In recognition of Women’s History Month, Smithtown Matters is proud to recognize the accomplishments of women.  It is fascinating to learn the wonderful and interesting ways women have made their mark on the world.  Throughout March, SmithtownMatters will give a brief history of women who made a difference.

Day 11- Maggie Kuhn - Leader of the revolt against “Ageism” Founder of the Gray Panther Movement

In 1970, at the age of 65, she met with a group of five of her friends to address the problems of retirees. The group that grew out of this meeting was named the Consultation of Older and Younger Adults for Social Change. After a year, this organization had 100 members. The group was later named the Gray Panthers  in 1972. In 1973, eleven chapters of the Gray Panthers were opened. In 1975, the Gray Panthers held its first national convention in Chicago. The Gray Panthers quickly received public notoriety and grew as a national organization. In 1990, the Gray Panthers public policy office opened in Washington, D.C. Kuhn described the mission of the Gray Panthers, “In the tradition of the women’s liberation movement, the common mission of all the Gray Panther groups was consciousness-raising. Instead of sexism, we were discovering “˜ageism’”“the segregation, stereotyping, and stigmatizing of people on the basis of age.” Over the years, the Gray Panthers have been involved in grassroots activities that deal with public and governmental policies that deal with the elderly.

Maggie Kuhn died in 1995. Before her death she wrote an autobiography entitled, The Life and Times of Maggie Kuhn. She had never married and was able to be involved in many activities that helped make significant changes in the welfare of the elderly. Speaking about never being married, she said, “Many people ask why I never married. My glib response is always “˜Sheer luck!’ When I look back on my life, I see so many things I could not have done if I had been tied to a husband and children.”

Maggie Kuhn, the Gray Panthers charismatic leader changed the face of society with regard to the elderly. She was a committed, hard-working woman who at age 65 began an organization that continues her tradition of fighting for a better life for all. Her advice for those who want to make a change in the world is, “Go to the people at the top”“that is my advice to anyone who wants to change the system, any system. Don’t moan and groan with like-minded souls. Don’t write letters or place a few phone calls and then sit back and wait. Leave safety behind. Putyour body  on the line. Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind”“even if your voice shakes. When you least expect it, someone may actually listen to what you have to say. Well-aimed slingshots can topple giants.”

Reprint From WomenSavers - http:http://www.womansavers.com/women-who-changed-history.asp andhttp://www.essortment.com/maggie-kuhn-founder-gray-panthers-39872.html#