Aging Women of Color: Engagement and Place

Conceptions of positive aging include the importance of continued involvement in relationships, optimal mental and physical functioning, and active participation in meaningful activities. This article explores scholarship on social, productive, and contemplative engagement in aging women of color in various places in communities. Five groups of women of color are considered: (1) African American, (2) American Indian/Alaska Native, (3) Asian American, (4) Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and (5) Hispanic or Latino. Diversity exists within these five groups; it is impossible to specify personal representations that characterize women within each broad social location. However, general patterns can be identified. Old women of color are actively engaged in home life as caretakers and as keepers of family history. These women maintain positive outlooks through participation in spiritual activities, community involvement, and memories of place and experience. Considering together the roles of engagement and place is one step toward a more complete understanding of positive aging among women of color.