Media
Embrace Age with a Longevity Mindset
In this video, Helen engages the audience in rethinking what it means to age in today's youth-centric world. She raises awareness about ageism and identifies the many benefits of growing older that are typically sidelined by age myths.
BMO -BOLD(H)ER, September 6, 2023Radio/Podcast
URL: https://bmoforwomen.libsyn.com/the-end-times-challenging-ageism
It can be subtle as a whispered comment or overt, such as hiring discrimination, but ageism is in our workplaces. It is one that will happen to all of us unless we start to understand the problem, challenges and opportunities. On Bold(h)er, Lisa Bragg finds out about age discrimination from ‘Age Provocateur’ Helen Hirsh Spence.
Ontario Centre for Workforce Innovation/ and Ryerson University, January 22, 2019Radio/Podcast
URL: https://ocwi-coie.ca/newspost/innovating-employment-episode-10/
Empowering older workers to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset.
Let's change the narrative
Ottawa Citizen, March 29, 2019Print
The article deals with the prevailing narrative about ageing and the need to change it.
The (Old) Elephant in the room: value of older workers ignored
Toronto Star, November 20, 2019Print
Diversity and Inclusion don't only reference gender, ethnicity, able-ism, etc., Interestingly, however, age is never included. It's time we all woke up to the reality of a shifting demographic and a necessary change in mindset in order to take advantage of the potential of older adults if we want Canada's economy to prosper.
Older adults could be our ticket to prosperity after the pandemic
Ottawa CitizenOnline
I continue to marvel at how very blind we, as a society, are to ageism. Doesn’t anyone else notice that when there’s a cry for help in a crisis, we turn to the older, often retired professionals to lend a helping hand?
Impact of the ReSet Program on Internalized Feelings of Ageism
by Helen Hirsh Spence, Debra Yearwood, Celine Delacroix, Anastasia Stasi
Published by Ontario Centre for Workforce Innovation and Ryerson University
September 28, 2018
Report:
Internalized ageism has been identified as a powerful determinant of well-being for older adults. This project was intended to better understand how internalized ageism impacts the entrepreneurial mindset of Canadians over 55. Canadians aged 55 and older account for a growing portion of the working age population, amounting to 36% in 2016 (Statistics Canada, 2017). By 2026, 4 in 10 working-age Canadians could be aged over 55 (Statistics Canada, 2017). The rate of participation of this population group in the labour market will
therefore gain an increasingly important role for our economy. However, it is well documented that
this group is confronted with a number of obstacles for its participation in the labour market.
Ageism is one of these
Biography
After 50+ years in schools, as both student and educational leader, Helen’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning has never waned. Using her leadership experience as a jumping off point, she became a newly minted social entrepreneur in her late sixties. She is an expert on longevity literacy.
Helen is a well-respected and sought-after thought leader who has appeared in several major national media outlets, on television, podcasts and radio. She advocates, writes and speaks about our new longer lives, age diversity in the workforce, intergenerational connection, and how to mitigate the damaging impacts of ageism on individuals, society and economies. Her mindset is longevity focused!
Watch Helen’s TEDxKanata talk: Embrace Age with a Longevity Mindset here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwhOQRduE7c
Recognition/Reconnaissance
CANIE Semi-finalist | Professional
These awards are given to entrepreneurs in a variety of categories. Top Sixty Over Sixty was a semi-finalist in the category of older entrepreneur.
Isis Officer Ethno-cultural Equity Award of Excellence | Professional
This inaugural award acknowledges the success of A.Y. Jackson Secondary's leadership in embracing a multi-cultural approach to education.
Engineers of Ontario Recognition | Professional
In recognition of being a pioneer in bringing the Engineer-in-Residence Program to both secondary and elementary schools across the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
Honorary Life Membership, Ontario Principals' Council | Professional
For outstanding contributions to the founding of and commitment to the Ontario Principals' Council as well as to public education in Ontario
Diversity 50 Winner | Professional
Selected by the Canadian Board Diversity Council as a diverse, qualified candidate for corporate board of director appointments
Additional Titles and Affiliations
Encore Network Leadership Council
The Encore Network is a coalition of leaders who champion the civic, social, and economic contributions of people 50-plus by creating community, stimulating learning, and inspiring action to transform the encore stage of life
Old School (Hub)
We provide resources, campaigns, information to promote an understanding of ageism--- its impacts and why we need to eradicate it given our ageing world in the 21st century,
Aging and Social Change Research Network
This is a forum for discussion of challenges and opportunities for a rapidly growing segment of the population
Informed Opinions
Promote the voice of women in the media.
WorkAlliance/ Old School
US activist, Ashton Applewhite's, Old School Clearinghouse dedicated to resources to advocate for work opportunites for older adults.
Pass It On
International Network to promote active and productive ageing
Encore
Network to advocate for older adults in US
Emergenetics International
Certified Associate in administering and analyzing psychometric profiles for organizations, companies and individuals.
Research Grants
Ontario Centre of Workforce Innovation and Ryerson University.
Organization: Ontario Ministry of Colleges and UniversitiesDate: August 31, 2018
Details:
Support for development of program (ReSet) to assess the extent to which internalized ageism impacts the entrepreneurial mindset of older adults.