Black seniors live, learn on annual 'Day Out'

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"Today, more than seven of every 10 people over 65 living in poverty are women -- 26 percent are African-American, 24 percent are Hispanic and 10 percent are white," Marie F. Smith, president of AARP, told about 100 senior citizens attending a lively Saturday "Day Out" sponsored by theCapital City Chapter of the Links.

"Sadly, most of these women were not poor prior to the death of their husbands. But it is divorced African-American women who have the highest poverty rate of all older Americans by far -- nearly 50 percent," continued Mrs. Smith, the keynote speaker at the annual event, held this year at Shiloh Baptist Church in Northwest.

As Mrs. Smith, speaking from a 10-page prepared text, rattled off statistics and the effects of Social Security changes, Iris Royster, 85, of Silver Spring listened intently because "she told us things that affect us."

"We're concerned about security, rent and food, and she pointed out that many seniors depend on Social Security for their livelihood, and it's very important for all of us to have, including me," Mrs. Royster said.

She looks forward to the event, saying the men and women are "tickled" to be treated to gifts, cash, "a health-conscious" lunch of baked chicken, entertainers, clowns, health seminars and the famous free shopping boutique.

However, this year, Mrs. Royster's favorite part was the AARP speaker, who is also a black woman.

"It was inspirational," Mrs. Royster said yesterday as she related the day of camaraderie and activities.

The spry Mrs. Royster, who earned a bachelor's degree in organizational management from Columbia Union College in 2001, invited nine of her neighbors from Hampshire Village and Leisure World in Silver Spring. She drove one car of the two-car caravan. The other driver was Iris Ellis, who Mrs. Royster said, is "much younger, about 68 or 69, and just retired."

The seniors are so excited about the event that, Mrs. Royster said, "We dressed up like we were going to church."

Stephanie Myers, a co-chairwoman of the event inching toward AARP membership herself, called Mrs. Smith's comments "very sobering."