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Portland Press Herald/Special Section Thursday, June 6, 2013

AARP connectswith Mainersacross the state

By JANE MARGESSONAARPMaine Communications Director

AARP consistently strives tobe there for its members just aswe have since our inception morethan 50 years ago.

What you may not know isthat AARP was founded by aretired school teacher, Dr. EthelPercy Andrus. In addition to be-ing a school teacher, Andrus wasthe first female high school prin-cipal in the state of California.She saw firsthand the economicplight of retired educators in thepost-Depression era.

Since Medicare did not be-come available until 1965, andpensions were meager, manyretired teachersat the time foundthemselves living in poverty dur-

ing their so-called "golden years."Upon discoveringthat on eof her retired colleagues was sopoor she was actually living in achicken coop, Andrus took ac-tion. Armed with the belief thateveryone has the right to agewithdignity, she began a campaign toprovide affordable medical insur-ance for retired educators.

Several years later, the first-ever group health insurancecoverage wasoffered to retiredteachers nationwide. Finally,in1958, at the age of 73,Andrusfounded AARP.

Andrus sawAARP as muchmore than a gateway to healthinsurance fo r older Americans.She believedthat people's olderyears should be an opportunityfor new growth and participationin society.

She referred to AARP as "anarmy of useful citizens" who hadthe ability, th e experience and thedesire to promote an d enhance

th e public good.She gave us the motto that stillguides us today: "T o serve,not tobe served."

Here in Maine,AARP has anoffice in Portland, but our workspans th e entire state. Ou r teamconsists of five AARP staff, sixAARP chapters, and 230,000members, many of whom serve involunteer an d leadership rolesinth e organization.

During each state legislativesession, ou r staff an d volunteersare at the state house in Augustaalmost every day. We meet w ithlegislators, attend hearings, an d

deliver testimony, fighting onissues that matter to Mainers an dtheir families.

These issues include accessto home an d community-basedservices,affordable prescriptiondrug costs, lower energy costs,the protection of vital services forlow-income older and disabledresidents, financial protection an dconsumer frau d to name a few.

We collaborate with manystate and local community leadersand organizations on issues ofconcern to older Mainers such astransportation an d housing. Ou rcommunity service and ou treachinitiatives, pioneeredand man-aged by volunteers, have touchedmany older Mainers in significantways.

On the national front,AARP

is committed to protecting SocialSecurity and Medicare. We consis-tently reach out to and work withpolicymakers on both sides ofthe political aisleto find answersthat make sense. If you wouldlike to follow or get involved inour work on federal issues, go towww.aarp.org.

AARP also has several pro-grams availablein the state thatare open to members an d non-members alike.One of the mostpopular programs, theAARPdriver safety course, is offeredthrough AARP Foundation.

Available in person statewideas well as online, theAARP driversafety course reviews basic skillsand rules that can keep even themost experienced driverssafe onthe road. For more information,go to www.aarp.org/driversafetyor call 1-888-227-7669.

AARP was founded by onewoman who was determined tomake a difference in the lives of

others. As Andrus w rote in oneof AARP's earliest publications,"Our comm unity is the placewhere we as older individuals canbe the most effective."

This is part of Andrus 'extraordinary legacy, and todayAARP continues to championthat philosophy, empoweringou rmembers to pursue their goalsand dreams.

For more information aboutAARP Maine, call 1-866-554-5380,go to www.aarp.org/me or sendus an e-mail at aarpme@aarp.org.We look forward to hearing fromyou!

Over 50 years ago, Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus founded AARP because

she was inspired to help others. AARP ha s continued he r work toempower Americans to pursue their goals an d dreams. AARP is

making a difference in Maine for families where it is needed most-

right here at home.

Learn more about AARP in Maine at

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