News & Events

In the last year, Michelle Arnot, President of GPNYC and I both became grandparents. Like so many new grandparents, we expected joy, awe, and an overwhelming sense of love. We got all of that. What we did not expect was fear. There was a time when the birth of a child in the United States was widely seen as an honor—an unquestioned marker of opportunity, safety, and possibility. It did not mean life would be easy, but it carried a promise that the future could be faced with h

Featuring: Susie Singer-Carter, Sherry Perry, Lori Porter Date/Time: Feb 12 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern   In collaboration with Art Against Ageism (AAA), please join us for a dynamic discussion about ageist and ableist policies and structures within long-term care in the United States and how films such as “No Country for Old People” help to expose their damaging impact.   AAA Co-Founder and Gray Panthers NYC Board Member Meg LaPorte will moderate a dynamic discussion with filmmaker

Vision Into Action: Intergenerational Work of Our Rising Leaders Transformation Tuesday | January 27, 2026 Hosted by Gray Panthers NYC Gray Panthers NYC kicked off 2026 with a reminder that the future of aging justice isn’t an abstract idea—it’s already being built, in real communities, by people who refuse to accept the tired story that aging means decline, isolation, or invisibility. This special program featured alumni of the Rising Leaders Award  (generously sponsored by

An Eyewitness Report from Minneapolis Q&A with Judy Lear, Former President of Gray Panthers NYC As federal immigration enforcement operations intensify in Minneapolis — including multiple fatal shootings involving border agents — daily life for many immigrant and undocumented residents has become fraught with fear and uncertainty. GPNYC: What is the current atmosphere in Minneapolis? Judy: Businesses here are choosing to close voluntarily because owners and employees fear po

During these challenging times for the United States and for the world, let’s act on the inspiring words of Maggie Kuhn, the founder of Gray Panthers.   “Leave safety behind. Put your body on the line. Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind – even if your voice shakes. When you least expect it, someone may actually listen to what you have to say. Well-aimed slingshots can topple giants.”   We’ve been witnessing advancing fascism and the horrors of this current a

1) How to create a caregiving plan: the ‘Club Sandwich’ Generation The Why? What family caregivers do and why Plan, plan, plan, even though many families don’t. Work as a team with family members, direct care providers and professionals.  Be resilient, prepared for change. The unexpected will happen, but it’s not as unpredictable as you think. Break down planning in 3 manageable sectors: health care & long-term care; finance, legal affairs & estate/legacy issues. Where is all

When I tell many of my friends that I actually enjoy getting older (and most of my peers and I are in our late twenties to mid thirties), the responses I often get are some version of perplexed. And I get it. We live in a society where aging and getting older are often viewed as negatives. Otherwise, why would we have anti-aging creams and hair products that take our grey hairs out? But I actually love getting older. Honestly, I do. But…why? Especially in an ageist society wh

While New York awaits Governor Hochul to sign the Medical Aid in Dying Act , Assembly Bill A.136 and Senate Bill S.138 in the 2025-2026 legislative session.  Let’s discuss Death with Dignity, and how it is  About Honoring a Dying Person’s Choice. Few topics generate as much confusion, fear, and moral tension as Death with Dignity . Too often, it is casually labeled as “suicide,” dismissed as “euthanasia,” or framed as a slippery slope. These misunderstandings overlook a centr

(Help us by taking our 2026 planning survey !) As we come to the close of a challenging and consequential year, I find myself reflecting with gratitude—and resolve—on what the Gray Panthers NYC community has accomplished together. Also, we want to hear from you! At the bottom of this email—please take a few minutes to share your reflections in the survey .   In a time when ageism continues to shape public policy, healthcare, housing, and employment, our work has never been mo

# 2025: A Year of Action, Advocacy, and Intergenerational Power This year, Gray Panthers NYC continued to grow the movement for age justice—from city streets to global stages. Our 2025 Annual Impact Report celebrates the people and partnerships that made it possible. Highlights of Our Impact Inside, you’ll find highlights from: 🗣️ Five years of Transformation Tuesdays — conversations that challenge ageism and inspire connection. 🤝 New partnerships that amplified our voic

As the current administration changes federal student loan rules and redefines who meets “ professional ” criteria for graduate-level programs, many people see this as simply a financial adjustment. In reality the impact goes far deeper and it will be very dangerous. These changes disproportionately harm the very workforce that holds up our healthcare system—women and racial and ethnic minorities. The results are not theoretical. They are immediate, structural, and will  jeop

Transformation Tuesday | November 25, 2025,   Hosted by Gray Panthers NYC Speaker:  Amy Paul, Founder of Heirloom Words As we closed out our 2025 Transformation Tuesday season, Amy Paul invited us to think not just about what  we leave behind, but how  we want to be remembered—and how our words can carry love, wisdom, and comfort long after we’re gone. This session reframed “legacy” from dollars and documents to something more human: the stories, values, and hard-won lessons

As I’m drafting this, I am in the middle of a move, from one apartment to another. I love my new apartment, but…   If I had mobility limitations, it would be either difficult or impossible (depending on the limitation) to live where I am moving to.   To explain some more, I live on the second floor of my new building, and there is no elevator. That is not a problem for me, a person who is currently able-bodied. But that would be a problem if I struggled to move around, and im

The Importance of Awareness and Education More and more in the media, we are hearing about dementia. The different types, symptoms, and risk factors are being discussed frequently. This increased awareness is beneficial for many reasons. It promotes advocacy, research, and support for caregivers. Education is invaluable. People can see that they are not alone in their struggles with a loved one who has dementia. They can identify red flags that may signal the need for a docto

Each November, we celebrate national Family Caregivers Month, honoring the millions of unpaid family members who care for children, adults, and seniors with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or other complex needs. Organized by the Caregiver Action Network, this year’s observance emphasizes self-care, with the theme: "Take Care to Give Care." Indeed, caring for an aging loved one or family member with special needs is one of the most generous gifts you can give—and probably on

Transformation Tuesday | October 28, 2025   Hosted by Gray Panthers NYC When it comes to long-term care for America’s veterans, the needs are as diverse as the generations who have served. From World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan, the conversation is shifting—who receives care, how that care is delivered, and what benefits go untapped. This Transformation Tuesday  featured Ashton Stewart , Program Manager at MJHS  and a U.S. Navy veteran , in conversation with Jenine Ferrari

Now that the shutdown has gone on for a little while, some of us may have seen by now a number of “How does the government shutdown affect ______?” articles. But given Gray Panthers’ history of advocating for the rights of older persons, we want to focus on how the shutdown affects older persons. Here are a few notable ways in which the shutdown affects older persons: Financial Challenges for Federally Funded Health Centers Federal dollars is (obviously) a major source of rev

The Power of Age-Diversity in Dismantling Ageism: A Call to Action Transformation Tuesday | September 2025 Hosted by Gray Panthers NYC During the September 2025 Transformation Tuesday , Gray Panthers NYC explored one of the most effective ways to fight ageism: bringing generations together. This event highlighted the importance of age-diversity in creating a more inclusive society. Moderated by board member Meg LaPorte , the program, “The Power of Age-Diversity in Dismantli

Think of your brain as a savings account. Every time you learn something new, engage in conversation, or wrestle with a Saturday crossword, you’re making a deposit — not in dollars, but in cognitive reserve .   Cognitive reserve is the brain’s ability to improvise, adapt, and find alternate routes when age or illness (like Alzheimer’s or stroke) tries to block the way. The more “mental deposits” you’ve made over a lifetime—through education, social engagement, and challenging

My presentation on behalf of the constituency of older persons is, at its heart, an invitation . We all know that progress for humanity...