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Inspiration from an “older” worker
By Rae A. Eastman
At a recent get-together, Martha Seymour’s friends roared with laughter when told that she was to be the subject of an article for the September issue of “Berkshire Senior" during a month that recognizes the accomplishments and contributions of older workers. Most of Seymour’s friends are over “retirement age” and, she adds, “Some work more hours than I do.”
Seymour currently works for Elder Services of Berkshire County one day a week as a member of the SHINE (Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders) staff, and several days a week also for Hancock Shaker Village. At Shaker Village, she demonstrates spinning and weaving techniques while interpreting the Shaker way of life.
Reflecting on the changes she has seen for seniors and women within the last 50 years, Seymour says, “Women and seniors in general were discriminated against. No question about it. Later, as employers showed greater willingness to hire them, seniors and women got honorable mention; indeed were pointed out for their abilities and productivity. “Now,” she continued, “my friends and I are part of the mainstream, recognized and respected for our sense of responsibility, work ethic, and years of experience.
Seniors work to keep active, to continue doing what they enjoy, and to stay in touch with people for all kinds of reasons.” As a matter of contrast, Seymour described a photograph of her with her grandmother who was age 70. “There she was in her flowered housedress, a lady who never worked outside the home after marriage, never drove a car, never wore blue jeans, and certainly at that time in her life would not have taken a bike ride or gone swimming, and yet, she was the ‘norm.’”
The increasing acceptance of seniors in the workplace, and the changing lifestyles of the new generation of seniors, may well impact elder programs, she believes, changing their focus and influencing senior centers as they expand their activities. “Quite honestly, many active seniors don’t see traditional senior programs or centers as relevant to their life. I am glad to see the centers respond to meet many needs with inclusion of active programs and more outreach to “younger” seniors.”
Seymour, now “downsized” and living in a neat, small condo in Dalton, had her share of family responsibility when she became her mother’s caregiver toward the end of her mother’s life. But that did not end her working life, which earlier included 22 years in banking, and several years at a YMCA. Then, drawn to social work after her business career, she spent nearly three years at Elder Services as the SHINE Program Coordinator. Last year she returned to the SHINE program as a clerical staff member and a SHINE counselor.
Seymour’s other job, teaching and demonstrating spinning and weaving the nineteenth-century way, is a joy as well. The process from “sheep to shawl” — carding, spinning, weaving — is a brand new concept to many youngsters and their parents. “Spinning and weaving are two of my favorite activities . . . I do both at home as well, and I try to spin at least 20 minutes every morning . . . it’s so relaxing. Working at the Village is a perfect combination: doing something I love, sharing it with others, and getting paid for it!”
She showed a basket of wool in the loveliest, softest colors imaginable . . . all dyed from natural materials such as goldenrod, Queen Anne’s Lace, and black walnut. Seymour said, “Life is, or should be, a continual learning process. There’s always something else to learn, and then comes the pleasure of using that knowledge and sharing it with others.” Seymour walks the talk. She is now in her fourth year of the Master Weaver’s program at Hill Institute in nearby Florence, MA. Seymour concludes, “Fibers, colors, and weave structures fascinate me, and possibilities are endless. And I love teaching . . . sharing with others . . . and if you do something you enjoy, these opportunities will follow.”
Rae Eastman is currently a volunteer with Berkshire Talking Chronicle. She is the retired Sheffield Council on Aging Director and resides in Lakeville.