Aging, Agency, and Activism: Older Women as Social Change Agents

Abstract

Current cohorts of older women are potential social activists, and their potential to contribute to social change is examined. It is argued that engagement in social action is positive and empowering for aging women. Older women both contribute to and benefit from social capital, connections among individuals in social networks, and norms of reciprocity (Putnam, 2000). Recommendations are offered for organizations that wish to recruit and engage older women as members. A feminist therapy perspective is consistent with the empowerment of older women as social agents.

KEYWORDS:

• AAUW
• activism
• agency
• aging
• Baby Boomers
• collective agency
• community organizing
• older women
• Older Women's League
• Raging Grannies
• Red Hat Society
• social capital
• social justice

Notes

An earlier version of this paper was presented at the Symposium on Women, Power, & Aging at Pace University in New York City, September 2010.