For Marjorie Cheltenham Fairhurst, nothing symbolizes how much the world has changed more than electricity.

The newly minted centenarian was born in 1916. She lived in a Roxbury apartment that did not have electricity until she was nine-years-old, she recalled at her 100th birthday party at The Residence at Cedar Dell. But a new building brought Fairhurst up-to-date on what was then advanced technology.

“When I moved into a new apartment, it had electric lights,” Fairhurst recalled. “We also listened to the radio there on a crystal radio set.”

In her 100 years, Fairhurst has lived under 16 presidents, World Wars I and II, the Great Depression, women’s suffrage, and the civil rights movement. However, two events stand out to her the most: man’s first steps on the moon in 1969, and Barack Obama’s 2008 win to become the first African American president.

For Fairhurst, Obama’s win was especially important because of her involvement in politics. She volunteered at the Boston branch of the Urban League, an organization that fights racial discrimination against African Americans, before working in the Boston welfare office.

“I never thought I’d live to see [a black president] elected,” Fairhurst said. “I never thought it would happen, period.”

While Fairhurst does not have a secret to making it to 100-years-old, she credited her weekly dancing and avoidance of smoking and drinking.

“If you can make it to my age, you just have to keep on living,” Fairhurst said.

On her 100th birthday, Fairhurst enjoyed a concert by pianist Matt McCabe, cake, and being surrounded by 50 friends also living at Cedar Dell.

“Turning 100 is an amazing feat, and to be as happy and healthy as Marjorie is amazing,” said Resident Engagement Director Jennifer Gelinas, who helped organize the birthday party.