Gray Panthers of Southeastern Ohio Collection

The national organization of the Gray Panthers was formed in 1970 by Maggie Kuhn. She convened a group of five friends, all of whom were retiring from national religious and social work organizations. This first group gathered to look at the common problems faced by retirees - loss of income, loss of contact with associates and loss of one of our society's most distinguishable social roles, one's job. They also discovered a new kind of freedom in their retirement - the freedom to speak personally and passionately about what they believed in, such as their collective opposition to the Vietnam War. The group was given its name by the media.

The Gray Panthers of Southeastern Ohio was formed in 1983 as the first rural network in the nation. Its objectives were defined as follows: to present a positive and honest picture of aging as a natural growth process; to eliminate age discrimination; to increase opportunity for people to realize their full potential, regardless of age; to work toward a society which will put the needs of people ahead of profit. Pam Garretson and Melodee Hersey represented the organization as chairpersons. In November of 1987 the Athens "Messenger" published a letter in which it was announced that the Gray Panthers of Southeastern Ohio had chosen to disband.