Sponsored by the American Society on Aging, Ageism Awareness Day is October 7th. It’s a day to celebrate our successes in changing the narrative on age and assessing progress and challenges in building a more inclusive, productive, and engaged society. At The Village Chicago, we focus on people’s strengths and unique talents rather than their numerical age.

Read below to find out more about age bias against younger and older adults and what we can do together to ensure that we recognize and rely on the creativity and intellectual strengths that everyone has to offer.

Ageism is the stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age. By now most people know what it is - and that is genuine progress.

And yet, ageism is so deeply embedded in our culture that we don't always recognize it when we see it or experience it. This is especially true of the ageism directed at younger adults, and internalized ageism that older people direct at themselves.

When we think of people who were forced to retire, or who are unemployed or are underemployed because of their age, we think of older adults. In reality, ageism impacts people of all ages - especially in the workplace.

False assumptions about younger workers are more likely to be based on cohort stereotypes rather than age alone. (Millennials are "narcissistic," Gen X are "disengaged.") This can have a negative impact on the economic stability of younger adults who are historically more susceptible to economic downturns. In 2022, the unemployment rate for 16-24 year olds was 9.4%; for those 45+ it was 2.6%. In addition to ageism, the more diverse younger population is more likely to have cumulative disadvantages due to race, ethnicity, and gender identity.

As younger adults age, they can still be subject to discrimination. Studies done in the UK tech sector show that workers start experiencing ageism at 29 and anyone over 35 is considered "old."

It must be remembered too that age bias amplifies the impact of prejudice based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and ability. A recent study published in the Harvard Business Review found that workplace prejudice for women occurs at all ages. There is no "right age" for professional women. And older women of color carry three stereotype burdens.

Even Millennials, who were so recently viewed as the young disruptors of the workplace are feeling the first inklings of ageism as Gen Z workers move up the hierarchy.

People of all ages have a stake in dismantling ageism. Some believe that intergenerational misunderstanding is rooted in competition. ("Old people use more than their fair share of resources.") Others believe that it is more the result of miscommunication and misunderstanding. And the pandemic played into ageist stereotypes.

No matter what its source, research and experience show that the most effective intervention to curb ageism lies in intergenerational contact - especially when combined with education. Luke Tanen, President and CEO of Chicago Innovation, says, “We have learned that teamwork is everything. Having better and more diverse teams creates better solutions.”

Under the leadership of Kathie Kolodgy, former Village Chicago Board Chair, we have taken a proactive stand on this issue. Kathie believes that “Bringing people of all ages together is vital to thriving, energetic communities and workplaces.” Along with community partners, we have originated a series of programs to encourage and support intergenerational relationships - both social and professional.

Launched in 2019 in partnership with Chicago Innovation, Ageless Innovators is a thriving intergenerational co-mentoring program - now with over 400 alumni. Older and younger individuals are paired up to share insights, experience, and ideas in one-on-one meetings, networking and professional development events, and more. In addition to those who are working, many older adults participate in the program, making an important contribution to demonstrating the energy and creativity unleashed by age inclusive work teams.

Tom Kuczmarski, co-founder of Chicago Innovation, says: “Our Ageless Innovators programs tackle ageism at its core – by enabling two different generations to gain understanding, insights, and empathy –by co-mentoring each other.”

Applications for the next cohort of Ageless Innovators are now open - apply here by October 17th.

This Village group is comprised of young adults who want to be part of age inclusive communities and workplaces. They create opportunities for people of all ages to mingle at book and short story discussion groups; intergenerational dinners; community volunteering; and trivia and game nights.

If you would like to join, please send a note to Callie Alton at callie@thevillagechicago.org.

In 2022, in partnership with Chicago Innovation, we launched Turn the Page on Age, a city-wide campaign to increase awareness of age bias in the workplace, in healthcare, and in the community.

This exciting venture kicked off with a citywide print, radio and digital campaign. Momentum continued to build with thought leader events, intergenerational social and educational events, Op Eds syndicated nationally through the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ, and national exposure through presentations to the National Center to Reframe Aging and the Village to Village Network. Village Chicago CEO Darcy Evon observed, “People are talking about age inclusion in an entirely new way. We have a lot more work to do, but we are thrilled with the progress.”

This year's activities will culminate in December when the second annual Turn the Page on Age awards will be presented at a special event, "Uniting Generations." Nominations are now open for the awards - click here to nominate by October 6th.

This is a large and committed group, many of whom are young adults who volunteer individually and collaboratively, providing social connection, tech help, transportation, and more to Village members. For more information about joining our volunteer ranks, contact info@thevillagechicago.org.

Results from these programs demonstrate that innovation, creativity, teamwork, and volunteerism within an intergenerational framework improves the quality of life for all engaged participants and make huge inroads in dismantling bias. People begin to look at others differently, realizing that everyone has something to teach and something to learn.

Where does ageism come from? This "shame-inducing, anxiety-producing, guilt-mongering force in our culture that is both everywhere and all but invisible.” These are the words of 2023 Village Trailblazer author Tracey Gendron, Ph.D. As she and others have shown, it comes from everywhere and it is deeply rooted in enduring stereotypes.

Research done at the University of Oklahoma shows that 93.4% of people aged 50-80 experience ageism in their everyday lives - for example, hearing, seeing, or reading that older adults are unattractive and undesirable. Everyday ageism may be benevolent as when people insist on helping with things you can do on your own. It may even be disguised as a compliment. ("You haven't aged a bit!")

Researcher Dr. Becca Levy has demonstrated that negative age stereotypes begin in early childhood and "increase in power as they become more self-relevant." (If you misplace your car keys at 25, you don't think anything of it, but at 75....) Dr. Levy has also demonstrated that age stereotypes operate unconsciously and "can affect everything from handwriting to how quickly we walk."

The most serious implication of these internalized age beliefs is their impact on health and wellbeing. Health problems such as memory loss, hearing loss, and cardiovascular events are heavily influenced by negative age beliefs.

And the saddest result of negative age beliefs among older adults is that they can lead to devaluing or marginalizing same-age peers - just when we need each other most.

Disturbing as it may be, the central message of this exploration of ageism is in fact one of optimism. Because these damaging ideas about age have been learned, they can be challenged. They are malleable and can change. The first step is to acknowledge that they are there.

Author Tracey Gendron says that our society focuses on the single story of aging as physical decline. "What we lack is a story that captures the rich nuanced complexities of the aging process taken as a whole." While there is no societal model for rich nuanced long lives, the Village community is filled with them. To find positive narratives about long life, we need only look around us.

On September 18, nearly 300 people gathered at the Chicago History Museum for a great evening of conviviality and entertainment - and to honor this year’s Trailblazer Award recipients. The guests saw a short video about the Village, and were entertained with a lively performance of classic jazz tunes by the wonderful Porchlight Music Theatre. And best of all, the event raised $200,621 to support the important work of the Village!

Read more about the event in Classic Chicago Magazine's article "The Village: Jazzy and Jubilant" by member and journalist Judy Carmack Bross - and check out some great photos below!

Tracey Gendron, PhD Trailblazer award for an author: Ageism Unmasked

Porchlight Music Theatre performance

Do you have any photos from the benefit event? We'd love to see - and share! - them. Please email your snaps to info@thevillagchicago.org.

Learn more about the Village by calling us at 773.248.8700 or click here to download the membership application form.

David Baker, President 

Judith Gethner, Secretary

Dick Sullivan, Treasurer

Thomas C. Eley III, Vice President

Joan Goldstein,

Therese Meike,

Kathie Kolodgy, Member at Large

Karen Terry, Immediate Past President

Don Bell

Stefanie Clark

Charles G. Cooper

Carol Hitchie

Ira Kohlman

Angie Levenstein

Molly Matthias

Liz Metzger

Gail Moss

Carol Stein

Lois Stuckey

Vamse Kumar Subbiah

Jan Walters

Joyce Winnecke

Advisory Council

Neelum T. Aggarwal, MD

Robyn L. Golden, LCSW

Joanne G. Schwartzberg, MD

Mary Ann Smith

Darcy L. Evon

2502 North Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60614. 773.248.8700