`Aging Unbound’ is the Theme in Oak Park, River Forest & Forest Park

What are the dominant traits of those who remain vibrant into their 70s and beyond? According to Gail Zelitzky and Catherine Marienau, curiosity, creativity, courage, along with a passion to contribute and be engaged in community, provide a solid foundation.

They should know – as co-hosts of the “Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined” podcast, they have interviewed 230 guests since its inception four years ago.

Zelitzky, a business coach and lifelong entrepreneur, and Marienau, a longtime professor at DePaul University, shared their insights Thursday, May 11th during keynote remarks at the Celebrating Seniors Coalition’s luncheon.

Before an audience of about 100 people at Concordia University Chicago’s Koehneke Community Center, the women helped usher in nearly 50 events in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park under the Celebrating Seniors banner.

The events are an opportunity for people connect with one another, a crucial element that fosters well-being, noted Dr. Jim Flanagan, Celebrating Seniors Coalition founder. He cited a Harvard study that found socialization has the greatest impact on longevity –much more so than career achievement, money, extra exercise, or even a healthy diet.

Detailed on the Celebrating Seniors’ online calendar of events, the activities through Thursday, May 18th are nearly all free of charge. They provide a blend of educational and entertaining offerings at local libraries, colleges, senior living communities, park districts, businesses and elsewhere.

`Dare to Break Some Societal Rules'

Four summers ago, when Zelitzky approached Marienau about starting the podcast, her goal was to interview 70 women over the age of 70. “Count me in,” Marienau replied.

They have blown past that figure. The eldest, so far, was 103, and the podcast’s appeal has grown, with nearly 220,000 downloads generated.

Zelitzky pointed to a “vital, vibrant persistence” that permeates their guests’ lives.

“It seems it’s in their DNA,” Zelitzky said. “…it puts opportunities in their path…because you are who you are and you are that way, you continuously say `yes.’”

About one dozen “Women Over 70” guests have been Oak Parkers. Zelitzky and Marienau cited four as role models for those looking to continue making a positive impact well into their years:

*Susan Stall (Episode 161: Creative Housing Options for the Missing Middle)

*Teresa Powell (Episode 116: A Polymath for the Social Good”)

*Joyce Porter, (Episode 225: New Experiences Uncover New Talents)

*Jill O’Mahony Stewart (Episode 159: Using Professional Talents to Redress Societal Inequities).

They also noted other guests such as Annie Korzen, a longtime actor whose roles have included a part on Seinfeld whose embrace of a new way to connect with the world has resulted in her having 378,000 online followers who cumulatively have viewed her clips nearly 3 billion times. The subtitle of her podcast appearance captures it: TikTok Sensation at 83 Shares Her Wisdom with Younger Generations.

“Sharing the stories of vital, vibrant women definitely is something that others want to listen to,” Zelitzky said. “And these women tell the stories of aging unbound, and boundless possibilities. We’re thrilled that we have been able to do this together.”

Among those attending the luncheon were some 30 members of the past two years’ “Seniors Over 60” classes – a cross-section of the three communities who have made, and continue to make, important contributions. Their imprint contrasts with the myth that older adults are, in the words that Marienau used, “irrelevant or worse.”

In her overview of the courage that their guests exhibit, Marienau elaborated: “They’re bold, they’re daring. They live out loud, in the ways they dress and how they speak and how they act, the way they really want to. They take on challenging causes and problems. They dare to break some societal rules.”

With each new podcast episode, that’s precisely what “Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined” does.

To see the keynote presentation, visit https://tinyurl.com/WomenOver70.

About the Celebrating Seniors Coalition

Founded in 2010, with its inaugural Celebrating Seniors Week in May 2011, the Celebrating Seniors Coalition is a not-for-profit organization that aligns its efforts with Older Americans Month, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living.

In light of their focus on serving older adults through the shared Senior Services agency, Oak Park Township and River Forest Township are key partners. In addition, Celebrating Seniors has built robust partnerships with other government bodies throughout Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park, as well as Dominican University, Concordia University Chicago, social service agencies, businesses, and individuals.

Celebrating Seniors has helped dozens of people to meet the basic needs of daily living such as a new refrigerator, help with repair work around their home, or the addition of a necessary piece of furniture. The organization has also honored nearly 700 older adults who have made, and continue to make, significant contributions to the community.

To see this year’s calendar of events, current and past years’ `Seniors Over 60’ honorees, and to learn more about the Celebrating Seniors Coalition, please visit www.CelebratingSeniors.net.