Wise Elders Take Action on the Street Corner

At age 73, Martha St. John considers herself well into the senior category, but now she finds that life is mirroring her teenage years. 

Back then it was all about protesting the Vietnam War. Now, she finds herself leading a grass roots group of senior citizens, Wise Elders Take Action. The recently formed group has organized a weekly demonstration open to all ages. Every Friday from 3 to 4pm at Northgate Way and 5th Avenue NE in Seattle, there are signs and bull horns and American flags in support of the programs of Medicare, Medicaid and HUD, along with keeping Social Security from privatization. 

"We are a nonpartisan, inclusive group," says Martha. Indeed, whatever one’s politics, the institutions Wise Elders are fighting for are critical lifelines to many seniors and other vulnerable populations in America. The closing of the Seattle HUD office and the fears generated from cuts to programs and grants that keep seniors housed and healthy was the impetus for elders to go back to the street each week to fight for these critical benefits. 

People have been feeling helpless, feeling that their voices aren’t being heard. One protester, Patricia T., said, “I worked hard my whole life and now I’m crying because I could end up with absolutely nothing.”

When Martha first heard about the changes to government programs that help support vulnerable seniors, she wanted to join protests. "But we couldn't find out about them until they were over!" Instead, she rallied with her friends, Donna Mell and Marie Wisniewski, and said, "'Let's just do something ourselves.' We live in senior housing, and we started by posting signs at the community." 

Martha had noticed that some people were so scared and upset that they weren't coming out of their apartments. But now that the group has organized gatherings to make signs, write postcards, encouraging others to contact their representatives, writing to the White House AND especially standing together on the street corner... "When they got involved, the atmosphere improved," says Martha. 

Getting out there and taking concrete action has the seniors feeling empowered.

They got the idea of protesting on the street corner through the group's cofounder, Donna. She had the example of her late husband, who had wanted to make a statement about something important to him. He simply started standing on a street corner once a week, "And it worked!" exclaimed Martha. "Other people joined him, and his actions turned into a good result!" 

Martha hears some people saying that the group is just wasting their time, that their efforts won't accomplish anything. "But I remember hearing those same words about our war protests back in the late 60s and early 70s. We did make a difference in the long run."And now, those who care about slashes to programs that are underway want to do something in the face of the threats. The number of those out there with signs is growing weekly, greeted by a chorus of honking horns. Voices are being heard.

A gift of being an American has been that we are able to hold whatever belief we may have. That is worth respecting and preserving. In this time of fast moving, tumultuous changes, those holding signs weekly near Northgate are finding their power, feeling less helpless, and making a difference in what they care about.

One way to have your voice heard would be to join those out there on Fridays at Northgate Way and 5th Avenue NE from 3 to 4pm. 

Or start your own group! "Wise Elders Take Action" has inspired the seniors living at Aljoya Thornton Place Senior Housing to hold their own weekly demonstrations. Perhaps more senior activists will join the cause. 

Wise Elders Take Action can be contacted through Martha St. John: marthastj@hotmail.com and through the group's Facebook page, Wise Elders Take Action.