Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined

Kimbeth Judge has been writing her entire life. At age 4 she was already fascinated by adult behavior. Understanding human nature has preoccupied her ever since.Putting words to paper enables her to make sense of what she thinks she sees. Her mother encouraged her to use her imagination, her father to stay level headed. As a result, her books include a certain playful pragmatism. Her first book, Mothers and Others is a compilation of short, amusing life stories. Her novel, the Flipside, a struggle between romance and reality.When Kimbeth became a widow, she realized she had no idea how to be in this life on her own. Quite naturally, she began writing about her experience. While her 3 grieving children and their families were supportive of her, she recognized the need to learn her new widowed type of survival from other widows. She invited several to participate in what became a book project. Some wrote individual chapters that are now integral to Kimbeth’s latest book: Becoming A Widow, An Anthology of Journeys from 2 to 1. It will be launched on Amazon January 28. Imagining what you're going to do next is stabilizing.CONNECT WITH KIMBETH:Website:Email: kimbethjudge@me.comBooks: Mothers and Others The Flip Side Becoming a Widow: An Anthology of Journeys from 2 to 1

Dynamic duo, Opal Lee, 96 and her granddaughter, Dione Sims, 54 are relentless in their fight for freedom. Opal’s activism started as a home school counselor in South Fort Worth, TX. Opal believed that “access to information and resources is what helps us do better” and she fought hard for all children to be educated and fed.Opal joined the movement, started by the late Dr. Ronald Meyers in 1999, to influence the United States government to make Juneteenth a national holiday. She had worked since the 70's to make sure Fort Worth celebrated Juneteenth. In 2007, Opal started a local Juneteenth museum. In 2014, Dione Sims, joined her grandmother in the pursuit of freedom through her nonprofit, Unity Unlimited. She manages the local and national Juneteenth campaigns and Opal’s urban farming project. Dione believes in the power of Juneteenth to bring people together to talk about the real issues facing our country.  On June 17, 2021, Opal Lee saw the fulfillment of one of her dreams. Flanked on all sides by congressional and community leaders, she witnessed President Joe Biden sign the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, the bill that made celebrating freedom from slavery a law. Opal has received three honorary doctorates. She was named 2021 Texan of the Year by the Dallas Morning News editorial board, the 2021 Unsung Hero of the Pandemic, Fort Worth 2022 Person of the Year and most recently was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. She currently serves as the honorary chair and major fundraiser for the future National Juneteenth Museum. “Working together is how we get things done. Our differences aren’t made to separate us.” Opal LeeConnect with Opal and Dione:Unity Unlimited: dione.sims@unityunlimited.org

Catherine Johns found her way to an early career in broadcasting. She thought she went to college to become a nurse. There was this guy in her dormitory……how many stories started out that way in the ‘60s? “You have an amazing voice. You should be on the radio”. So she auditioned for the campus radio station and was hired. She started in smaller markets and ended up in Chicago, anchoring the news at WLS.  Catherine learned from some of the best in the business: Larry Lujack and Fred Winston. By the time the station changed to a talk format, she was hosting her own show.Catherine became very interested in speaking and soon transitioned to become a trainer in communication. She discovered she loved it, but had to overcome being worried about how she looked . She felt challenged by people looking back at her. Years later, Catherine’s expertise is in working with clients to help them gain more confidence when speaking. The many skills she’s developed throughout her career make her a successful and knowledgeable speaker.  People believe you have to be an extrovert to shine. Introverts can shine, too, with a softer energy. You can be like the sun or be like the moon. - Catherine JohnsEmail: catherine@catherinejohns.comAuthor: Show Up & Shine: Simple Steps to Boost your Confidencehttps://www.amazon.com/Show-Up-Shine-Confidence-Charisma/dp/0989618706/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SW1LOCSB71FU&keywords=show+up+and+shine&qid=1672848562&sprefix=show+up+and+shine%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1Speaker: https://www.catherinejohns.com/book-me-to-speak/

Dr. Susan Weininger, age 78, is professor emerita of art historyat Roosevelt University, Chicago, where she was Chair of theDepartment of History, Art History and Philosophy.She concentrates on art from the first half of the 20 th century,delving deeply into the lives of artists in order to betterunderstand their work. For example, Susan is an expert on thelife and art of Gertrude Abercrombie whose work she curated fora museum and published a catalogue and later published a book.Currently she is working on a book of a private collection and iscreating a retrospective for artist Don Baum. Susan notes that“not everyone can keep doing what they love doing; I am blessedto keep my mind alert on this track.” As a lifelong educator,Susan connects with younger people as a docent with the IllinoisHolocaust Museum.By studying the lives of specific artists I can better understand their art.-Susan WeiningerConnect with Susan Weininger:sweining@roosevelt.eduGertrude Abercrombie, 2018, Gertrude Abercrombie, Susan Weininger — KARMA (karmakarma.org)

Eileen Joyce Donovan has  been a writer throughout her life. It was not until she had been an adult for many years that she began to pursue writing seriously. Until then, she never felt her stories were “good enough”.  It was her late husband who encouraged her to submit them for publication.  At heart, Eileen adores historical research, especially on an idea that captures her imagination. She notes, “You have to be fascinated by the subject to do a good job on it”. This approach allowed her to almost publish her 1st book. She had the contract but the publisher did not bring it to fruition. The affirmation, however, gave her the impetus to keep moving forward.  Eileen believes in joining, or starting your own writers’ groups. They elevate her writing when others read her drafts and offer feedback. And by reading others’ books and reviewing them she continues to hone her craft. She is now a successful author. Previous books include Promises, winner of the 2019 Marie M Irvine Award for Literary Excellence. It will be reissued in September 2023. And, A Lady Newspaperman's Dilemma, about a young woman, Alex, who more than anything wants to be a journalist for a major metropolitan newspaper. A field dominated by men. Her newest book, The Campbell Sisters, is scheduled for a March 2023 release.  CONNECT WITH EILEEN:Email: Eileen Joyce Donovan7650@gmail.com  BooksA Lady Newspaperman's Dilemmahttps://www.amazon.com/Lady-Newspapermans-Dilemma-Eileen-Donovan/dp/195490715X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=IAYD2UQR62L9&keywords=eileen+joyce+donovan&qid=1672202593&sprefix=Eileen+Joyce+D%2Caps%2C287&sr=8-1The Campbell Sistershttps://www.amazon.com/Campbell-Sisters-Eileen-Joyce-Donovan-ebook/dp/B0BN2DV45Q/ref=sr_1_2?crid=IAYD2UQR62L9&keywords=eileen+joyce+donovan&qid=1672202593&sprefix=Eileen+Joyce+D%2Caps%2C287&sr=8-2

Claudia Cooley: Doing What She Loves Ignited Her SuccessClaudia Cooley lives in Southern California with her husband of 61 years, one of the many ‘balcony people’ in her life who believed in her ability to make an impact. Self-taught, forward thinking and willing to put herself in uncomfortable positions, Claudia has grabbed at opportunity her entire life. She believes we are here to make a difference in the world. As a certified wellness coach she knows it’s important to live life in balance. And age is not stopping her. Claudia says she still has a lot to contribute. Her 4 books, image consulting practice  and ‘stay at home beaver mom attitude’ prove she’s not leaving this train ride anytime soon.When opportunity comes your way, say YES, lean in and grab it.CONNECT WITH CLAUDIA:Email: toignitehealth@gmail.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com › claudia-cooley-85719323Books:Ignite for SuccessRev up for SuccessIgnite for SuccessIgnite Your Health

Sonia Ancoli-Israel, Ph.D. is a Professor Emeritus and Professor of Research in the Department of Psychiatry and the Center of Circadian Biology at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine. Her expertise is in the field of sleep disorders and circadian rhythms. She has sound advice for aging adults who experience a wide variety of sleep patterns.  Dr. Ancoli-Israel is emphatic that health plays an important role in how well we sleep. You might also enjoy Sonia’s travels. Links below. CONNECT WITH SONIA:Email: sonia.israel@gmail.comTo follow Sonia’s travels and see her photos go to:www.journeyswithsonia.comInstagram: journeyswithsonia

Sara Zeff Geber, PhD, considers the years beyond 65 as the ‘bonus years.’ As a nationally recognized leader in planning for aging and retirement, in 2013 Sara began pursuing solo aging with a passion. The baby boomers--some 15 million--who do not have children and/or are single, Sara says, “are living without a safety net and a script for their future.” Sara offers guidance and hope in her 2018 book, Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers: A retirement and aging roadmap for single and childless adults.” She addresses key topics such as preparing for the future, enjoying life, investigating where to live, and planning for end-of-life choices. Sara advises that we face the realities of aging and explore all the options as we prepare to live our ‘bonus years’ to the fullest.Connect with Sara:Email: sara@lifeencore.comWebsite:  https://sarazeffgeber.com/Essential Retirement Planning for Solo Agers is available on Amazon.

Nora Natof, age 87, now resides in Oak Park, IL, the village that is home to the studio of her grandfather, Frank Lloyd Wright, and many of the homes he designed. The summers Nora spent at Talieslin, her grandfather’s ‘almost’ sustainable community in Wisconsin, influenced her strong advocacy for the environment, the arts, education, and civil rights. Nora highlights her years lobbying against nuclear power plants and co-founding a Montessori school as causes most directly affecting her life. Work enabled Nora to cope with devastating losses through the deaths of family members and divorce after 30 years of marriage.  “My nature,” say Nora, “is to keep moving forward. I always feel I can do it.” At age 77, Nora retired from geriatric nursing, a profession which has fed her passion for end-of-life options and planning. Two themes are threaded throughout Nora’s “good, full life”: living in community and nurturing deep spiritual beliefs. I have a very strong belief that you must give back to the society you live in. -Nora NatofConnect with Nora:Nnatof64@verizon.net

As a marriage and family therapist in private practice for more than 4 decades, Sally Strosahl (LCPC) has heard countless stories from couples about distresses in their relationship as they move into retirement and get older. She felt called to write Loving Your Marriage in Retirement: Keep the Music Playing (2018). Sally offers an authentic and reassuring voice for couples who face a myriad of changes during this critical phase in their long-term relationship.  Connect with Sallysally@sallystrosahl.comStrosahl, S. (2018). Loving Your Marriage in Retirement: Keep the Music Playing. In the Round Publishing.