Women Over 70: Aging Reimagined

• 358 Denise Poncher: Art as Compass: Following the Pull of Creative Expression

  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

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• 357 Lynn Hazan: A Passion for Performance

  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]: lhazan.com

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• 356 Darlene Norman: Belief in Your Own Advocacy Starts with Faith

  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

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• 355 Laurel Baer: Caregiving Offers a Deep Sense of Purpose

  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

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• 354 Jody Wilhelm: From Rural Recluse to Global Filmmaker

  Jody’s life reads like a movie—one she ultimately wrote and directed herself. Growing up in isolation and surviving severe trauma, she moved through poverty, rape, separation from siblings, and profound loss—the deaths of her mother, grandmother, and daughter. Yet Jody transformed her pain into purpose, becoming a mother, model, teacher, TV’s beloved adult facilitator on Romper Room, guidance counselor, and author. At 84, she achieved what few could imagine: becoming the Oldest Female First-Time Feature Filmmaker, earning awards and international recognition. Her film, Letters to Stephanie, tells an inspiring adoption story drawn from her decades-long fight to reconnect with her granddaughter. When South Carolina law blocked grandparents from signing the Adoption Reunion Registry, Jody helped change it. Now, at 85, she’s writing her memoir—the final dream on her bucket list. Jody’s journey is a radiant testament to resilience, courage, and the unstoppable power of reinvention.“Enjoy life. There’s plenty of time to be dead. Don’t listen to dream snatchers—and know who your angels are.” - Jody WilhelmConnect with Jody Email: [email protected] Letters to Stephanie: Letters to Stephanie (2024) directed by Jo-Ann Wilhelm • Reviews, film + cast • LetterboxdLearn more about Jody: This is 85: Filmmaker Jo-Ann "Jody" Wilhelm Responds to The Oldster Magazine QuestionnaireThanks to our Sponsor Plymouth Place in LaGrange Park, IL Discover 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. Explore our diverse living choices and embrace the joy of a life well-lived.https://plymouthplace.orgThanks to Age-Wise Collective Women 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 Livinghttps://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.

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