Local News

New England’s oldest resident celebrates 113 years

Herlda Senhouse, of Wellsley, was a founding member of the Boston Clique Club, which helped raise money to support educational opportunities for Black and brown children.

Town of Wellesley

February 29, 2024

1 minute to read

A woman thought to be the state’s oldest resident celebrated her 113th birthday Wednesday at the hospital, where she recently recovered from a brief illness.

Herlda Senhouse, who’s been dubbed New England and Wellesley’s oldest resident, was honored with a small gathering at Beth Israel Deaconess in Needham, the Town of Wellesley announced.

The town’s Select Board Chair Tom Ulfelder attended and gave her a resolution to highlight her years. Senhouse has held the town’s Boston Post Cane, held by its oldest resident, since 2016.

“It feels the same as last year,” Senhouse told WCVB, laughing. “I’m so happy. It’s awesome. I’m happy I could be here.”

Members of the Myrtle Baptist Church in West Newton sang “Happy Birthday,” and a jazz group called the Boston Clique Club that Senhouse founded in the 1950s also attended.

Senhouse, born in West Virginia in 1911, moved to Woburn at age 16 and went to Woburn High School. In 1949, the Clique Club organized in support of Freedom House, a nonprofit organization supporting Black and brown students’ education.

She has lived in Wellesley for 41 years.