The Baltimore Marriott Hunt Valley Inn ballroom was brightly decorated in pink and green linens and flowers as family members, a cross section of former elementary students, principals, church members, sorority members, neighbors and acquaintances from all walks of life paid tribute to a remarkable lady who celebrated her 90th birthday.

Charlotte Elizabeth Emma Holsey Harper, a product of the Baltimore Public School System, grew up on Druid Hill Avenue in the “Sugar Hill” area with four sisters. Her career spanned several decades of progressive positions from elementary teacher to vice principal to principal in the Baltimore City Public School System.