In 2001, Kathleen (Keen) Harrison, PhD, took a leave from her university faculty position in medical genetics to travel with the Semester at Sea program. A visit to Kenya’s first orphanage for HIV-positive children changed the course of her life. She returned home feeling, “I just can’t walk away from this.” She didn’t.

In 2005, Keen founded Project Harambee, a volunteer-run nonprofit supporting community-led initiatives across three pillars: health care, economic opportunity, and education. Its programs are both practical and powerful: Plant a Seed–Grow a Doc helps students from high schools in under-resourced communities to attend medical school and return to serve rural communities. Livestock donations—dairy goats, chickens, and pigs—help families reduce hunger and generate income.

Women’s cooperatives create crafts sold in the United States, building sustainable livelihoods.

Today, Keen remains deeply committed while gradually transitioning leadership to nonprofit partners in Kenya and dedicated U.S. volunteers. Sustained by a wide circle of generosity, Project Harambee continues to grow—transforming lives across communities and generations.

"I left a profession in medical genetics and found a vocation supporting women and families in Kenya." - Kathleen Harrison

Connect with Keen:

Email: keen.harrison.mcnulty@gmail.com

Website: www.projectharambee.org

Facebook: harambee.nfp

Africa photo book

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

OUR SPONSOR

AARP Illinois is dedicated to empowering adults 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. AARP-Illinois advocates for the health, financial security, and overall well-being of Illinois residents through community programs, expert resources, and member benefits and is here to help its members thrive.

https:www.aarp.org/state/Illinois [activate link]

aarpil@aarp.org

AGE-WISE COLLECTIVE

Women Over 70-Aging Reimagined connects with other women podcasters to shine the light on remarkable women in mid-life and beyond.

We are pleased to recognize Jane Leder, host of Older Women and Friends: Stories of Aging Well, whose guests take a deep dive into the joys and challenges of being an older woman. Older women know a thing or two about living with a keen sense of wonder and an abiding appreciation for the gift of longevity. So, it’s time to change the perception that the gig is just about up when, in truth, the second wave of the journey has just begun.

https://janeleder.net

https://www.youtube.com/@olderwomenandfriends

https://www.instagram.com/older_women_and_friends_/

At 84, Phyllis Mitzen is still reshaping how communities care for older adults — with curiosity, courage and a fierce commitment to action.

Phyllis spent 24 years at CJE Senior Life (formerly Council on Jewish Elderly) and went on to consult with Health & Medicine Policy Research Group. She was proud to be awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from both Illinois and the National Association of Social Work.

Phyllis serves on state and city Advisory Committees, and is currently active in the new Multi-Sector Plan on Aging, recognizing that without implementation its benefits will not be felt in Illinois. She reminds us that, equally important, the IL Dept on Aging, with 13 area agencies, depends on funding from the Older Americans Act. While it is reauthorized every 3 years, its funding is currently stalled with funding remaining at levels inadequate to meet growing needs.

Phyllis’ contribution to the Villages movement, specifically Skyline Village, has led to a consortium of 8 Villages in the Chicago Metro area. Many of these non-profit organizations have received Dementia Friendly designations, and are moving Chicago towards designation as a Dementia-Friendly city. These Dementia Friendly communities support, include, and empower people living with dementia, ensuring they can participate fully in social, cultural, and civic life.

Why listen: Whether you work in aging services, advocate for policy change, or care for an aging loved one, Phyllis’s practical wisdom, grassroots solutions, and insistence on turning plans into practice offer both inspiration and concrete next steps.

“It’s not the creation of the plan - it’s the implementation that brings it alive.” - Phyllis Mitzen

CONNECT WITH PHYLLIS:

Email: phyllis.mitzen@gmail.com

And thank you to our sponsor, Women’s Connection, a nonprofit women’s group with chapters around the country. Members are vibrant, accomplished women, age 50 and forward, who connect around common interests, empower each other to thrive, and stick together as they travel through the stuff of life, no matter what comes their way.

Women Over 70 is proud to be part of the Age-Wise Collective, a group of women podcasters championing pro-aging voices. This week we shine the light on award-winning author, Jane Leder. Jane and guest dive into the joy and challenges of being an older woman. Her podcast is Older Women & Friends: Stories of Aging Well.

Mariann Aalda—actor, hypnotherapist, and joyful “pro-aging evangelist”—invites us to rethink what it means to grow older. She interrogates ageism, asking“ Why should youth get all the good press?” And declares, “My vibrancy and vitality are due to my being Age-full, not Youth-full!” Drawing on a 30-year television career and her work in hypnotherapy and neurolinguistic programming (NLP), Mariann explores how language shapes our inner lives—“the words we use become internalized and we behave accordingly.” Today, through stand-up and solo performance, she shares her authentic self with candor and humor, encouraging women to pursue their dreams and “use our time wisely with curiosity, creativity, and joy.”

“I’m not an older version of myself—I’m the Newest Model.” - Mariann Aalda

Connect with Mariann

Email: mariannaalda@aol.com

Aging Shamelessly https://www.mariannaaldainherprime.com

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Our Sponsor: Plymouth Place in LaGrange Park, IL. has redefined senior living with options and opportunities to fit individual needs and preferences. From well-designed residences to fitness and wellness classes to social gatherings, arts experiences and care services – this is a place to thrive. As an entrance-fee based Life Plan community, Plymouth Place offers a full continuum of care including residential living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and rehab – all conveniently on one campus. www.Plymouthplace.org

Age-Wise Collective: Women Over 70-Aging Reimagined connects with other women podcasters to shine the light on remarkable women in mid-life and beyond.

We recognize Jane Leder, host of Older Women and Friends: Stories of Aging Well, whose guests take a deep dive into the joys and challenges of being an older woman. Older women know a thing or two about living with a keen sense of wonder and an abiding appreciation for the gift of longevity. The second wave of the journey has just begun. https://janeleder.net

https://www.youtube.com/@olderwomenandfriends

https://www.instagram.com/older_women_and_friends_/