Másáni turns 100: Florence McCabe embodies what it means to be Diné asdzáá

By Sydney Lester
Special to the Times

ALBUQUERQUE – On Jan. 12, Diné and Naałání/Bitsii’ Yishbizhí woman Florence McCabe celebrated her 100th birthday.

In an interview with McCabe and her granddaughter, Lyla June Johnston, an influential community advocate, McCabe shared advice, stories from her life, and encouragement to those growing up in today’s world.

At 100 years old, Florence McCabe, who is Naaneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii and born for Tł’ááshchí’í, embodies the essence of what it means to be Diné: she is deeply loving, resilient, dynamic, and the mooring point for her family. Throughout her lifetime, she has borne witness to many of the great tragedies of both Indigenous and American history, including the residential school era of Native American history, the Great Depression, World War II, and 9/11.

Nevertheless, her circumstances have never prevented her from inspiring others, keeping strong faith in her Higher Power, and demonstrating the transformational power of knowledge and education.

McCabe was born on Jan. 12, 1924, to parents Christine Brooke Hood-Whipple and Henry Whipple Sr. in Pinedale, New Mexico. She was raised by her mother, who single-handedly supported four children during the Great Depression. From fourth to eighth grade, McCabe – like many other Navajo children of the time – attended Rehoboth Christian School, a reformed Christian residential boarding school located a few miles east of Gallup.

McCabe recalls this time as one of her childhood’s most important periods. “Although she really benefited from the kindness and the faith and the education there were still some issues that (Rehoboth) is working on reconciling now,” Johnston said.

At the time, the Indigenous children in these schools were denied the right to participate in their own culture and could be subjected to extreme forms of discipline.

In her adult life, McCabe has been an active participant in helping the school’s current superintendent atone for its past and find reconciliation with the Indigenous community. Nevertheless, McCabe was not put off further pursuing an education; she recognized the value of knowledge. Despite the roadblocks that prevented women, especially Indigenous women, from seeking higher education, McCabe enrolled in Wheaton College in 1942.

When asked about her experience, McCabe says, “(University) seemed like a big, big accomplishment to me. In fact, I really thought I would never make it because I was a woman. But other women did it. So I thought, ‘I think maybe I can do it!’ So, I tried it, and I did do it! I didn’t make all As, but I did do it. I did it well enough to graduate.”

Her success had a domino effect, and McCabe inspired others to challenge themselves and pursue higher education.

“I told myself, and I think I showed – in fact, I know I did – other people, ‘Oh, we can do it too!’ And they did!” McCabe exclaimed.

Eventually, McCabe also achieved her master’s degree and, inspired by her grade-school teachers, spent over 25 years teaching kindergarten at various Bureau of Indian Affairs schools.

“I just loved––to be in that spot with children, and have them love you, and to give them experiences that would kind of stay with them for life,” McCabe said.

McCabe’s late husband, Donald McCabe, also believed in the power of education. He graduated from Stanford University with a master’s degree in education administration and later served as president of Diné College, the first tribal college in the United States.

Florence and Donald went on to share their passion for knowledge and education with their two children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

“I feel like she always saw us as something to invest in when we were younger,” said Johnston. “Her and my grandpa just went way out of their way to make our lives so much better.”

Four of McCabe’s descendants followed in their grandfather’s footsteps to attend Stanford University. Several of her grandchildren have continued to pursue doctorate degrees and have become experts in French literature, farming, renewable energy, community advocacy, and geology.

Johnston, an influential community advocate, believes her success would not have been possible without the support of her grandmother, who always encouraged her to continue her education and supported her in times of need.

“She always taught me to be kind and to have a strong faith in my Higher Power,” said Johnston. “I think a lot of my advocacy is rooted in kindness, love, and faith in a Higher Power. I’m half-white and half-Diné, and I feel like all of my education, discipline, and determination came from my Diné side. She taught me to demand excellence from myself.”

Today, even at 100 years old, McCabe continues to inspire her younger family members by trying to provide them with learning opportunities outside of the classroom.

“We try to do things that add to their knowledge, like lectures, and programs, and things like that,” McCabe said. “So, their education isn’t just all in the classroom; it’s in a lot of other places too.”

She believes that today’s world, which allows for much more freedom than the one she grew up in, requires young people to “really think about what they’re going to do because they really might be able to do it. And this might not always be a good thing.”

Her secret to longevity? In her words, “Go slow and think wisely.”

Despite the challenges of modern society, however, McCabe remains cheerful and encouraging. Through her kindness, perseverance, and wisdom, she serves as an example of the character of the people who make up the Navajo Nation.

She reminds her community, “You want to keep going. Sometimes you have feelings like, ‘Oh, I just don’t think I’m making it.’ But you know, almost all of those cases pull through because they didn’t give up. And that’s important. You have to try, even if you think you can’t do it.”

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