AARP South Carolina

This Fourth of July, we salute those who protect our freedom.

Join AARP near you or online for a FREE event! Learn the danger signs of elder financial abuse and how to protect yourself or your loved ones from fraud and scams. Seminars will be held July 8-11. Our keynote speaker is Paul Greenwood, a retired assistant district attorney who spent 22 years investigating and prosecuting elder financial abuse cases in California. He'll be joined by local law enforcement. Get full details and register today http://spr.ly/6188gD0bK

Fraud Prevention Summer Series Don't fall victim to financial abuse. Learn to spot the red flags so you can keep yourself and your family safe.

On Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor the courageous individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their unwavering dedication and selflessness remind us of the profound debt we owe to those who have defended our freedoms throughout history.

Today, as we gather with loved ones and enjoy the freedoms they fought to preserve, let us also take a moment to express our gratitude and pay tribute to these extraordinary heroes. May their bravery and sacrifice never be forgotten.

Discrimination in housing is against the law. The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination (for both renters and buyers) on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, s*x, familial status and disability. Join AARP and the SC Human Affairs Commission Wednesday, May 15 to learn your rights and how to get help. Sign up today http://spr.ly/6180jl8bs

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What have we learned so far from 50+ voters in South Carolina? Find out In this latest blog with insights from AARP's EVP and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer, Nancy LeaMond and AARP SC State Director, Charmaine Fuller Cooper. http://spr.ly/6184X6bFn

Hurricane Idalia is expected to bring tropical storm conditions including heavy rain, winds and storm surge to parts of South Carolina. Visit the South Carolina Hurricane Guide http://spr.ly/6184PsmrO from SCEMD to stay in the know for weather alerts, evacuation routes, and more. Or download their SC Emergency Manager app. Start now. Get prepared and check on your loved ones.

Hip hip hooray! We're excited to welcome two new members to our team.

Sheila Lewis will lead our volunteer recruitment, training and recognition efforts as our new program specialist. She comes to us with a wealth of experience from leadership roles at the Alzheimer's Association and the SC Department on Aging.

Makayla Hill joins us as a graduate intern for campaign communications. She will support advocacy tactics as we continue our fight to protect Social Security.

Congratulations to them both!

Today Social Security turned 88 and AARP SC held a birthday party to celebrate. Now let's fight to keep it going for years to come! Social Security is money you earned. It's money that makes retirement possible for millions. Click to send a message to congress today. Tell them to Protect Social Security NOW — and in the future! http://spr.ly/6188PiqgE

The Department of Veterans Affairs has extended the deadline for veterans, their families and survivors to file claims for PACT Act Benefits through Monday, Aug. 14. Learn more. http://spr.ly/6184P9yNA

PACT Act Deadline Extended to Submit Claims for Retroactive Pay Veterans who were exposed to burn pits now have until Aug. 14 to file

🎗️ Today, we pay tribute to the brave individuals who have been wounded or paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Your resilience and sacrifice do not go unnoticed. On this Purple Heart Day, let's come together to honor these heroes and express our gratitude. 💜🇺🇸 🎗️

Who says healthy eating has to be boring?! Join AARP SC and Chef Veera Gaul on July 17 as she walks us through preparing an exciting Mediterranean meal. Click to register http://spr.ly/6182OIqIC

Join me for this event! Check out the event details here.

Looking to boost your retirement dollars? Don’t miss a free webinar for tips and strategies.
Register today: http://spr.ly/6180OIZf0

No matter your age, take steps to support your ! This : Set a goal. Find something fun. Re-purpose some of your free time. Involve friends or family. Let the 6 Pillars guide you! Learn more: http://spr.ly/61863NZgs

As we wrap up , our final salute goes to Emma McGraw Myers of Columbia. Born in Hartsville and raised in Columbia, Emma is a seasoned entrepreneur and respected community leader. She’s been fighting for older adults, training young professionals, and helping local organizations thrive for more than 40 years.

Her professional career began in 1975 with United Way of America. Emma worked nearly 20 years for both the national and local United Ways in various capacities. She was the first African American appointed as President and Chief Professional Officer (CPO) of the United Way of Richland County (Mansfield, OH) and first African American CPO of the United Way of Aiken County (SC)—earning her the reputation of “trailblazer”.

Emma serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Advanced Care Management, LLC (ACM) which provides care coordination to older adults and people with disabilities on Medicaid. She is also President & CEO of EM Consultants—a Midlands-based small business specializing in fundraising, training, and planning for corporate, faith-based and nonprofit groups.

Emma is a Golden (50-year), Life and Legacy Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Life Member of the NAACP and a 28-year member of First Nazareth Baptist Church. She holds leadership positions on several local, state, and national civic and community boards.

We are honored to have Emma as AARP SC’s State Volunteer President, providing strategic council to the state director, and leading our volunteer corps across the state. Thank you, Emma—you’re a true local hero!

AARP wants to work with you in your community. Learn more at http://spr.ly/61853vt0f.

Today’s honoree is Janet James of Florence. A native of Richmond, VA, Janet devoted much of her life to investing in young people. She taught children with special needs for 33 years and was also a track coach. Janet retired to South Carolina in 2006 with her late husband, Coach Ronald James, who shared her love for youth and sports. They moved to be close to his parents.

Upon retirement, Janet shifted her focus to caring for older adults, but her passion for service and sports is still apparent. She volunteers every morning packaging food for Meals on Wheels and teaches an exercise class @ the local senior citizens center. Janet has also remained committed to caring for her in-laws, whom she lovingly refers to as “mom and dad,” now in their 90s.

Today, Janet is a valued AARP volunteer. She has served as president of her local AARP Chapter for seven years and is also an AARP Tax Aide Volunteer. Janet is a true local hero!

AARP wants to work with you in your community. Learn more at http://spr.ly/61813Q4vf.

Local heroes walk among us! Today, we honor Ruth Rambo of Charleston as we continue our celebration of . A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Ruth has dedicated her life to service and advocacy. A graduate of Fisk University, she participated in the sit-ins during the 60s, that helped pave the way for integration.

She went on to earn a master’s degree at LSU, enrolling the first year that a federal court order allowed Black students to attend. She was one of only three African American students who attended that year. Despite constant abuse, she persevered, earning an M.Ed. with a specialty in guidance counselling. She soon took a job with the Urban League in Newark, NJ becoming one of the first female directors. And in the early 70’s she won a fellowship to MIT where she studied urban planning. Ruth spent over 40 years as an advocate, trainer and community organizer—developing programs and leading change across the country. She retired to Charleston from the national office of AARP, where she was first a volunteer and later on staff.

Her deep passion for the arts has placed her on stages with Al Green and Patti Austin and led to her joining the Charleston Symphony Orchestra Spiritual Ensemble, the Poetry Society of SC, Phillis Wheatley Literary and Social Club and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. She also serves as a tour guide for Historic Charleston Foundation and is on the advisory board for The Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art. Ruth volunteers with AARP SC as a legislative advocate, fighting for issues important to the 50-plus. Here’s to Ruth and local heroes like her!
AARP wants to work with you in your community. Learn more at http://spr.ly/61833sNhB.

Today, for , we honor local hero Hazel Wright of Florence. Hazel grew up in the 50’s and 60s in New York, with family roots in South Carolina. Her history of activism and service began early in life. At the age of 20, she began canvassing neighborhoods to register others to vote. As soon as she turned 21, she registered herself. Hazel would go on to challenge the status quo during her career as part of the first wave of women and African Americans to work in the IT field. She worked her way through the ranks, serving as a computer operator, programmer and Sr. Analyst.

In the 1990’s, Hazel lived in North Carolina while taking a break from her career to raise her children. Her volunteerism intensified, and she began serving in local schools and the Wake Forest hospital system. She would eventually rejoin the workforce, retiring for good in 2014 and coming to South Carolina where she volunteers with her church to serve seniors, assists with programs to help connect people with housing, serves as an officer in the local AARP Chapter, and volunteers with AARP's Tax Aide program. Hazel is a true local hero!

AARP wants to work with you in your community. Learn more at http://spr.ly/61873Sdsz.

Today, for ,we honor local hero Frances Ashe-Goins of Columbia. She is a respected and accomplished public health professional, health administrator, policy analyst, and registered nurse. Frances earned her Master of Public Health in Health Education from the University of South Carolina in 1980. She went on to serve in a variety of roles in federal and state government, including a stint as Deputy Director and Acting Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) where she oversaw the Office on Women’s Health (OWH). Her work resulted in the development and ex*****on of groundbreaking initiatives with lasting impact on women’s health issues like lupus, HIV/AIDS, violence against women, diabetes, organ/tissue donation, and kidney disease.

Frances’ vast knowledge and experience also resulted in work as a strategic planning consultant for state health departments in both South Carolina and Florida. She’s appeared on many radio and television programs, presented at numerous national conferences/workshops, and received awards and commendations for her community service. Today, Frances serves on more than a dozen boards and commissions focused on public health and community empowerment, including AARP South Carolina’s health disparities advisory committee. Here’s to Frances Ashe-Goins, a true local hero.
AARP wants to work with you in your community. Learn more at http://spr.ly/61873UV83.

Today, for we honor Charleston native, Elizabeth Addison. Elizabeth was born and raised in Charleston’s Union Heights area--one of the earliest established African American communities from the slavery era, that still exists today. For over 50 years, she’s worked to preserve the culture and history of Union Heights, while fighting to ensure residents have access to opportunity. Her early work included leading partnerships and programs for the Recreation Department. She went on to serve her community by volunteering with a number of organizations including her church, Military Magnet Academy, and the Union Heights Community Council. One of her proudest accomplishments is supporting the establishment of the Roscoe Mitchell Enterprise Health Center, an organization designed to improve access to healthcare for local residents. Elizabeth’s work was often done alongside her late husband of 54 years, Dr. Oliver W. Addison. Today, Elizabeth volunteers with AARP as local chapter president and as a legislative advocate.

AARP wants to work with you in your community. Learn more at http://spr.ly/61803maMg.