guaranteed the right to vote. In this election, she cast her ballot for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Over the course of her life, Patton spent years volunteering to encourage other people to vote which added extra significance to the moment.
“[My aunt’s] making history,” Brown said. “And everyone should go out and make history.”
This story is part of Sean Martinelli’s ongoing series “The Heart of It”, which focuses on uplifting and inspiring stories. If you have a story idea for Sean, you can email him at TheHeartOfIt@wusa9.com