Woman Makes History: Master’s at 90

Minnie Payne, 90, Achieves Master’s Degree, Defying Age

At 90, Minnie Payne has shattered age barriers by becoming the oldest graduate from the University of North Texas (UNT), earning a Master’s in interdisciplinary studies on December 17. Payne, who previously attained a Bachelor’s degree in general studies from Texas Woman’s University at 73, exemplifies unwavering determination.

Maintaining an impressive 3.88 GPA, Payne’s recent achievement was accompanied by her 23-year-old grandson, a fellow graduate. Despite growing up in a small South Carolina town with limited resources, Payne pursued her dreams, evolving from a court reporter to a dedicated writer.

Her journey into academia began in her late 60s when she enrolled at Texas Woman’s University, seeking a major in journalism. Facing program phase-outs, she navigated a unique path, taking courses at TWU, UNT, and Texas A&M University. The pandemic briefly interrupted her educational pursuits, but Payne’s resilience led her to complete an interdisciplinary online course for her Master’s degree.

Reflecting on her writing endeavors, Payne expressed the therapeutic nature of stretching one’s imagination. “When you’re writing, you really are in sort of a different world,” she shared, highlighting the joy and fulfillment she finds in storytelling.

Despite her significant accomplishments, Payne remains focused on contributing to society, emphasizing her desire to work until the last minute, driven by the belief that meaningful actions bring happiness. Her dedication to self-improvement and the pursuit of higher goals serves as an inspiration, proving that age is no barrier to personal growth and achievement.

In Payne’s words, “I made a big accomplishment, but I feel that I still have a lot of good living left to do.” Her remarkable journey underscores the power of determination and lifelong learning.

_{Repurposed article originally published in ShethePeople}