Nancy Aossey, President and CEO, International Medical Corps
Ageism is the "last area of discrimination," says Sherry Lansing of the Sherry Lansing Foundation, with Jennie Chin Hansen, right, the president of AARP.
Whether it's using one's skills and experience, working on a cause that's affected someone close, or learning new skills, increasingly people over the age of 50 are choosing to be philanthropically and civically engaged. That was certainly true for Sherry Lansing, founder and CEO of the namesake foundation she started when she turned 60. As Jennie Chin Hansen, president of AARP stated, "People want to participate and shape their destiny for this country and for their grandchildren."
With a membership of close to 40 million, the AARP and individuals like Lansing are helping to reframe what it means to be retired. Citing the fact that today's AARP encompasses three generations of members — in which grandma, mom and daughter are all active and over the age of 50 — Hansen said that there were demographic imperatives demolishing old stereotypes: "This is not just your grandmother's AARP." In fact, as moderator Nancy Aossey, president and CEO of International Medical Corps pointed out, the AARP cast off its old name, the "American Association of Retired People," and went with just the acronym in response to the reality that half of AARP's members work either full or half time.
Part of the need to rethink our notions comes from the fact that ageism is still prevalent in our society. Experience is devalued in a society where youth culture dominates. As Lansing mentioned, perhaps ageism is the "last area of discrimination." Seizing Jeri Sedlar's spirit of "Don't Retire, Rewire!" both Hansen and Lansing encouraged a semantic sea change in order to harness the movement to redefine aging. "Call AARP the American Association of Rewired Persons!" Lansing exclaimed. If 50 and up is to be seen as the prime of someone's life, the language should reflect their relevance to the times. Rather than talking about "volunteers," Lansing preferred the term "social entrepreneurs." She also made the pointed distinction between charity and philanthropy: "Charity in the past meant that you gave money. Philanthropy means you want to affect a change with the money you give, and that's very empowering."
It is imperative, then, for baby boomers and the generations that came before, to harness a movement. Hansen spoke to the importance of harnessing public-private partnerships and agreeing on core principles surrounding societal issues like health care. In today's economy, these partnerships are especially crucial.
The panel served up a powerful reminder that people over the age of 50 are equipped today, more than ever before, with the health and the wealth to make a difference.
Global Conference 2013
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, philanthropist Bill Gates and Strive Masiyiwa of Econet Wireless discuss advancing prosperity in Africa.
