Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined

How do you describe a woman, in a few short paragraphs, whose passions are so numerous, her curiosity endless, and her life filled with joy in all she pursues? This is Dr. Linda Seger. Never satisfied to only do, Linda seeks the best teachers in each of her endeavors. She has learned not to put age in the equation or live her life with regrets. She says: When you feel the need to do something, do it right away. Flow with it. Find joy in it.Linda looks at social justice from the female point of view. She studied at the seminary to see if creativity and spirituality are connected and took apart words in the bible to answer the question: “What do these words mean for us as artists?” You become memorable because you applaud everybody and find joy in the mere doing of all you decide to pursue.  - Dr. Linda SegerConnect With Linda:Email: lseger@aol.comWebsite: https://lindaseger.comHer Books on Screenwriting - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=linda+seger+making+a+good+script+great&crid=1YLCBQ7C1A5M1&sprefix=Linda+Seger%2Caps%2C167&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_4_11Most Recent Book: God’s Part in our Art: Making Friends With the Creative Spirithttps://www.amazon.com/Gods-Part-Our-Art-Creative/dp/1737798204/ref=sr_1_18?crid=1YLCBQ7C1A5M1&keywords=linda+seger+making+a+good+script+great&qid=1637346417&sprefix=Linda+Seger%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-18

Childhood friends, Iris Goldfein and Monica Israel, are both highly accomplished professionals in male saturated fields, who approached retirement with apprehension and excitement.  They co-founded DefyingGravity.life in 2018 with the mission to “cultivate new norms and create new pathways through engaging conversation and expert advice” regarding the transition to life after a career.  Iris and Monica discuss their own retirement challenges and encourage women to defy the weights of both societal and personal judgments. They want women to be the writers of their own stories and to have purpose however the individual defines it.   DefyingGravity.life offers its members webinars, a Resource Library, Newsletters and an online forum for ongoing conversations. "Our vision for DefyingGravity.life is to solve a feminist crisis." - Monica and IrisContact information:www.DefyingGravity.lifeirisgoldfein@defyinggravity.lifemonicaisrael@defyinggravity.life

Many know Karen Grassle as ‘Ma’ on the hit TV series, Little House on the Prairie. She is also an actress of stage and film and now a published author with her memoir (Nov 2021) Bright Lights, Prairie Dust. Meet the real Karen Grassle who talks openly about her struggles with alcoholism, depression, and lack of self-worth during her journeys as a dedicated artist. Karen is also known for her advocacy on behalf of equality for women. She was an early advocate for the ERA, co-wrote and starred in the TV film, Battered, and influenced Congress to fund shelters for women victims of domestic violence. Karen lives peacefully in the hills of San Francisco Bay where she takes pleasure in writing and connecting with family and friends. Book/memoir: Grassle, K. (2021, Nov). Bright Lights, Prairie Dust: Reflections on Life, Loss and Love from Little House’s MaWebsite: www.karengrassle.netFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/karen.grassleInstagram: @karen_grasslePublicist: megan@meganbeatie.com

Within us all are stories to tell that are relevant and essential. Dara Marks, international script consultant, lecturer, author and workshop presenter has always been fascinated by story. Her newest book and seminar, Inside Story, takes you into the depths of the writing process and teaches you how to build a great screenplay from the inside out. She guides us to see ourselves in the archetypal patterns of mythological characters, leading to a deeper understanding of how we grow as we move through our own stories. “If you want to create character in your stories, look at how your own character was created. How you faced the challenges in your life has created the true quality of your character.” - Dara MarksConnect with Dara:Email: Dara@DaraMarks.comWebsite: https://DaraMarks.comBook: Inside Story: The Power of the Transformational ArcNew Seminar: Inside Story:

Pamela Tate, age 75, did not foresee becoming a full-time volunteer leaderof climate reality actions at grass roots and national levels. As a member of the Climate RealityProject-Chicago Metro Chapter, Pam co-chairs the Task Force on Electrifying Public Transit. Intwo years, they engineered a commitment from the Pace suburban bus system to change fromdiesel-powered buses to an all-electric bus fleet by 2040. At the federal level, Pam is on theRegenerative Agriculture Team which targets working with legislators and agriculturalcommittees in the House and Senate to include RA incentives in the 2023 Farm Bill. She chairsthe Federal Advocacy Team to retain climate provisions in the Build Back Better Act. Pam is anelected member of the Board of Directors of American Forests, a national non-profit thatpromotes trees as one of the best technologies for pulling down carbon from the atmosphere.Pam’s advocacy includes many more teams and pilot projects in her quest for a healthierplanet.Pam presents to college classes, companies, and community groups on the climate crisis andeffective strategies for change. Contact Pam at: pam@pamelatate1.com"My climate action efforts range from electrification of public transit toregenerative agriculture to forestation in urban areas." - Pamela TateConnect with Gail & Catherine:Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wo70AgingReimaginedInstagram: WomenOver70Website:https://womenover70.comEmail: info@womenover70.comShow: Women Over 70 – Aging ReimaginedListen on: Apple Play, Stitcher,Please rate our show and subscribe wherever you listen. This is how we grow.

Ina Pinkney contracted polio 11 years before there was a vaccine, at the early age of 18 months. Marginalized, ostracized and ignored as a child she felt she received a 2nd chance at life when the surgery she had at 6 proved successful. Expecting to die, instead she flourished, and has lived an extraordinary life as culinary artist, baker, breakfast restaurateur, cookbook publisher and world renowned speaker about global influences on breakfast. Experiencing mind-numbing exhaustion and muscle weakness 40 years after the onset of the disease led Ina to find answers. She attended a conference to learn more and was surprised to find a huge community that was experiencing what is now known as Post-Polio Syndrome. As only Ina does, she dove in and became an activist. She is an international spokesperson for Rotary International PolioPlus Foundation and speaks about the late effects of polio and the need for continued vaccinations.“It takes less energy to be courageous than it does to be afraid.”This Episode was Sponsored by The Insurance PeopleIt is Medicare Open Enrollment. Open Enrollment is October 15th - December 7th. Do you need help enrolling? Do you want to shop out your Medicare Supplement, Part D Medication or Medicare Advantage Plan? The Insurance People located here in Illinois specializes in helping folks shop and select the best Medicare option for their needs. You can find them at insuranceppl.com or 773-697-8082.Connect with Ina:Email: thebreakfastqueen@gmail.comBook: INA’S KITCHEN: Memories and Recipes from the Breakfast Queenhttps://www.amazon.com/s?k=INA%E2%80%99S+KITCHEN%3A+Memories+and+Recipes+from+the+Breakfast+Queen&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_nossDocumentary: Breakfast at Ina’s (on Amazon)

Pauline Coffman’s early involvement in youth ministry evolved into justice ministry during her 20+ years as an advocate for peace and justice in the Middle East. Her first visit to Lebanon was as a student in 1959; her next visit to countries in the Middle East was in 1999 as a peace advocate. During the intervening years, Pauline learned to “see both sides of the story” through talking with immigrant rights activist Cesar Chavez in 1962; serving churches, with her husband, in neighborhoods in two states that were undergoing major racial changes in the 1960-70s; feminizing language in hymns and scriptures while Dean of Students at a theological seminary; and creating hospitable environments for adult learners in higher education institutions. Then, as now, Pauline is unafraid to “buck the prevailing world view.” At age 82, she is rejuvenated by working with committed colleagues to build networks between Israel and Palestine.During my decades of advocating for peace and justice in the Middle East, I have learned to hear both sides of the story.

Octogenarian Pat Anderson, 89, retired from her lifelong career as a textile studio craftsman - spinning, knitting, sewing and weaving. Leaving her daughter in charge of the studio, she embarked on an unusual retirement project: creating and providing hand-knit prosthetics for mastectomy breast cancer survivors.  As a lifelong textile studio craftsman,  Pat was well versed in the legal, professional, and ethical challenges this project presented. Once everything was in place she filed a copyright. We could see the excitement in her when she proclaimed, “To date, 1500 pairs have been lovingly gifted, from one survivor to another.” 60% of all recipients offer to join the project as co-sponsors with donations. Each pair of Busters that goes out is paid for. At the end of the year there is a surplus which Pat generously donates to the Breast Cancer Support Program at Sharp Memorial Hospital in California. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Women Over 70 has committed to donating 20% of all contributions we receive to the Busters Project during the month of October. Contributions are the only form of funding for this important project. “We are blessed to know that we are really creating something that has a positive impact on someone else’s life.” Connect with Pat:Email: spinshuttlestudio@gmail.com

Karla Klinger, age 87, has been a poet much of her life. However, until now, most of her work has been shared privately. As an early podcast guest, Karla read This Particular Dot in Time. This penetrating poem is the last entry in her first published poetry collection, Life Unfolding (2021). Karla unravels her ‘emotional truths’ throughout girlhood to old age. Interspersed between sections of poems are photos of Karla’s pottery, which she continues to create and teach to others. In her episode, Karla shares highlights from her research on the experiences of vital women in their 70s. She reflects on her own experience of aging into her 80s. Karla expresses appreciation for often being able to act through choice than obligation; for example, moving with her husband from a home and community of 54 years to a hospitable independent living facility in Portland, OR. I am a museum of myriad images, a spectrum of emotions, cares, and commitments. Connect with Karla:klingerk@hometownsolutions.netLife Unfolding: Poems by Karla Klinger. Zion Publishing, 2021. Available only on-line in paperback from Amazon and in hard cover from Barnes and Noble. Or in quantity, at discount, contact the author at: poemsbykarla@gmail.com

Marva has worked in nursing, real estate, business brokerage and more. Married in 1969 at 22, she raised 3 children, has 9 grandchildren, all of whom live nearby, and believes satisfaction comes from within. For the last 18 years, Marva has satisfied her desire to be closer to her Methodist faith. As Episcopal Secretary for the Bishop in the Northern Conference, she manages 385 churches, the Bishop’s calendar and a myriad of other administrative duties. Planning to work 2-3 more years, she suspects she won’t completely retire and plans to return to real estate. As a younger person she did not enjoy much independence and encourages women to be more independent and learn to make decisions on their own. I rarely sit still. I have to be in some type of helping the situation. - Marva AndrewsConnect with Marva:Email: marva.andrews@gmail.comConnect with Gail & Catherine:Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wo70AgingReimaginedInstagram: WomenOver70Website: https://womenover70.comEmail: info@womenover70.comShow: Women Over 70 – Aging ReimaginedListen on: Apple Podcast, Itunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, and IHeartRadioPlease rate our show and subscribe wherever you listen. This is how we grow.