by Nancy Amos

I’d love to tell you about my friend Betty Rowland and what I have learned from her.

Betty is a longtime member of Women’s Policy Forum. At 95 and a half years of age, she might just be the oldest member of our organization. She was already a member when I joined in 2000 or so, but I was busy working and didn’t really get to know her until many years later. She and Sandy Kautz became my very good friends over the years. They were both so very smart and had so much life wisdom—I loved when they shared insights with me. They both loved the outdoors and the Girl Scouts and supporting other women and giving to worthy causes and volunteering their time.

They almost always sat together at WPF meetings and symposiums, and they frequently saved me a place at their table. When I made my first trip to NYC 16 years ago, Sandy gave me a list of “must see” places that she had experienced when she went as a part of her work with Girl Scouts. Susan Fine introduced us all to Chadra Mezza, and one of my favorite memories was when Betty ordered a flight of homemade ice creams for dessert.

When Sandy couldn’t drive anymore, Betty became an expert at Uber. Remember that. Key to her independence. I have a photo of Betty and Sandy at Colonial Country Club giving Joan Kline a tutorial on summoning an Uber.

When Sandy died three years ago, I learned that Betty and Sandy had made a lot of plans. They decided that whoever died first, the other would continue to live in their beloved home independently as long as possible. Despite recommendations lovingly made for a retirement home, Betty has made a sweet life for herself in her home. She has some medical conditions that preclude her coming to our meetings, but she studies our newsletter to learn about new members who are carrying on the rich traditions begun so many years ago by Peg Knapp and Karen Perkins. And when I take your photos, please know it is so she can stay connected with friends.

Betty has taught me some lessons about how to stay independent and happy into my 90s. She has a beautiful routine for each day. Get up at the same time. Put on sturdy shoes so she won’t slip or fall. Cook breakfast. Take medicines. Use her walker for steadiness and balance. Stay in touch with friends via Facebook, phone calls, texts. Take care of her health. Get her hair done EVERY week. Use her reliable Uber driver to maintain independence. Count on daily delivery of Meals on Wheels. “It may not be what I would have chosen, but it is fresh good food and enables me to add things to go with the basics.” Rely on a friend who does a Braum’s run for her.

And so on. She doesn’t gripe about what she can’t do. She just inspires me. And she is the reason I am renewing my membership in WPF for another year. I hope some of you will start to follow her on FB and thank her for what she has meant to our organization even before you were a member.