(shared with permission)
Dear Brandy,
Congratulations on your recent appointment to the position of Executive Director of the Oregon LGBTQ+ Aging Coalition, as well as your feature on OPB’s Think Out Loud program and your forthcoming presentation for the Oregon Gerontological Association.
I’ve long been an advocate for the rights and inclusivity of LGBTQIA2S+ older adults in Oregon and beyond. In fact, more than a decade ago, one of my former Marylhurst University gerontology graduate students founded the older adult program at the Portland Q-Center. I’ve also foregrounded the experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ older adults in the text I co-author, Aging: Concepts & Controversies, soon to be in its 11th edition.
As the current faculty department chair of the soon-to-be “retired” Portland Community College Gerontology Program, I’m disappointed that I’ve never once heard from you in your capacity as a PCC Board member. Aside from one comment during the Board retreat in which you acknowledged your incredulity about the decision to cut the Gerontology Program, I haven’t seen any evidence that you are interested in or understand the importance of our award-winning, innovative, and much needed program.
More personally, as an Educational Gerontologist who has been working for the past 30 years in the field of aging, in aging advocacy, and as a leader in the Oregon Gerontological Association, I would have appreciated – even expected – that you would reach out to me as you find your way and ascend in Oregon’s aging network. Perhaps I’m unaware of this fact from your bio, but do you have any training in aging issues, in gerontology?
Let me put it plainly: I take offense personally and professionally by the fact that the PCC administrative leadership and Board have determined that the Gerontology Program isn’t worth keeping, supporting, and developing to meet the needs of our aging society. And, given that I am a seasoned Educational Gerontologist working at PCC, I take offense personally and professionally that you’ve never thought to reach out to me as you launch your new professional chapter as an aging advocate.
I’d be more than happy to have a conversation with you, should you wish to respond to me.
Best wishes,
Jennifer (Jenny) Sasser, PhD, FAGHE
(she/they) What is this?
Gerontology Program
Department Chair & FacultyPortland Community College
“If the structure does not permit dialogue the structure must be changed” ― Paulo Freire