The oldest living American celebrated her 114th birthday with a party in Harlem.

Alelia Murphy was born in North Carolina in on July 6, 1905, and moved to Harlem in the 1920s. She's been there ever since.

On the eve of her birthday Friday, the supercentenarian was joined by elected officials, community leaders and other dignitaries.

Murphy raised two children by herself after her husband died at an early age.

Her granddaughter Nefer Nekhet says her secret to a long life is doing everything in moderation.

"Her strength, I don't know where she gets it from. But she has been through so many things. She is the glue that holds this family together," Nekhet said. "And we ask her, we say, 'Grandma, you've been here a really long time.' She says, 'I'm here because y'all don't know how to live. I'm here to teach y'all how to live.'"

"She's a pretty funny woman. She's very humorous. So honestly, I have a lot of good moments with her, just being in the house and laughing," said Naiya Lewis, Murphy's great-granddaughter.

State Senator Brian Benjamin declared Saturday Alelia Murphy Appreciation Day.