"When Lani Ritter Hall's beloved husband of more than 40 years, Gus, died in 2022, she felt a bit unmoored. Taking care of him had been the thing that got her out of bed in the morning, and with him gone, the 76-year-old felt she'd lost her purpose. That is, until she found organizing. Shortly after Gus's death, she came across an op-ed about a new group called Third Act, focused on mobilizing older adults to protect democracy and confront the climate crisis,"
"Though the former public school educator had never been involved in any political organizing or activism before, she soon found herself serving as a volunteer coordinator at Third Act, setting up more than 120 Zoom calls over the course of 10 months to welcome people who were new to the organization and help them figure out how to plug in."
Lani Ritter Hall lost her husband of more than 40 years in 2022 and felt unmoored until she discovered organizing. She joined Third Act, a group mobilizing older adults to protect democracy and confront the climate crisis. She transitioned from no prior political activism to serving as a volunteer coordinator, setting up over 120 Zoom calls in 10 months to welcome newcomers and help them plug in. The organizing provided renewed purpose, social connection, and joy. People across age groups, from twentysomethings to elders, report forming lasting friendships and community ties through canvassing, clinic volunteering, and mutual aid. Civic engagement offsets loneliness and strengthens personal well-being.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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