Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined

Amid a global pandemic, from separate locations, Catherine and Gail reflect on themes that emerge from the inspiring and provocative stories of our guests. In this retrospective episode, we highlight women who have experienced spiritual awakenings and now focus on healing; others, who have dedicated their lives to righting injustices, who find joy and happiness in the ‘now’ of life, and who are working to create pathways for the next generation. 4 themes that emerged throughout episodes 31-44: Spiritual Awakenings Episodes # 37, 38, 35, 31, 44 Social Activism Episodes #32, 36, 39 Finding Passion in our Present Phase # 42, 34, 41, 33 Creating Pathways for Younger Women #40, 39, 74 Listen to Episodes by Season https://womenover70.com/season-two/ https://womenover70.com/season-one/ Connect with Gail & Catherine: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wo70AgingReimagined Twitter: @womenover70 Instagram: WomenOver70 Website: https://womenover70.com Email: info@womenover70.com Show: Women Over 70 – Aging Reimagined Listen on: Apple Podcast, Google Play Music, Stitcher, or Spotify   Please rate our show and subscribe wherever you listen. This is how we grow.

Jennifer is an inspiring advocate of aging. A horrific accident that fatally killed all members of a friend’s family, plus her own bout of unremitting pain from a shingles attack, completely shook her faith. The path she embarked on resulted in authoring her 1st book in 2006: “Becoming Conscious - 1 Woman’s Story of Spiritual Awakening”.  Jennifer takes her work, health, fitness and positive attitude very seriously. At 81 she has totally reinvented herself and has collaborated with 5 authors which led to her publishing her own book, and that led to ghostwriting 2 other books (so far) from scratch. Remarried to a man 10 years younger, she lives what she says. As you listen to her speak, you unravel the path she took from where she was to where she is now. Her goal at age 90 is to be able to climb 2 flights of stairs carrying 2 bags of groceries. “What we focus on expands & what we are grateful for multiplies” - Jennifer Grainger  Takeaways: Growing up with an inactive left brain only means you have so much to look forward to as you learn to develop it. Copywriting and ghostwriting are similar in name only. Be conscious of the words we say. Words have so much power.   Connect with Jennifer Grainger: Website: https://JenniferGrainger.com Email: jennifer@jennifergrainger.com Email: jennifer@jennifertheeditor.com Book: Becoming Conscious - 1 Woman’s Story of Spiritual Awakening Connect with Gail & Catherine: Facebook: facebook.com/womenover70 Website: https://womenover70.com Email: info@womenover70.com Show: Women Over 70 – Aging Reimagined   Twitter: @womenover70

As soon as the conversation starts with Jackie Walker, you are drawn in. Here is a woman who has spent her entire career in mainstream fashion, first on the retail floor, then in HR. And then she had an AHA. She reinvented herself  and became known as the Dr. of Closetology. Author, speaker, consultant. She has written many books, including one for tweens named Expressionista. Jackie works with women, is passionate about women, and took clothing to a higher purpose so you can discover your internal personna and bring your closet into harmony with your life. Quote: “A woman’s vision of herself has less to do with how she looks and everything to do with what she thinks.” Takeaways: Your closet must be in harmony with who you really are if you are to be satisfied when you look in the mirror There is no such thing as age, weight, size - we are all beautiful and unique Never think about aging - just maintain excitement for what comes next Connect with Jackie Walker: Website:: https://JackieWalker.com Book: I Don’t Have a Thing to Wear - the Psychology of Your Closet Book: Expressionista - How to Express Your True Self, through (and despite) Fashion Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackieWalkerDunscomb/ Connect with Gail & Catherine: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wo70AgingReimagined Twitter: @womenover70 Instagram: WomenOver70 Website:https://womenover70.com Email: info@womenover70.com Show: Women Over 70 – Aging Reimagined Listen on: Apple Podcast, Google Play Music, Stitcher, or Spotify Please rate our show and subscribe wherever you listen.

Come springtime, you will find 70 year old Linda Schaefer at the Minnesota Twins ballpark, where she works as an usher about 55 days of the season. Linda’s love of the Twins spans over 60 years, starting in grade school when she listened (yes, listened, no TV) to games with her parents on their farm. She never outgrew this passion. The ballpark is Linda’s ‘happy place,’ which provided respite during 42 years as a full-time nurse, mostly working Intensive Care and ER during the night shift. Linda describes the culture shock of small-town girl exposed to the brutalities of battered women, neglected children, rape and gun shot victims. What began as a form of therapy—creating customized greeting cards—Linda now does for pure pleasure; and is happy to take orders for sale. "Being alone is an opportunity to spread your wings and fly."- Linda Schaefer   Take-Aways Stay active; do what you want; be where you want You need to have something outside of yourself—family, friends, hobbies Avoid a victim mindset; rather, be the master of your own destiny “I used to think about aging but since I’ve gotten there, I don’t think about it much.” Contact: Lindaschaefer99@comcast.net   Connect with Gail & Catherine: Facebook: facebook.com/womenover70 Website:https://womenover70.com Email: info@womenover70.com Show: Women Over 70 – Aging Reimagined Twitter: @womenover70 Instagram:WomenOver70

Cory Ryan is a former nun of the Congregation of Maryknoll Sisters in Maryknoll, New York. She saw it as a way to pursue a life of exploration and service. She participated during a period of time when the church began to recognize that sisters were individuals. However, she decided this was not how she would spend her life. Cory 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, she walked away with a smile on her face. Life after retirement has been active to say the least. You will gain inspiration from all the ways Cory has reimagined aging.   "Higher education and training can provide more versatility and advancement in nonprofits." - Cordelia Ryan   Takeaways: Travel that exposes us to other cultures provides a better sense of our own place in the world Volunteering that requires learning new skills keeps the aging mind more agile I am grateful to have lived to see women reach for and begin to gain equality Connect with Cordelia Ryan: Email: ryancordelia@gmail.com Connect with Gail & Catherine: Facebook: facebook.com/womenover70 Website: https://womenover70.com Email: info@womenover70.com Show: Women Over 70 – Aging Reimagined Twitter: @womenover70   Instagram:WomenOver70

Would you want your claim to fame be that you attacked a mysterious shooter, at your monthly Board Meeting in 2010, by smacking him in the head with your small (Brahmin) purse? At this Bay District school board meeting, with 300+ people attending, Ginger Littleton chose bravery over safety and did not exit when she had the opportunity to escape. Doors continue to open for her as people recognize that she is the ‘woman with the purse’. Today, Ginger is brave in so many other ways. As the Director of the STEM Institute at Florida State University in Panama City, Florida, she consistently creates programs that attract students into physics and other STEM subjects. Her most recent accomplishment? The 2019 Nuclear Science Camp in Florida. "All kids can fly, some just need a longer runway”. - Ginger Littleton   Takeaways: When you always question the needs that exist, you can find ways to solve them Remember who you are and what you represent Believe there can be a more equitable playground for all kinds of kids Connect with Ginger Littleton: Email: glittleton@pc.fsu.edu Connect with Gail & Catherine: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1345166715655554/?notif_id=1583384664776770&notif_t=groups_invite_confirmed_feedback&ref=notif Website: https://womenover70.com Email: info@womenover70.com Show: Women Over 70 – Aging Reimagined Twitter: @womenover70   Instagram: WomenOver70

At age 74, Heather Booth thrives as a visionary leader who makes big change happen. Ever since her teen years, Heather has championed social movements and built organizations—civil rights, women’s rights, labor rights, and others.  She describes her entry into organizing in the 1960s and her founding, in the 1970s, of the Midwest Academy, a national training institute, that unites community organizing with “movement’ background and spirit.” A long-time resident of Washington D.C., Heather advises organizations and leaders on adapting strategies for changing times. The death of Heather’s husband two years ago—her movement partner—rocked her world. Yet she describes herself as a ‘long distance runner’ who keeps visions alive. "We must build and exercise the public power for social good." - Heather Booth Take-Aways: Sometimes one must stand up to illegitimate authority. Do what gives you joy in life. Build community around family, friends, others—and cultivate relationships. Plan strategically, not just to protest, but to build power. If we organize, we can change the world.  We need to organize. Contact Information: hboothgo@aol.com www.heatherbooththefilm Changing the World www.MidwestAcademy.com   Connect with Catherine & Gail: Facebook: facebook.com/womenover70 Facebook Group: Women Over 70 Aging Reimagined Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1345166715655554/ Website:https://womenover70.com Email: info@womenover70.com Show: Women Over 70 – Aging Reimagined Twitter: @womenover70

Born and raised in Kobe, Japan, Yukiko moved to the United States in the 9th grade when her father accepted a job in New York. After 4 years, her family returned to Japan. She was determined to complete her education in the States. Graduating from City College of New York with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Yukiko worked in corporate environments for several years, then went on to complete a Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood, Curriculum and Teaching. Twice, Yukiko sublimated her own interests to her husbands’. Twice she divorced, finally recognizing her true strength was to be a healer. She returned to Japan for two years to study with a well-known Zen master. As her story unfolds we are struck by her unrelenting perseverance to follow a path that serves others and honors the body’s wisdom. Today she teaches Yoga, coaches men and women and applies her 7-Step Blueprint of “Soul Mind Body Revitalization” to transform our personal and business lives so we can enjoy and share an abundant lifestyle. “What people do matters - honor what the universe offers to us.” - Yukiko Iino   Takeaways: You can elevate human potential and personal development through spiritual mind/body training Learn the stewardship of the land through sustainable farming Subjugating yourself for another person results in loss of your identity Connect with Yukiko Iino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yukikolino Connect with Gail & Catherine: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wo70AgingReimagined Twitter: @womenover70 Instagram: WomenOver70 Website:https://womenover70.com Email: info@womenover70.com Show: Women Over 70 – Aging Reimagined Listen on: Apple Podcast, Google Play Music, Stitcher, or Spotify Please rate our show and subscribe wherever you listen.

Jania Aebi, age 86, lives and works in Switzerland as a healer. Challenges have always shaped her. Born in Poland before World War II, she was sent to England at 11 years old to continue her studies. She had no language, no family and a belief system that differed from the majority of her classmates. Early on, Jania learned to construct a map of the world by which she could navigate in the most comfortable way possible. “Everyone’s map,” she says, “is based on your own truth, your individual perspective of your life”. At 9, Jania asked God for the ability to unconditionally forgive, never realizing that at age 75, having discovered her life’s purpose, forgiveness would take on a whole changed meaning. This extraordinary woman has lived in Poland, England, West Africa, Switzerland and France. Her husband was killed in a flying accident in West Africa and her only son was murdered when she was 63. How has she survived? Through spiritual work that eventually led to her true purpose of being a healer. Jania works remotely over Skype. She addresses the emotions that get stuck in our bodies and cause pain or disease. Releasing the emotions results in healing. If not released, they simply keep manifesting as other illnesses. She also heals pets. “Heal your life, be the best version of you, and begin to live your dreams.” - Jania Aebi Connect with Jania Aebi: www.JaniaAebi.com Book: Your Infinite Power - The Hidden Path to Manifesting Real Freedom & Abundance. Available at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Jania+Aebi&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss Connect with Gail & Catherine: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wo70AgingReimagined Twitter: @womenover70 Instagram: WomenOver70 Website:https://womenover70.com Email: info@womenover70.com Show: Women Over 70 – Aging Reimagined Listen on: Apple Podcast, Google Play Music, Stitcher, or Spotify Please rate our show and subscribe wherever you listen.  

In this episode, Gail and Catherine talk with Jacky about her long career advocating for equitable transportation and environmental justice.  She has worked with the nonprofit Center for Neighborhood Technology since 1992, currently in a part-time role as Vice President for Government Affairs.  We hear how transportation affects all aspects of our lives, particularly access to opportunities for medium and low-income families. Jacky has long been a champion for women and minorities to enter male-dominated, STEM fields. On a personal note, her retirement plans changed dramatically when her husband died. Jacky  describes how she stays active and engaged with her passion projects, relationships, and travel.   "Transportation is fundamental to sustainable urban living." - Jacky Grimshaw   Take-Aways Everything in our lives is governed by political decisions—participate as a social being Without access to transportation, people are shut out from essential opportunities Women need more information and training to work in male-dominated fields When life plans are disrupted, pivot and find other ways to stay active and engaged   Connect with Jacky Grimshaw jacky@cnt.org Connect with Gail & Catherine: Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Wo70AgingReimagined Twitter: @womenover70 Instagram: WomenOver70 Website:https://womenover70.com Email: info@womenover70.com Show: Women Over 70 – Aging Reimagined Listen on: Apple Podcast, Google Play Music, Stitcher, or Spotify Please rate our show and subscribe wherever you listen.