Full Throttle

Passions Fuel Activism in Retirement

By Sue Cullen

The United States has witnessed the power that can be unleashed when people’s passions are ignited. We have seen millions of Americans flooding streets nationwide protesting the tragic death of George Floyd and others. Additional issues from women’s and LGBTQ rights to healthcare and climate change also have driven activism for many local residents. These four women, all residents of Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay, a not-for-profit Life Plan Community, are demonstrating that retirement life doesn’t mean retiring from life.

For Norma Schatz, actively following her passions has been an integral part of her long life. While living in Connecticut, Schatz served on her local school board, ran for the state legislature, was active in children’s issues and served on the Planned Parenthood board. Since coming to Plymouth Harbor 13 years ago, she has continued to pursue her passions although she did give up kayaking on Sarasota Bay two years ago—when she was 95.

Schatz has continued her involvement in politics. She volunteers at the Sarasota County Democratic Party headquarters, participated in Sarasota’s Women’s March, and produces a monthly newsletter for Democrats at Plymouth Harbor whose circulation continues to grow. “That has gotten bigger than I expected as word about it spreads. I think you have to stay engaged as long as you’re alive and able to,” Schatz says. “We are privileged to be able to do that here. We have time, our lives are comfortable, and if we’re aware of what goes on in the rest of the world, we have to take responsibility for doing something.”

One of the youngest persons at Plymouth Harbor, Barbara Kerr has pursued interests in aiding animal welfare efforts, signing for the deaf, and becoming more politically active since she moved in five years ago at age 62. “Activism does not end when you enter a retirement community. I was in a very conservative job as a financial advisor in a small community, and I decided not to ruffle feathers by talking politics,” Kerr says. “It was not until I came to Plymouth Harbor that I attended my first march, the Women’s March. It doesn’t matter your age or walk of life, when you come here and have really interesting conversations with people that pique your curiosity, you want to learn more.”

Kerr’s interest also was sparked by a Plymouth Harbor lecture and tour of Save Our Seabirds on City Island. She now volunteers there, helping out in the baby bird room, providing enrichment for the parrots, and transporting and rescuing birds. “I’m an active volunteer and have become a climate advocate because that clearly is affecting birds,” Kerr says. “I’m informing myself and thinking about how we can bring that to the attention of people who can make a difference.”

Joyce Fitzpatrick discovered her propensity for activism after her husband retired following 30 years in the U.S. Foreign Service. “It is in my blood, and I never knew that before,” Fitzpatrick says. “When I was overseas, I lived a charmed life as a diplomat’s wife, but I wanted to get involved when we retired.” When they returned to the U.S., she was a hospice volunteer, became a certified mediator for conflict resolution, and worked for the Obama campaign on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. “I didn’t think of myself as an activist up until that point,” she says.

At Plymouth Harbor, where she has lived for four years, Fitzpatrick is involved in helping residents and those in surrounding communities with voter registration. She also is an avid biker who raised funds for the Legacy Trail extension and now is involved with Ready for 100, Sarasota’s effort to transition the city to 100 percent renewable energy. Fitzpatrick also is committed to Black Lives Matter. She is looking for like-minded people to help her establish a community care organization similar to one she organized in Maryland, which helps donors aid struggling individuals and families with specific needs. Fitzpatrick also has established a Meetup group for mediators interested in donating their skills to help others.

Although being an educator wasn’t what Dr. Sarah Pappas set out to do in life, she built a very successful academic career. People here are familiar with her community involvement while serving an 11-year tenure as President of Manatee Community College, now State College of Florida, and for nine years as President of the Selby Foundation. She has shaped an equally involved retirement life. “I don’t go out and protest with 200 people very often, although I have,” she says. “I love the word, engaged, and being a person who is engaged with her passions.”

One of Pappas’ passions is The Ringling where she serves on the board. She’s particularly enthusiastic about its diversity initiatives, which include increasing diversity on the board and in exhibits, outreach to diverse populations, and support for efforts to build a black history museum in Newtown. Pappas also serves on the Tiger Bay Club board, as a hospital volunteer, and in a variety of roles at Plymouth Harbor including Chair of the Civic Affairs Committee and with the Residents Association. Another important cause for Pappas is the Innocence Project of Florida, which helps free innocent prisoners. “Retiring here is so far from an old age home,” she says. “It gives you the freedom to do the things you want to do.”

For more information on Plymouth Harbor, call 941.365.2600 or visit plymouthharbor.org.