327 Gail Straus: The Power of Volunteering

[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: [email protected] 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:  [email protected]: 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 [email protected]

The third oldest of 17 children, Mildred J. Mills, 73, was raised on a farm in Alabama. At a young age, she began to imagine that she would be going places, even though she had no idea how or where she might go. In high school one of her teachers recognized her talent in mathematics and suggested she think about a technical college for data processing. Her Daddy surprised her by helping make that a reality. Life was full of surprises from that moment forward. “Sometimes in life we know it’s time to let go, and that, my friends, is a cotton patch moment.” - Mildred J. MillsWhat followed was a highly successful career in IT Management, two college degrees - a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in creative writing/nonfiction, and a very fulfilling life, not without its challenges, some major. It was when she left her job, at 60, that she began to think about writing a book. Daddy’s House tells the story of A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots.Mildred lives in Atlanta GA.Connect with Mildred:Email: [email protected]: MildredJMills.comBook: Daddy’s House: A Daughter’s Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her RootsPodcast: My Cotton Patch MomentThank you to our sponsor for this episode,  Women’s Connection.Our Podcast Collaborators’ monthly recommendation is Jennifer Fink’s Fading Memories

Judy Marjorie Collins, age 85, remains a legendary spokesperson for the American folk music scene and for older adults who still have a song to sing. We were delighted to be in conversation with Judy Collins.Folk singer, song writer, pianist, activist, author, and role-model, Judy continues to tour throughout the United States and many other countries. Judy vows, “I will never stop singing.” Throughout the decades, Judy’s music has reflected changing political climates and captured glimpses of life at particular moments in time. Her music remains as timely as ever. We look forward to her next album of duets and trios including a song by the late David Crosby.Judy continues to write about deeply personal experiences. Her latest book is Sometimes It’s Heaven: Poems of Love, Loss & Redemption. Connect with Judy:Publicist:  [email protected] her books. Available on Amazon2025: Sometimes It’s Heaven: Poems of Love, Loss & Redemption 2012: Memoir: Sweet Judy Blue Eyes: My Life in Music2007: The Seven T's: Finding Hope and Healing in the Wake of Tragedy 2006: Sanity & Grace: A Journey of Suicide, Survival, and Strength

Gina Orlando, age 72, created and was present at her own Celebration of Life in January 2025. Gina has been living with breast cancer for 11 years, the last three years in stage 4. She calls upon her expertise in holistic healing, voracious curiosity, and profound spiritual beliefs to navigate her journey toward end-of-life and ‘going to the light.’ Gina’s abundant intentions for her Celebration of Life: lifting things up for healing—for self, family, community, the world; giving people permission to think differently about their own death, to talk about it, and to plan for it; sharing gifts of love for self and others; and heightening awareness about healing and living wellwith an incurable disease. Gina is reaching hundreds of people with her powerful story of celebrating life.I draw on the mind, body, spirit paradigm while navigating my life and cancerjourney. - Gina OrlandoConnect with Gina OrlandoEmail [email protected] Gina Orlando MA, Wellness Coach Chicago, Oak ParkDirect link to Celebration of Life Servicehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ay5RdVEay7won the Ascension, Oak Park, YouTube channel.  Wednesday Journal article about Gina and her Celebration of Life servicehttps://www.oakpark.com/2025/02/05/print-edition-february-5-2025/  pgs.1 and 14 andpart of the editorial, pg. 23This episode is sponsored by Women’s Connectionhttps://www.womenconnecting.orgThis month’s Podcast Collaborator is Becoming Ellie-Fit Strong Women Over 50https://www.becomingelli.com

Women Over 70 - Aging Reimagined

At 77 years old, Connie Inukai is proving that innovation has no age limit. A former technical writing instructor for engineers, Connie spent years teaching others how to create clear, effective reports. Little did she know that one day, she’d be writing her own—this time, for her own invention.When she first conceived the idea for Tip ‘n Split, Connie applied the same skills she had taught for decades. She meticulously crafted reports, wrote an instruction manual, and designed brochures—working alongside her students as both teacher and entrepreneur.Determined to bring her product to market, she initially invested $3,000 in a marketing agency, only to see little progress. Refusing to give up, Connie took matters into her own hands. She retired from teaching and became her own marketer, salesperson, and advocate."Don’t be afraid of no. Figure out what to do and turn it into a yes!"Her persistence paid off. Tip ‘n Split has now been featured on QVC, The Today Show, The View, NBC News, and more. Even Walmart carries her invention.But Connie isn’t stopping there. With her entrepreneurial spirit still going strong, she’s already working on her next big idea—proving that retirement isn’t the end of the road; it’s just the beginning. CONNECT WITH CONNIE:E. [email protected] Tip n Split