My name is Joan B. Noble, and I am 85 years old. I was born and have lived in Lynn my entire life. At the age of 6, I was stricken with Infantile Paralysis, also known as Poliomyelitis (Polio), leaving me totally paralyzed. I share this information with you in order to give you some insight into the many, many battles I have fought over the last 79 years.
Sharon Keyes has recently joined the Boston chapter of the Mass Senior Action Council, but her journey as an active volunteer in her community is far from new.
Growing up in a church environment, Sharon’s parents demonstrated that attending services or meetings was just the beginning of community involvement. They actively served the church, engaged in various community projects, and often hosted fellow church families for meals and gatherings.
Gwen Mitchell and Adonica Chaplain joined the Mass Senior Action Council as a formidable “fighting duo.” Marrying brothers and becoming sister-in-laws, they raised their children together during the Boston Busing crisis.
They were dedicated to ensuring their children received a quality and equitable education, and their relentless efforts paid off, with all of their children graduating from college.
Mattie Valerie was invited to join Mass Senior Action Council by her North Shore Chapter Membership Coordinator, Mary Thompson.
Right after joining, Mattie became active, attending the membership meetings and organizing people to attend public meetings at city hall.
Chapter Board members noticed Mattie’s desire for social justice and asked her to serve on the Board. Right away, Mattie started recruiting others to join the chapter and become advocates.
Debra was introduced by a chapter leader to MSAC when she attended an exercise class at her local senior center in Malden. The member asked if she could give Debra information about MSAC and invited her to the local chapter meeting. Debra explained, “I had time before my class was to start, so my interest in MSAC was peaked. I went to my first meeting that afternoon and later paid my membership.”
Raised in Cuba, Ruth was used to being active and using her voice. Her daughter worried her voice would get her in trouble or possibly jail so moved Ruth from her home country to Canada as a Cuban refugee to be with her daughter and stay out of the way of those who wanted her to keep quiet.
In 2021, Ruth and her family moved to Lynn from Canada. Her daughter works 2 jobs and is very busy.
Bernice Ezell along with her husband Bobby are lifetime members of Mass Senior Action Council. Bernice serves on the board of the Greater Springfield Chapter as the board secretary.
Her work as an Adult Nurse Practitioner in Brightwood Health Center has been instrumental in the chapter efforts to better understand some of the impacts of disparities in our healthcare system. As we know, the first step to taking action on a cause is becoming informed.
Paulette is a woman that hears an issue, and is already ready to sign up for a solution. Her journey started with the Boston chapter of MSAC 6 years ago through chatting with another member about what things are available to do after retirement. She gravitated towards MSAC because she quickly found out that MSAC does not take it, but they take charge!
