Dear Friends,
I have been reading my way through a treasure trove of historical documents and photos that were given to me recently by Betsy Werley, TTN’s first Executive Director.
I’m fascinated by what I’m finding here! One discovery is that in October 2006 a global organization called Ashoka awarded its Purpose Prize to TTN and elected one of our founders, Charlotte Frank, to a position as a Fellow. Ashoka is a global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs — people with innovative, large-scale ideas for addressing social issues. TTN was recognized for two things: (1) using innovative approaches to promote positive aging and (2) providing opportunities for women over 50 to “sustain a sense of achievement, find intellectual stimulation, form new social bonds, and reach out to the greater community”.
That description sounds a lot like the way we still describe our purpose. Over the years, though, Charlotte’s vision of TTN becoming a globally recognized advocate for women over 50 – a fierce fighting force against ageism – has shifted inward to focus more on empowering our members to find their own sense of purpose.
I don’t know whether dropping the intention to change society’s biased and inaccurate views of older women was intentional, or whether it happened organically as Charlotte retired from the organization. It certainly wasn't because the ageism problem was solved! As we know, discrimination against people because of their age is still very much with us, even though both women and men are living and working longer.
What’s clear to me is that finding and pursuing “purpose” – both personally and as a community – is a powerful tool (dare I say weapon?) against ageism. This isn’t just my opinion. There is scientific proof of it.
A lot of research has been done in recent years on the negative effects of ageism. A major study published in 2022 by the NIH’s National Library of Medicine confirmed that age discrimination has harmful effects on psychological well-being and physical health. It also found, however, that people who are proud of their age, optimistic about their futures, self-confident about their bodies and flexible in setting goals are more or less immune to these effects. In other words, they don’t care what strangers think about them.
How do these people get so amazing? How do they feel happier and live longer? Experts in the growing, evidence-based field of positive psychology say it’s because they have a sense of purpose.
To psychologists, “purpose” is an enduring intention to achieve a long-term goal that is both personally meaningful and makes a difference for other people. A sense of purpose can come from virtually any source, from launching a company to teaching kids how to read. And it will change over the course of our lives.
This means that we can’t achieve “purpose” once and be done with it. It’s a lifelong journey, a practice. It’s accessible at any age, if we’re willing to explore what matters to us and what kind of person we want to be – and then take action to become that person.
Membership in the TTN community gives us an opportunity to fill our lives with purpose as we navigate milestones and transitions together. If you’re feeling adrift, I encourage you to get more involved with your chapter. Join a Special Interest Group (SIG) or Transition Peer Group (TPG). Sign up for a Women in Transition Workshop. Attend some events. Volunteer with fellow chapter members for a charitable cause.
And please, get involved in the engine that keeps your chapter running! TTN exists because members work together as volunteers to organize events, manage functions and use their skills and abilities to make TTN a very special place to belong. Find a way, no matter how small, to do your part. You will have fun. You’ll make friends. And there is a very good chance you’ll find a sense of purpose.
Affectionately,
Darla