From the President
Marilyn Bossert | President, ARTA
“Ageism” is a term that I had not given much thought to until my
recent trip to Ottawa for the Association canadienne des enseignantes
et des enseignants retraités–Canadian Association of Retired Teachers
(ACER-CART) annual general meeting. The first concern came from
a Manitoba delegate and the second from the Honourable Filomena
Tassi, Minister of Seniors.
Although my reading and research time is
currently in short supply, I have found three
enlightening sources.
1. The World Health Organization defines ageism
as “stereotyping and discrimination against
individuals or groups on the basis of their age.”
2. University of Alberta researchers Donna Wilson
and Gayle Low refute the stereotype “Hit 65 and
your body falls apart, your health gets dodgy
and your value in society plummets” in a CBC
interview on May 16, 2019.
3. Ashton Applewhite, author of This Chair Rocks:
A Manifesto Against Ageism, believes the
underlying message of ageism is “To grow old
is to lose value as a human being.”
The World Health Organization offers an
Ageing Attitudes Quiz designed to determine
our own views and to learn what we know
about ageism. It can be found on their website who.int/ageing/features/attitudes-quiz/en/.
Question 6: “Older adults are a drain on the
economy, including health care systems.”
The answer is False with the accompanying
explanation:
Older people make significant contributions
to our societies, many of which go unrecognized.
For example, across the world older adults
provide childcare, strengthen communities,
and provide economic support to their children
and grandchildren.
A study in the United Kingdom showed that
contributions by older people, through taxation,
spending, and other activities was worth over US$50
billion more than the money spent on older people
through pensions, welfare, and health combined.
The next part of my message has nothing to do
with ageism, but instead is about my personal change
in direction.
Serving the ARTA membership over the years has
included problems to solve, lessons to learn, and
experiences to enjoy.
My journey with ARTA goes back to the day Jean Watt
called to entice me to become a writer for news&views .
Since then, I have served on the Board of Directors
as branch president, a committee member chair,
vice-president, and president.
My heartfelt appreciation for their support on my
ARTA journey includes so many people: 1) executive
members Juanita Knight, Gordon Cumming, Dolaine
Koch, and Lorna McIlroy; 2) Daniel Mulloy and the rest of the ARTA staff; 3) the members of the ARTA Board of
Directors; 4) my branch CERTA, and last, but certainly
not least, 5) my husband Ken along with our family.
I can’t imagine undertaking this journey without them!
My ARTA journey will continue but with a slight change
in direction — this time in the role of past president.
In my role as president and on behalf of all ARTA
members, I wish to take this opportunity to express
our gratitude to Robin Carson for all his work on our
magazine throughout his term as editor. Robin and Susan,
enjoy the beautiful province of Prince Edward Island in
the years to come!
ARTA welcomes as editor-in-chief, Margaret Sadler,
our former associate editor. ●
All three sources agree that more research is needed
to influence change; they also leave us with a sense of
uneasiness and much to contemplate.
news&views AUTUMN 2019 | 5