Our Women Over 70 blog is inspired by our podcast, Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined, where we talk weekly with women in their 70s-100s about things that matter to women as we age. You can listen to their stories in 8 different categories. This blog focuses on Social Services.
As a category, Social Service has multiple dimensions. Often, these services are thought of only in terms of governmental programs that serve the welfare of its citizens. However, individuals, groups and nonprofits equally and actively engage in action that helps others.
We are often asked the question, “What do your guests have in common?” That’s hard to say with 131 episodes now released. They are women from various backgrounds and geography. And, yes, they are all over 70. Yet, purpose is probably the single most common denominator that defines the vast majority of women we interview.
We consider Purpose the centerpiece of Social Services; and even then, it covers a large territory. Who belongs in Social Services rather than another category such as Social Activism or Enhancing Career or Health & Wellness? That is probably the most difficult decision we make each week. Our guests are so multifaceted that they defy a single designation! We will share a few of them with you so you can see the conundrum we face.
Our guests are purposeful and have vision. They remain desirous of creating impact and this impact is bigger than themselves. They volunteer, develop ongoing programs, and deeply believe in all sorts of social causes. Some continue to work in fields that are purpose-driven. These women reshape the conversation about what it means to live life meaningfully while aging.
The bottom line may have been best said by Harriet Cholden, 80, Ep. 69: “Everything to help and nothing to hinder.” She was referring to her chosen profession, teaching children, as a social service that defends and protects human dignity. Nothing to hinder…..a mantra of outsized proportion.
“Everything to help and nothing to hinder.”
In light of the turbulence in the Middle East, Cat Parenti, 75, Ep. 78, is illustrative of someone who creates impact. From the age of 3, she says, “I began to picture the sun-kissed land of Afghanistan and knew I had to go there.” Having lived in Afghanistan over different periods of time, Cat left a legacy that improved the lives of the children. Filled with love, loss and an endearing relationship with her severely disabled, yet telepathic daughter with a remarkable life of her own, Cat’s story is one you will want to listen to over and over again.
Until we interviewed Teresa Powell, 72, Ep. 116, we never fully understood the term Polymath. She is an excellent example of how social services and social justice bump shoulders. Her legacy, she says, is to leave things a little better than when she started. A polymath, we now know, is quite simply a person of wide-ranging knowledge and learning. In Teresa’s case, she acquired experience in the arts, business, education and health care, along with credentials: MPH, MBA, MST and a BA in Music. She has engaged in many movements, grassroots organizing and as an advocate for women’s rights, including the ERA, breastfeeding and home birth.
In what category would you put her?
Diana Appell-Kassler, 82, Ep. 65, believes you should “assess and adapt in each stage – adapting is key to thriving. Life is a puzzle and families are a system.” You’ve probably guessed that Diana’s career was in psychotherapy. She began a long-term private practice and while at The Family Center in Massachusetts became head of the couples program.
Before any interview, one of us conducts a pre-interview with our potential guest. During this time we uncover information about her life, current situation, and passions. We ask, what messages do you want to convey? What is important for you to share with our listeners? In what ways is being our guest meaningful to you? Do you think about aging? As we talk, inspiration grows, on both our parts. Some of the guests are long-term friends, colleagues or acquaintances. Others start out as strangers and as their stories unfold it seems we have been friends our entire lives.
A number of our guests are former nuns:
Cordelia Ryan, 74, Ep. 41, Rita Corley Baker, 76, Ep. 33, and Marilou Eldred, 81, Ep. 131 are three. Each believed the convent was the only path to a life of service and contemplation.
Cory Ryan was a social activist whose explorations took her to 13 countries in 2 years, returning to New York to live and work. After trying corporate life, she entered the world of non-profit in areas of addiction, HIV Aids and domestic violence. A good part of her career centered on abused women and their children and continued until her retirement in 2014. As Cory says, “I walked away with a smile on my face”. Life after retirement has been active to say the least. You will gain inspiration from all the ways Cory has reimagined aging.
“I walked away with a smile on my face”.
Rita Corley Baker grew up in a patriarchal Irish Catholic home. She followed her 2 older siblings into the convent, believing a life of service was only available inside a religious community. Twelve years later she realized she could be a witness and advocate for others outside of the convent. What followed was an extraordinary life dedicated to working with children, families and, later, detained immigrants.
Marilou Eldred was a pre-teen when she felt called to serve as a nun. After one year in college, she entered a teaching convent where, for 10 years, she taught, did community service and earned advanced degrees along the way. All of Marilou’s leadership roles have been in Catholic institutions, for example, as president of a women’s college and president of a Catholic philanthropic foundation. Now she volunteers as a strategic planning consultant with parishes in Minnesota.
And, there is Linda Gesler, 72, Ep. 05. As one of our very first guests, we settled on Social Services for her category. Linda has been a huge supporter of Women Over 70, and one of the first to join our Aging Reimagined Circle. Social service is a way of life for her. She learned early on that using your natural gifts to feel good about yourself is a direct path to helping the larger world as well. Now on her own, she has rekindled her commitment to service, currently through genealogy and supporting friends and family suffering from illness.
Can you tell that we love our guests? They become like family to us. We hope you will take the time to get to know them like we do, and then, join our community. Women of all ages are welcome. Let us see you on Zoom for our Podcast Discussions and Deep Talk Forums.
We imagine that Purpose, with a capital P, defines who you are, too. We know you have much to say. Women Over 70 is the platform on which you can say it.
See you soon!
