5. Worksheet - What is OWN?

The Older Women's Network (OWN) is an organisation that makes links between older women. The older woman can be either individuals or can belong to groups. The aim of OWN is to be a voice for older women on issues that affect them. OWN aims to identify things that are of interest to most older women. In addition, OWN brings women together to campaign and work together for change.

Most of all, OWN is about women getting together to talk and share ideas and interests. For example, OWN campaigns on issues such as health, housing and transport. OWN is still in its early stages, but is growing in strength. Age and Opportunity has been helping OWN to develop since it started. Age and Opportunity is a national agency that works to challenge negative attitudes towards ageing and older people, and to promote opportunities for older people to participate in society.

Questions

Answer these questions, using a word processor or in your copy.

1. What do the letters OWN stand for?
2. What are the aims of OWN?
3. Explain what the following phrases mean in this description of OWN: a voice for older women; campaign; participate in society.
4. Do you think that there is a need for an organisation like OWN in Ireland?
5. What is Age and Opportunity?
6. Do you think there is a need for an organisation like Age and Opportunity in Ireland? Why?
7. Women who are older now in Ireland were young adults in the 1940s and the 1950s. Describe what you know about their lives then - their clothes, their work, marriage, contact with their family, contribution to the community, hobbies and interests etc. Think about what was good and bad in their lifestyle to prepare them for older age. Look at Activity 1 in Things to do if you need some help.