The Making of a 91-yr-old Activist

Maxine Keier, Photo by Diana Woodall

“I’m 91 years old and these are the scariest times of my life.” This statement made by Maxene Kleier of Bridgewater piqued my curiosity, so recently I arranged to interview her at her home. Why do some of us identify as activists, or progressives, and some don’t?

DW: You say you’ve been an activist since you were born?

MK: My parents both believed we all have an obligation to other people. My mother volunteered until she was in her late 70′s–for Meals on Wheels, for example. I was raised in that tradition. I think some of the problems of today are related to the fact that real caring for one another is not exactly held as a desirable value, as it could be. I’ve never seen such disregard for ethics as I see now.

We are living in a secular system, and any attempt to change it into a theocracy is very scary, and we do have that going on now.

I’ve been a volunteer lobbyist since 1977. I email someone across the country everyday, practically, on some issue that I care about. That includes care of the homeless, the mentally ill, prejudice against minorities. I chaired the Human Rights Advocacy Commission in the state of Florida [where she still resides part of the year.]

People don’t necessarily mean to be bad people, but they are simply uninformed, and don’t understand what’s going on around them. Basic to it all is poor education. Until young adults understand how government works, how it is supposed to work, we’re in trouble. And we’re in trouble now.

DW: So you were a teacher?

MK: I’ve taught in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Florida. I’ve also been in sales, in real estate, and I’ve had a restaurant, I’ve had race horses, so I’ve been exposed to a lot of different people.  When I retired from teaching in 1974, I was getting students who could not put two facts together and draw a logical conclusion. You have to learn ways to think, and that’s not being taught now. You have to learn study skills.

I’m involved with the League of Women Voters, and with Emily’s List. I just think people have an obligation to be informed and to pay attention to their government. People say there is too much government, but they are the government.

Right now the most frightening thing I have read is in the current issue of the New Yorker, about the Koch brothers. Everyone should read that article before they vote.

I’ve been away from the Valley for a long time, for 65 years. I moved back here in 2004 when my husband was dying. I wanted to be in a safe place for any eventuality.  I’ve had the best and the worst in life, it seems. I think sometimes you have to know the worst to know the best. You make a choice, people make choices.

DW: That’s a key concept—you’ve had tragedy in your life and yet there are others who–

MK: But you make a choice. What is this? I don’t think you have a right to make other people sad. If you can’t make someone feel better, leave them alone! You make choices and set goals for yourself. I mean, why not?

DW: I lot of people don’t. They say life is unfair.

MK: What is unfair? Who said life would ever be fair? There’s something unfair in everyone’s life, probably. What is this fair business?  People are missing a lot if they don’t know how good it can be to do something to help someone else. I think we all have a responsibility to contribute whatever we can. We can plant the seeds and hope they will grow.

Diane Woodall interviewed Maxene Kleier in 2010.

This post was submitted by Diana Woodall.

Related posts:

1. Greenhouse is Built for New Community Project On a warm Sunday afternoon, October 10, members and friends of New Community Project in Harrisonburg met at 715 N. Main St and contructed an inexpensive greenhouse. The project was...
2. Free Yoga in Hillendale Park Friday! (May 7, 5:30-6:15pm) End your week/begin your weekend with a simple but effective yoga routine in the park! We will meet at Hillendale park near shelter #12. No mats required, all ages and...