Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined

Mary Beth Berkoff, age 82, founded her own PR company in her late 50s—and she still knows how to spotlight what’s good. Long before that, she was a teacher, an injury-prevention pioneer, and a public-affairs leader who helped pass Illinois’s seatbelt and child-restraint laws. Those roles taught her resilience, resourcefulness, and, as she likes to say, that “if you can teach junior high students, you can do anything.”Today, that same spirit infuses her life at The Admiral at the Lake, a continuous care retirement community in Chicago, where her gift for connecting people enriches both her days and those around her.Widowed in recent years, Mary Beth says that loss has both challenged and affirmed the words she lives by: “There is always something good around the next corner… I don’t stay defeated… I believe my life will continue to be great; I just need to do the work.”“There is no lonely where I live in community with other interesting and welcoming people.” - Mary Beth BerkoffConnect with Mary Beth:  Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])  www.theadmiral.org (http://www.theadmiral.org/)Recognizing the Age-Wise CollectiveWomen Over 70 is a proud member of the Age-Wise Collective, comprised of women-led podcasts that feature stories from women 50+ and topics that promote the pro-aging movement.Meet Suzy Rosenstein, podcast host of Women in the Middle: Loving Life After 50. Suzy shares the good, bad, ugly, and sometimes downright hysterical about growing older and making the changes women want so they don’t have regrets in their second chapter.

Denise Poncher, 73, has spent her life noticing experiences that call her to create. A multidisciplinary artist—-creative writer, documentary photographer, custom art framer, collagist, fiber explorer—-she treats each medium as a path toward deeper understanding. Legacy writing now invites her to weave together difficult losses of significant people with joyful threads of being a nurturing grandmother. Once a painfully shy child, Denise found courage and confidence through her art, ultimately bringing hidden stories such as domestic violence into public view during her MFA graduate work. Outside the corridors of art, she served in public service roles from Department of Justice inspector to equestrian instructor. Today, Denise continues to seek new forms of creative expression—-guided by the belief that personal truth has the power to resonate far beyond the self."The deeper I go into my own experience, the more universal my message becomes." - Denise PoncherConnect with Denise:Email: [email protected] art photography by Studio 626 in Oak Park, IL - AlignableThanks to our Sponsor—Women’s ConnectionCelebrating its 25th Anniversary, Women’s Connection is a member-driven nonprofit organization for vibrant, accomplished women who are 50 years old and beyond. In chapters around the country, including a virtual Coast-to-Coast (C2C) chapter, women connect to enjoy shared interests and empower each other to thrive. https://womenconnecting.orgRecognizing the AGE-WISE COLLECTIVEWomen Over 70 is a proud member of the Age-Wise Collective, comprised of women-led podcasts that feature stories from women 50+ and topics that promote the pro-aging movement. Meet: Ilana Landsberg-Lewis, host of Wisdom at Work: Older Women, Elderwomen, and Grandmothers on the Move! Profiles of disrupters and influencers who kick stereotypes to the curb. http://www.wisdomatworkpodcast.com

From the moment you hear Lynn Hazan, 70, speak, one thing is unmistakable: performance isn’t just something she does — it’s the lens through which she experiences the world.Born and raised in Canada, Lynn moves comfortably among French, English, and the Spanish and Hebrew she loves practicing. Her multicultural roots run deep: her parents were French citizens born in Egypt and Syria, and her Jewish faith has been a guiding force since childhood. It was at Jewish conferences, surrounded by stories and ideas, that Lynn first understood the power of storytelling to transform communication.Curiosity drives her. Travel energizes her. She has journeyed on multiple humanitarian trips, including a 1995 performing tour in Ukraine that left a lasting imprint. Wherever she goes, Lynn becomes a bridge — sharing stories people-to-people, culture-to-culture. Her own family’s history inspires her daily; she lost her father at 12 and her mother decades later at 92, and their lives continue to shape her sense of purpose.Professionally, Lynn is a force of creativity. A natural salesperson from the start, she built a dynamic recruitment business where imagination and strategy coexist. She channels her love of storytelling into every interaction, coaching candidates to “sell themselves” with clarity and confidence. It’s why she’s widely known as the storytelling recruiter — a title she carries proudly and passes on to her interns like a legacy. “I thrive on creativity, ask a million questions and learn wherever I go.” - Lynn HazanCONNECT WITH LYNN:Email: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])Website: lhazan.com (http://lhazan.com)

Long a member of the Apostolic Church of God in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago, Darlene’s faith has been a constant even as she experiences the inevitable ups and downs of life. At 71, Darlene’s serene manner shines through and she peppers her conversation with thoughtful musings based on living a life of scripture. And a successful life it has been, despite an unsettling bout with breast cancer - happily married, blessed with a healthy child born in later life, and a “bonus” son; her career as an IRS agent and accountant fulfill her. Darlene’s interests are varied. She is a lifelong learner full of curiosity about the world she lives in, and loves to travel to jazz festivals in this country and beyond. Conscious of the importance of physical activity and social endeavors, she also serves with the Women’s Ministry and teaches at Children’s Church. "Don’t worry about anything, pray for everything - God will give me peace." - Darlene Norman

When Laurel married in her late 50s, she never imagined she’d become her husband’s full-time caregiver just five years later. Now, twenty years into that journey, she calls it a blessing: “He is so easy to care for…. I have released early feelings of resentment, realizing that I’ve been training my whole life to do this.”As Director of Strategic Initiatives for The Village Chicago, Laurel works mainly from home, crafting a monthly newsletter that shines a light on aging and ageism. Reflecting on life in her late-80s, she says, “I feel more myself than ever before in my life.”“I consider myself a solo ager because I am primary caregiver for my husband and am making all decisions and doing all tasks by myself.” - Laurel BaerConnect with Laurel:Email [email protected] Village Chicago https://thevillagechicago.orgThanks to our Sponsor—Plymouth Place, LaGrange Park, ILDiscover the extraordinary at Plymouth Place—a vibrant community designed for active adults. Elevate your retirement living experience with tailored independent options, premier amenities, and a full continuum of care. https://plymouthplace.orgRecognizing the AGE-WISE COLLECTIVEWomen Over 70 is a proud member of the Age-Wise Collective, comprised of women-led podcasts that feature stories from women 50+ and topics that promote the pro-aging movement.MEET: Yvonne Marchese, founder and host of Late Bloomer Living https://www.latebloomerliving.com a podcast for women in midlife, inspiring and cheering each other on, sharing stories and taking bold action, in order to define and rock the next chapter of life and achieve new life goals