ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Across the country and in Tampa Bay, souls got to the polls Sunday. 

This election marks the 60th year that 'Souls to the Polls' has encouraged Black Americans to exercise their right to vote.

Organizers say there’s is a simple message with a serious purpose. 

"We don’t always have to agree, but if we don’t weigh-in — money will control the politics of our day to day lives," said Faith in Florida organizer Matthias Byrd. "That’s just unacceptable in this day and age."

Residents young and old came out to Sunday's event to encourage others who may think their vote does not matter.

83-year-old Betty Hayward of St. Petersburg was one of those people. Hayward has always been determined to make her vote count.

“No I have never missed an election.”, she said. Before there was The Voting Rights Act of 1965. Before there were even marches for civil rights, it was 1957 and Miss Betty was graduating from Gibbs High School and casting her first ballot in an election.

“We were not allowed to be here in Williams park,” she said, “This was across Central Avenue. We weren’t allowed here.” Miss Peggy doesn't remember who she voted for in 1957 but one thing she hasn't forgotten is to vote in every election. Voting is so important to her that for years she volunteered as a pole precinct supervisor in St. Petersburg. Her driving force to vote so consistently is as simple as it can get.

“You have to believe that it counts,”, she said, “because if all of us decide that ‘Awe it’s not gonna matter.' They’re gonna do what they wanna do.” You can’t fall for that.” Miss Betty made sure her children and grandchildren never fell for that either. They were at Williams Park Sunday too, serving up food to the souls heading to the polls.

“She’s consistent,” said Miss Betty’s daughter Sofia Forte. “She’s always been that consistent person. Just like at church. She was born in that church and she’s the oldest member in that church because that’s the only church she’s ever gone to, so she’s consistent. I missed one election. Just one. Y’know I’m 62 years old. I just missed one.” Well, Miss Betty doesn't plan on missing one anytime soon because to her, her vote is her hope.

“As long as there’s life, there’s hope,” she said. “I do believe that things will be better. If they won’t be better here, it’s gonna be better up there.”