September 2025

Some Things You Might Like to Know

October 9 is Ageism Awareness Day!

It’s time to tell a new story about aging! Following are some facts about ageism that you may not know:

Ageism harms our financial well-being. Older workers face longer periods of unemployment, discrimination during the hiring process, and fewer professional development opportunities.
Ageism harms our economy: AARP estimated $850 billion in lost gains to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a result of involuntary retirement, underemployment, and unemployment among older workers.

Find many more facts, including resources about what you can do to tackle ageism, at the link below.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Join Us for a Talk About Age Diversity & Tackling Ageism

The Gray Panthers NYC's next webinar, on Sept. 30 at 2 pm ET, will feature an age-diverse panel of individuals for a discussion that encompasses a new concept from Ashton Applewhite, called "YODA -- Youngers + Olders Dismantling Ageism.”

In addition to introducing the YODA concept, which will include an examination of the power dynamics that might occur in our work to tackle ageism, the panel will discuss how organizations like GPNYC can better work together in age-integrated teams to dismantle ageism.

An esteemed panel of olders and youngers will be led by our Co-Founder, Meg LaPorte.

More details and registration HERE.

Join Us in Maryland for an Ageism Awareness Day Workshop

Our Co-Founders, Jordan Evans and Meg LaPorte, will join other Maryland community leaders on Oct. 9 for a workshop aimed at reducing age-related bias in Maryland.

Participants will learn about the state's Longevity-Ready Maryland initiative, as well as practical resources and best practices in reframing aging.

Click HERE to register.

New Documentary Offers Excellent Example of Art That Tackles Ageism

Described as a "a cautionary tale exposing decades of lethal neglect in nursing facilities," the film illustrates how ageism and ableism are at the root of a broken and arcane long-term care system.

Now available on Amazon Prime, this three-part documentary is narrated by Susie Singer Carter, a filmmaker whose mother traversed through a horrific odyssey of nursing homes and hospice services to expose the cracks and fissures in America's nursing home industry.

Through heart-wrenching detail, compelling interviews, and poignant calls to action, Singer Carter's film is clearly a labor of love and a call to action that true nursing home reform is long overdue.

The Significance of Doors in Dementia Care

The recent AgingIN conference was the setting for a moving example of artistic activism that tackles ageism and ableism. Jennifer Carson, PhD, director of the Dementia Engagement, Education, and Research (DEER) Program at Univ. of Nevada, Reno, utilized the imagery and symbolism of doors to convey an important message about dementia care in our country.

Through masterful storytelling, including video testimonials, Dr. Carson presented an eloquent argument for creating “dementia-inclusive” communities.

Seated on stage next to a door festooned with messages about dementia inclusion, Dr. Carson reflected on the negative impact that segregated memory care has on individuals. She also spoke of the positive effects of "unlocking" the doors to create inclusive environments.

Learn more about her dementia inclusion initiative HERE.

The Newsletter the Beauty Industry Fears

Jessica DeFino, an award-winning beauty reporter and critic -- and author of the Guardian’s beauty advice column, "Ask Ugly," also publishes a smart and acerbic "weekly-ish" Substack newsletter she calls FLESH WORLD.

Proud of the fact that HuffPo describes the newsletter as “basically gives the middle finger to the entire beauty industry,” DeFino declares that "after years in the belly of the beauty industry beast, I realized: There is no beauty here."

What we love about FLESH WORLD is that it tackles the intersection of ageism and ableism inside the multi-billion dollar beauty industry.

Find FLESH WORLD HERE.

Gray Panthers NYC Recognizes Early-Career Advocates

Twelve individuals were recognized last month by Gray Panthers NYC for their early-career work in tackling ageism and ableism.

Four of the awardees were recognized as "2025 Gerson Award for Rising Leaders."

In addition, six honorable mentions were noted, and two former interns were given "Above and Beyond" awards.

To view a recording of this inspiring event, click on the video to watch the program.

Eldercare Org Rebrands, Recognizing Impact of Ageism & Ableism

The Center for Innovation, known for cultural transformation in eldercare, announced last month its rebrand to AgingIN.

Described as "a bold new identity that captures its mission to be the catalyst for person-directed living in the community of one's choice," AgingIN's explainer video (right/below) acknowledges the impact that ageism and ableism has had in perpetuating institutionalism in long-term care.

Explore their new identity here: www.aginginnovation.org.

What We've Been Up To

We are grateful to continue to spread the word of "owning your age" through appearances at conferences and other similar events.

Last month, we set up our interactive art installation/photo booth at the following conferneces: AgingIN (formerly Center for Innovation) and the Society of Certified Senior Advisors.

On Oct. 1, we will celebrate the opening of PACE of West Baltimore with an installation of the booth at its ribbon cutting and tour event.

As you plan your events for next year, please keep us in mind

as a vibrant, engaging, and socially conscious activity for

your organizations.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK THE PHOTO BOOTH

Kendal Corp Addresses Ageism & Ableism in Senior

Living Marketing

Art Against Ageism Co-Founder Meg LaPorte traveled to Oberlin, Ohio, last July to talk to the Kendal Corp. marketing and communications teams about ageism and ableism in senior living marketing.

Her presentation examined how senior living entities unwittingly advance the othering of older adults by using unrealistic photos and content on their websites and in other marketing efforts.

In addition to offering ideas around how to combat this practice, LaPorte asked attendees to consider utilizing their own creative minds to dismantle stereotypes and reframe marketing strategies.

Art Against Ageism staff and board members are available to present at your company gathering on similar topics. Please reach out to LaPorte HERE for more information.

MAKE AN IMPACT IN YOUR COMMUNITY: Work with Us to Develop Impactful and Creative Campaigns

If you happen to be looking for bold, innovative, and disruptive ways to increase the visibility of your amazing residents and teams, consider partnering with us to make it happen through public art.

One of our primary goals is to create impactful art installations that do the following:

Advance correct and positive age beliefs;
Shed light on the individuals who work and live in aging services settings (such as nursing homes, assisted living, and senior centers); and
Draw attention to, and tackles, ageism and ableism.

Our grant writing, marketing, and communications expertise can help you find funding and make it a reality.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

Donate to Art Against Ageism

Support our movement to tackle ageism creatively with an individual or corporate donation. We are a 501(c)(3) organization, which makes your donation tax deductible. Interested in a sponsorship or partnership? Reach Meg LaPorte HERE.

Art Against Ageism and GreySource Partner

for Impact

Our partnership with GreySource began almost two years ago as an alliance founded in advocacy and creativity to dismantle age bias.

GreySource is an age-inclusive recruiting team that believes the future of our workforce requires recruiting experts who recognize both the value of professionals of all ages and the power of multi-generational teams.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE