Thelma is a retired professor of English and Education with a lifelong interest in language. She organized the World Symposium on Family Literacy in Paris at UNESCO, created the advisory council for Hooked on Phonics, and served as spokesperson in the 1990’s. Thelma was Director of the Philadelphia Mayor’s Commission on Literacy and was a frequent media presenter. She was instrumental with Philadelphia Young Playwrights and chaired the Board of Children’s Literacy Initiative. Thelma Co-authored three books on healthy aging and founded the popular blog. Elderchicks, exploring reinvention in later life. Recently, Thelma launched Seriously Senior on Substack. Now a nonagenarian, Thelma is a mother, grandmother, and resides in Philadelphia with her husband, Harvey, an artist and author. She is engaged in several organizations and lends legitimacy to issues being discussed. When Thelma speaks, those gathered listen.
- Whatever project is undertaken, make sure it has academic foundation, credibility, and visibility.
- Find and develop your voice to promote what matters to you; media presence is an imperative.
- Literacy education is fundamental and must be recognized and supported.
- Engage youth in creative writing/literacy through playwriting; the skills will be used for life.
- If a cause is important and matters to a specific population, stand up and speak out!