At this time, who is the oldest woman in the United States? We're sure
that it isn't our Granny yet, but in a few years, she will be up there
in the competition. The old gal is 104. She couldn't care less, but
we're interested.
Thanks,
Yesmam

Hi there,

Obviously the leaderboard keeps changing, so I looked for the most
up-to-date and authorative sites with this information.


GERONTOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP 
--------------------------
http://www.grg.org/
"Physicians, Scientists, and Engineers dedicated to the quest to slow
and ultimately reverse human aging within the next 50 years."

The GRG data was updated on Oct 27:

113 - Charlotte Benkner      Nov. 16, 1889 - lives in Ohio 
113 - Emma Verona Johnston   Aug.  6, 1890 - lives in Ohio
113 - Bettie Wilson          Sep. 13, 1890 - lives in Mississippi
112 - Susie Gibson           Oct. 31, 1890 - lives in Alabama
112 - Grace Thaxton          June 18, 1891 - lives in Kentucky
111 - Agnes Rich             Jan. 20, 1892 - lives in Georgia
111 - Ruby Drakeford         Jan. 25, 1892 - lives in North Carolina

The complete worldwide list of current "Supercentenarians" (110 or
older) is at:
http://www.grg.org/Adams/E.HTM


GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS
------------------------
Kamato Hongo, born September 16, 1887, on Tokunoshima Island,
Kagoshima, Japan, is the world's oldest living woman (and person).

Charlotte Benkner (ne้ Enterlein) (USA, b. Germany, November 16, 1889)
of North Lima, Ohio, became the oldest living American at the age of
113 years 324 days following the death of Elena Slough (July 8,
1889–October 5, 2003).
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/index.asp?id=48369

More on Charlotte Benkner from The Vindicator, Youngstown, Ohio:
http://www.vindy.com/local_news/297399313203014.php

At the start of the month, Elena Slough was the oldest woman in the
USA, at either 114 or 115:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/10/05/national1841EDT0575.DTL


Search keywords: "oldest woman" "in the USA"

Best wishes,
robertskelton-ga

Excellent and entertaining. In a matter of years, our Granny will be
on these lists too. I'm going to do some research to find out the
quality of life these super Grannies have. Ours, is bed-ridden with a
feeding tube, but she's kicking, (in the manner that older legs do
kick.) Great work and thanks robertskelton.
Best,
Yesmam

Regrettably, Hongo-san died just last week. 
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/09/29/world/main575557.shtml

She was pretty amazing - I saw her doing a bit of karaoke on NHK
earlier this year. Not bad for 116!

Yep, keeps changing:

" Two weeks after assuming the title of the world's oldest person,
Mitoyo Kawate, a 114-year-old Japanese woman has died..."
Nov 13, 2003
http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031113.wold1113/BNStory/Front/

Thanks Robert for keeping us up to date. The link,
http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031113.wold1113/BNStory/Front/
is something that I'll look into.
Yesmam