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HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS Women History Month Salute: Dr. Marcella Maxwell – Living Life Like It’s GOLDEN

By Hazel Rosetta Smith

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When I think of someone who epitomizes what being a seasoned citizen should look like, the first name that pops up is Dr. Marcella Maxwell. Age is a chronological number of a life journey, but it cannot

Dr. Marcella Maxwell surrounded by students

Seniors for Hearing Forum CB10 Senior Task Force Members Golden Life Partnership Forum Panelists

Dr. Maxwell with members of the Links Partners Join Hearing Matters in Aging

deter the ongoing work of a distinguished elder in her nineties, who has set her heart and mind to encourage seniors to live life like it is golden, healthy and spiritually wealthy.

An actively productive life has led to such a time as this when she is sharing her insight, knowledge and experience to light the way for seniors to grow gracefully in mind, body and spirit.

Through educational seminars, workshops and conferences that provide indepth information from speciaists in numerous fields, Dr. Maxwell opens the door for seniors to garner what they need to know from those in the know. She has a plan and a purpose that is the basis of all she offers – Knowledge is Power!

Leadership is the position she manages exceptionally well, however, her

ability to engage other like minded individuals and organizations is essentially why every thing baring her name has been successful with faithful followers clammering for more.

Community partnerships thus far have included AARP, Access-A-Ride, Dept. of Transportation, Esplanade Gardens, Dept. of Aging, Lighthouse Guild, New York Connects, Medicare & Health Plans, CaringKind Alzheimer, Center for Hearing & Communication, Mt. Sinai Medical Center doctors and health practitioners, NY Presbyterian Hospital Pharmacists and the Abyssinian Baptist Church Health Ministry among numerous others.

It is at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, pastored by the Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts, III, that Dr. Maxwell heads the Golden Life Senior

Ministry. Pre-COVID-19, numerous seminars were convened at the church.

Long before Marcella Maxwell was distinguished as a senior advocate and geriatric educator, she was a founding dean and clinical supervisor of teaching fellows at Medgar Evers College, part of the City University of New York. In this role, she trained and mentored teaching fellows to foster their profession-

al development. organized collaboration among principals, teachers and other faculty, spearheaded team-building seminars, curriculum design and development, and initiated instructional strategies and methods.

Additionally, Dr. Maxwell served as Commissioner of Human Rights and Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women under New York City Mayors

Koch and Dinkins.

Volunteerism has always been a commitment, as a platinum (50-year) member of the Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Inc., lifetime member of the NAACP and as an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s North Manhattan Alumnae chapter and its National Social Action Commission.

She successfully completed the extensive Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management Program at Harvard Business School. She is also the NGO representative for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at the United Nations. Dr. Maxwell received a master’s degree in elementary education from Long Island University and her doctorate in education from Fordham University.

The new normal of virtual presentation has come upon us but has not stifled Dr. Maxwell’s determination to keep seniors informed. She has zoomed into the Webinar arena with three successful sessions, Getting Here to There During COVID (Revisit Access-A-Ride); How to Age Successfully during COVID-19, and Emerging Perspectives on the COVID Pandemic (Vaccines).

It has been a personal pleasure for me to cover the works of Dr. Maxwell for Harlem Community News. I have no doubt there is more information gathering taking place right now and partnerships in place for scheduling. The aim is clear and calculated to keep seniors aware and able to maneuver through the changes that have already become our new normal.

God bless you mightily, Marcella Maxwell for your caring and sharing. You are appreciated, loved, and deservedly honored in this March 2021 Women’s Month. [Hazel Rosetta Smith is a journalist, playwright, and artistic director of HRS Speaks; retired former Managing Editor and Woman’s Editor of the New York Beacon News and current columnist for Harlem Community News, Inc. Contact: misshazel@twc.com]

How Can Women Overcome Obstacles to Financial Security?

By: Edward Jones Financial Advisor. Edward Jones, Member SIPC

On March 8, we observed International Women’s come full-time caregivers of aging parents or other relatives. Caregiving duties gained 16,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which also reported Day, a celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Of course, women still tend to encounter more obstacles than men in the pursuit of financial security. Let’s consider a few of them.

To begin with, women are still more likely to leave the workforce, at least temporarily, to raise children, resulting in lower contributions to employer-sponsored retirement plans such as 401(k)s. And women are often the ones who becan exact a big financial toll: The lost wages, pensions (including 401(k)s and similar plans) and Social Security benefits that a woman loses to become a full-time caregiver amount to more than $300,000 over her lifetime, according to the National Academy of Sciences. Women also may be more susceptible to financial downturns. Consider the COVID-19 pandemic: Just a few months ago, in December, women lost 156,000 jobs, while men that women accounted for 54% of the jobs lost from the pandemic in 2020. And women are not unaware of their circumstances and outlook. Just 41% of women are confident about retirement, compared with 56% of men, according to a survey by Edward Jones and Age Wave. But if you’re a woman, you can take steps to help improve your financial outlook. Here are a few suggestions: Take full advantage of retirement plans If you are still working and your employer offers a 401(k) or similar retirement plan, take full advantage of it. Put in as much as you can afford each year and increase your contributions when your salary goes up. Also, within your plan, you’ll want to choose the mix of investments that can help provide the most growth potential, given your individual risk tolerance. Also, even if you contribute to a 401(k) or similar plan, you may also be eligible to fund an IRA, which gives you even more investment choices.

Evaluate your Social Security options You can typically start taking Social Security benefits when you’re 62, but your monthly checks will be much larger if you wait until your “full” retirement age, which will likely be between 66 and 67. You might also consider whether you’d be better off by taking spousal benefits, if you’re married and your spouse earned more money than you. You’re generally even eligible for spousal benefits if you are divorced, as long as you were married at least 10 years and you haven’t remarried.

Look for unexpected income opportunities Even after you’ve formally retired, you may still find ways to receive some earned income. Perhaps you can work part time or do some consulting. And if you’re a caregiver, you might be able to receive some compensation for your work. Many local governments pay non-spouse caregivers who act as personal attendants, although the rules vary greatly by state and county.

These certainly aren’t the only ways you can improve your financial status, but they may prove useful to you. In any case, be aware of the challenges facing you and do whatever you can to brighten your future.

BRONX UPCOMING EVENTS

Now Until March 29

March is Music- 15th Anniversary

Pregones/Puerto Rican Traveling Theater announces a stellar lineup of traditional, classical, and contemporary musical artists marking the 15th Anniversary of its popular MARCH IS MUSIC concert series. 15 FREE events total! 8 concerts by Latinx and international talent plus 6 special episodes of Pregones/ PRTT’s Spotlight: Creatives at Workand Bronx Film Wednesdays illustrate the series’ expansive curatorial vision and status as a must-do event for artists and music lovers alike. You can join on Pregones’ Facebook, Vimeo, or YouTube pages.

March 11 12:30-2:30pm

Blank Plate Food

Demos

Please attend a Blank Plate Food Demo hosted by Bascom Catering at THE POINT! All ages can join in and learn how to make healthy meals that are full of flavor and support a healthy immune system. Join on The Point CDC Instagram Live. FREE.

March 12 7:30pm

Guy Davis Solo in

Concert

Returning to the Hostos Center stages for the first time in six years, veteran blues artist and Bronx resident Guy Davis performs in a solo concert on the stage of Hostos’ Main Theater. Son of the late civil rights icons and acclaimed actors Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, Guy Davis is a contemporary interpreter of the country blues tradition. In this special solo concert, Guy Davis will perform both original songs and blues standards informed by current events, black history and punctuated by great storytelling - all delivered effortlessly with his often-humorous way with words. Join to celebrate! hostos.cuny.edu for FREE.

March 12 11:00-12:00pm

A Bolete Story: 50 Years of Macrofungi

Join mushroom expert Roy Halling on a virtual exploration of macrofungal biodiversity and the highlights of his career as a mycologist at The New York Botanical Garden. Online at nybg.org FREE. A convo with cita and jose (Mar 11)

March 11 7:30pm

A Conversation with Cita Rodríguez and

José Calderón

Using a combination of video clips and cameo guests, host José Calderón (of The Mambo Machine, WKCR 89.9 FM and Que Viva La Música, WFDU 89.1 FM), will speak LIVE with Cita Rodríguez and her special guests about her dedication to salsa. Join online at hostos.cuny.edu for FREE.

March 13-21

Rhythm of Dance

This incredible live show creates a new era in Irish entertainment, containing a wealth of Irish talent, featuring World and Irish champion dancers, some of the finest Traditional musicians and singers who are a big hit everywhere. Combining traditional dance and music with the most up to date stage technology, this two-hour dance and music extravaganza takes the audiences on an exhilarating and exciting, energy-packed time trip through the ages. Join online at lehmancenter.org $23.50

March 13 10:00-11:00am

FAP: Divine Desert

Dwellers

Take a break from the northeast winter blues and imagine yourself among the divine desert dwellers: our sweet succulent friends. Study the shapes that succulents take to retain water and emulate their prickly powers with sand art. Observe the resiliency of a succulent to survive harsh conditions and take a cue before you return to ride out the last few weeks of winter. Join online at wavehill.org FREE.

March 13 11:00-1:00pm

The Pelham Bay

Super Hike

Urban Park Rangers will introduce you to the hidden gems of New York City. Hiking programs feature intensity levels ranging from light to moderate to vigorous. This challenging hike winds its way through many diverse forests and ecosystems in Pelham Bay Park, Bronx. FREE. Guy Davis in concert (Mar 12)

March 14 11:00-12:00pm

Historic New York: Putnam Greenway Bike Tour

Join the Rangers in a journey through time along the historic Putnam Greenway and learn about the history of this old train line. Hop on your bike and take a spin along this historic trail with the Rangers. Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx. FREE. March 14 Irish trolley tour (Mar 14)

12:00 & 2:30pm

Woodlawn’s Irish American Trolley Tour

Come along on the Woodlawn Conservancy Trolley for their annual Irish-American tour. Visit beautiful Celtic gravestones and mausoleums of Irish-Americans in time for St. Patrick’s Day. See the final resting places of actors, authors, patriots and politicians, including Geraldine Fitzgerald, Chauncey Olcott, and James Gralton. Register online at woodlawn.org Woodlawn Cemetery, Jerome Avenue Entrance $30.

March 15 12:30-1:30pm

Winter Workspace Drop-in Mondays

Three Winter Workspace artists and a member of Wave Hill’s curatorial team come together for casual conversations about life and storytelling. These 20 to 30-minute programs capture the spirit of the workspace, where artists and curatorial staff share and bond over lived experiences and perspectives. Join online at wavehill.org FREE.

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