I am always looking for great advice for finding one’s voice and staying active in the community. I rarely have to go far, especially when looking beyond my peers, especially to senior citizens. Yesterday, Ms. Sansone, a 101 year old New Yorker gives life advice I can recommend for others, and that I can take personally.
Apart from her main points, gathered by the Times into broad headers on civic engagement and political engagement, I find it interesting that she has a few things in between the lines we can take from and continue.
- Get engaged from a very young age. She started her work from the age of 12 as a volunteer and support unions. In Kenya, the activist and political aspirant Boniface Mwangi has been well documented for speaking out in Kenya against corruption, abuse of power and for justice. He often shares images of his family joining him on the campaign and activism trail – like here
- From a great loss (her child at age 31), she started a foundation to help others find their voice and purpose in their communities. We can too.
- Go to those nearest you and ask how you can help them. Especially houses of worship and community service organizations. Right now, you can help Sierra Leone Mudslide Relief (International Federation for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies appeal for help) and Houston Hurricane Relief
- Talk to your representatives and attend their meetings, and community gatherings. They work for the public. Make sure they know that you are a member of their constituency.
- Use social media to get more people to know about the issues and come to meetings with you.
- Get involved with the issue whether it directly affects you or not.
Thank you Ms. Sansone for this timely reminder.
First time reader here? You can learn more about finding your next opportunity, showing up as a key part of your participation, and learn more about success
