Emma Caplan-Fisher of The Honest Talk talked with Hirsh Spence and writes, “…it’s easy to internalize the idea that success has an expiry date…At 76, Hirsh Spence isn’t retired like some 90 per cent of other Canadians in their seventies. Instead, she’s busy redefining what growth, contribution and relevance look like in later life.” Many women are channeling decades of experience into new forms of leadership, mentorship and impact into their later years.
While attending a professional conference recently, I had the opportunity to catch up with colleagues whom I haven’t seen in a long time. Since I only see many of these colleagues at this annual event, chatter about work, family, and health is at the forefront. At this particular conference, my ear was especially tuned in to what I call #AgeSpeak. I define it as any phrase or comment that makes a reference to a person’s age that perpetuates ageism.
Age equity is a social justice issue. It’s more relevant than ever, especially in a world that is ageing rapidly. Ageing adults deserve to be respected and accorded the same rights as others. It’s going to take a movement to set the record straight.
Choosing the image of the vintage Underwood typewriter and searching for an appropriate font for the ‘In This Issue’ section of our newsletter brought back rich memories of sights and sounds.
What is the first image that you conjure up when you think of someone who is elderly?
I began to ponder the similarities between the Feminist and Women’s Liberation movement of the 1960s and the increasing spread of today’s anti-ageism movement across the globe.
We don’t all need to be heroes. But as human beings on this planet, we all need purpose. And, increasingly, older people are choosing a different kind of retirement, one that focuses on fulfilling some purpose.