Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined

Donna Younger, EdD, age 72, has dedicated her professional life to mentoring and teaching diverse people in various higher learning settings. These experiences expanded her world view and fed her “rabid curiosity about what binds us together—the sparks that connect us.” Donna’s intentional spiritual journey began at age 50 when she set out to resolve a critical religious question: “What’s the big deal with Jesus?” While staying connected with a church and working with a spiritual director, Donna’s question evolved to “What binds religious systems together?” She sees spirituality as the canopy and religion as a dimension of spirituality that can be a useful tool for those who choose it. Donna is now immersed in guided instruction for Spiritual Direction, a role congruent with her faith that “everyone has a spiritual side, whether they attend to it or not.” Her goal is to help people experience the gifts of spiritual awareness. "As a spiritual director, I want to be a companion to people as they open up to their spiritual nature." Connect with Donna Email: dsyounger70@gmail.com  

Josephine (Jo) Alexander (1909-1993) was Nancy Manahan’s dearest friend and Natalya Lukin’s beloved grandmother. The world knew Jo as a prize-winning journalist and photographer, social justice advocate, and author of America Through the Eye of My Needle (1981), a critical analysis of business conglomerates. But no one knew details about the fourteen years Jo spent as an impoverished Arizona homesteader and rancher during the Depression—-that is, until after Jo’s death, Natalya found Jo’s “messy” unpublished memoir among boxes of unpublished essays. Natalya and Nancy (also Jo’s literary executor)formed a bi-coastal collaboration to edit and publish Jo’s memoir: At Sea on the Range: From Berkeley Radical to Arizona Homesteader 1934-1948. Nancy “fell in love with the story of this extraordinary woman who was courageous, adaptable, self-confident, and capable of surmounting impossible barriers.” Natalya values her grandmother as a timeless role model for courageous, capable, and enterprising women. At Sea on the Range won Best Memoir in the 2025 Great Southwest Book Festival."We felt compelled to share the story of how a city girl with studies in literature and anthropology fell in love with an impoverished rancher in Arizona, adapted to grueling circumstances, and grew to appreciate the desert and its people."Connect with Nancy and Natalya  Email: atseaontherange@gmail.comBook:  At Sea on the Range: From Berkeley Radical to Arizona Homesteader 1934-1948. (2024) by Josephine Alexander, Natalya Lukin, & Nancy Manahan. Thanks to our Sponsors for this episode:Compass Navigation Group, Steve.Nasralla@compass.comSkintensive, creams for mature skins, https://www.skintensive.com/

During 15 years in menopausal transition, Carol Remz, age 80, experienced increased vaginal dryness and decreased libido. She and her younger husband mourned their waning sex life. Upon researching relief from radiation treatment for breast cancer, Carol’s discovered sea buckthorn for skin protection and its added benefit of improving the integrity and function of women’s vaginal epithelium.She also found that medical cannabis stimulated her libido. After eight years of research and revival of her sexual pleasure, Carol wrote a book to empower “postmenopausal women who want to continue having sexual pleasure’s well-being benefits.” Written with help from medical health writer and intimacy coach, Molly Carter, Best Sex Ever After Menopause “unlocks empowering knowledge and skills and how to actualize them with love.”Sexual pleasure can be arousing, sensual, erotic, orgasmic, blissful, transcendent—-What do YOU want? - Carol Remz, PhDConnect with Carol:Website https://drcarolremz.comBook Best Sex Ever After Menopause: Transforming Your Sexual Pleasure Through Mindset with Healing and Aphrodisiac Plants (2025) Acknowledgements:Sponsor: Compass Navigation Group. Steve.Nasralla@compass.comPodcast Collaborator: Jennifer Fink. http://www.fadingmemoriespodcast.com

Michelle Kalisz started studying piano at the age of 4. Today she owns a piano studio and delights in teaching older adults. She extensively studied chemistry and psychology, all the while playing music which added depth to her understanding of how we learn and benefit cognitively from studying piano. She believes that brain plasticity needs an update. Science shows we can learn new skills well into our 90s because the process of learning leads to growth in brand new neurons. “Chords are like chemical compounds - they have predictable behavior.” Additionally, the current wisdom of the importance of muscle mass aids in providing the dexterity needed to use our hands to play piano.We hope you enjoy learning from Michelle."Chemistry, Psychology & Music - Older Adults Benefit from Playing the Piano"CONNECT WITH MICHELLE:Email: michelle@michellekmusic.ioLinked In: www.linkedin.com/in/michellekaliszMichelle’s Newsletter: https://www.michellekmusic.io/newsletter

Ann Lousin, 82, the first woman in the United States to be appointed staff parliamentarian for the Illinois House of Representatives, as well as the first woman parliamentarian for any American legislature, continues her fierce journey to remove women’s cloak of invisibility. Since 1970, Ann has been recognized for her work with the IL Constitution and ongoing activism. She has taught commercial law at the John Marshall Law School, now UIC Law School, for 50 years, and holds classes on the IL Constitution. Ann believes dearly in helping pass into law the legal provision for the medical right to die. Her powerful statements attest to her commitment to all these causes and inspire us to act.I like group decision-making when people can openly express different views and accept that the final decision can be one’s 2nd choice. - Ann Lousin Connect with Ann:Email: ALousin@uic.eduCauses Ann cares about:1970 IL ConstitutionKitihawa DuSableMedical Aid in DyingIf you enjoy Women Over 70-Aging Reimagined, we recommend Jennifer Fink, host of Fading Memories, a podcast for caregivers of loved ones with dementia. It provides insights and guidance on communicating effectively, managing stress, and coping with grief and loss. Home - Fading Memories Podcast

[spp-player]Gail Straus is mostly retired, meaning that in addition to volunteer work, she remains open to the occasional client project. In 2021, Gail joined the Communications Team at AARP Illinois as a volunteer. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Guest House Chicago, donates time and expertise to the Moran Center for Social Justice in Evanston, is on the Ambassadors Advisory Committee to Steppenwolf Theater Company, and volunteers for the Taproot Foundation.We asked, “How did you become involved with AARP-IL?” Gail was clear of her intent to use her expertise and skills in an organization which would recognize her value as a volunteer. AARP IL’s Director of Communication was delighted to tap into her experience. As an active volunteer member of the communications team, she brings insight into connecting marketing and outreach strategies to the most effective communications vehicles. More importantly, she serves as the voice of the older adult for the communications team. Gail also writes a monthly column on older adults for AARP-IL and says, “Don’t call me elderly!” A big reason Gail is volunteering for AARP is their advocacy for older adults in the country. As Gail described, AARP advocates for programs such as social security, provides information and sponsors events on topics that are important to keeping older adults viable and vital and provides an extensive array of both virtual and in-person recreational, informational and entertainment resources such as fraud protection, yoga, cooking classes, ethnic celebrations and arts programming. You can easily get involved by checking out your state chapter at AARP.orgCONNECT WITH GAIL:Email: Gailkstraus@gmail.comLinked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gail-straus-57ba311/

Ginny Maccoll, 73, has an unusual hobby. She competes in Ninja Warrior competitions. Last year, the Guinness World Book of Records named her the oldest female to compete. Though physically quite active from the time she was born, and a proficient dancer, it wasn’t until her daughter became a Ninja competitor that Ginny started believing that she might be able to do that, too. She also competes nationally at the Sr. Olympics swim team. Ginny started dancing in 3rd grade and moved from Tennessee to New York City to embark on a professional career in dance culminating in performing in the hit Broadway Show, Pippin, in 1974.  This led her to roles on TV commercials, having her own radio show and appearing in a film with Diane Keaton. Ginny’s view of aging is to keep trying to do more. Keep challenging your body and your brain." You get one obstacle after another and you can’t let it surprise you. We have to keep moving so our moving parts don’t rust."Connect with Ginny:Instagram: @ginnymaccollFacebook: ginnymaccoll

Jane Fleishman, Phd, a Certified Sexuality Educator, works with people living in senior communities on taboo topics such as intimacy, desire, sexual health, abuse and consent. An accomplished educator, writer, program developer, and researcher, Jane received a PhD in Human Sexuality from the Widener University Center for Human Sexuality Studies at the age of 62. She specializes in all aspects of sexuality for older adults and older adults in same-sex relationships. She is the author of The Stonewall Generation: LGBTQ Elders on Sex, Activism, and Aging, a Nautilus Award winner and Kirkus Review starred selection. Jane’s TEDx Talk, “Is It OK for Grandma to Have Sex?” has received over 100,000 views. "Sex is going on in senior living communities or there is erosion of all the great gains we’ve made in the last 50 years."Connect with Jane:Email:  Jane@Jane Fleishman.comPodcast:  Our Better Half, focuses on sex and sexuality in the 2nd half of life Book: The Stonewall Generation: LGBTQ Elders on Sex, Activism, and Aging

Mimi Donaldson, 77, is known for her rousing keynote speeches, compelling workshops, and in-house training programs.   She has shared the keynote platform with Colin Powell, Katie Couric and Maya Angelou.She is now a speaker coach for TED Talkers, keynote speakers and businessOwners. Since 2018, she has coached 24 speakers to the TEDx stage. I don’t want people to be boring!Mimi holds a Bachelor's Degree in Speech and Dramatic Arts from the University of Iowa, and a Masters Degree in Education from Columbia University. For 10 years, she was a staff Human Resources Specialist with Walt Disney Company, Northrop Aircraft, and Rockwell International.Mimi has been a visiting professor at Harvard University’s Center for Public Leadershipat the Kennedy School of Government. Her latest book is designed to improve the quality of how you present yourself: Pitch Perfect: Speak to Grow Your Business in Seven Simple Steps.CONNECT WITH MIMI:EMAIL:  mimi@mimidonaldson.comWEBSITE: www.mimidonaldson.comBook: Pitch Perfect: Speak to Grow Your Business in Seven Simple StepsPhone: 310-577-0229

Alice Rose, age 78, lived in Europe for 10 ½ years where she worked with childhood centers for military families. Alice’s love of travel and culture led her to Turkey twenty-five times, as well as other fascinating destinations. Upon returning to New Jersey, Alice pursued her love of museum art and photography. Now residing in the Chicago area, Alice has blended her passion for books and photography into a self-publishing business. She and her business partner, Bethany, guide authors in making their own decisions about the book’s content and how it will be presented. Their books include memoirs, photography, children’s stories—essentially whatever the author wants to share. Alice’s own learning journey never stops. She is at work on three of her own books and recently has become 99% vegan. Alice relishes learning about a plant-based diet and its benefits and will gladly recommend her coach. "The threads of my abundant life are books and paper, art and color, travel, history, and learning."​Connect with Aliceroselake100@comcast.netwww.babookdesign.com