From the Age of Aquarius to the Coming of Age: an Intimate Look At
We Women: From the Age of Aquarius to the Coming of Age An Intimate Look at the Challenges of Aging in America through the Eyes of Pinellas County Women by Christine S. Melecci A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Liberal Arts College of Arts and Sciences University of South Florida St. Petersburg Major Professor: Thomas Hallock, Ph.D. Jay Sokolovsky, Ph.D. James Schnur, M.A. Date of Approval: March 25, 2014 Keywords: aging, ageism, senior citizens, baby boomers, 1960’s counter-culture, retirement, feminist movements, civil rights movements Copyright © 2014, Christine S. Melecci Dedication I dedicate this thesis to two indomitable women: my mother, Phyllis Annette Schmidt, and my mother-in-law, the late Grace Hamel Bray. Acknowledgments I give never-ending thanks to all the patient enlightened folks in the Florida Studies program at USFSP. I could not have completed this master’s thesis without the support of the faculty, the staff, and my peers. Thanks to Drs. Ray Arsenault and Gary Mormino for developing the program and helping me understand that in Florida, “One must go north to go south.” Special thanks to my incredible graduate advisor, Dr. Thomas Hallock, and archivist, Jim Schnur, who always made time for impromptu guidance and discussion during my research visits. I am especially grateful to Dr. Jay Sokolovsky for insights into the current state of aging that helped me frame this work. I am indebted to Diane Craig for her extensive personal support of this project. I am also indebted to core interviewees, Rebecca (Becky) Day Wilson and Gwendolyn (Gwen) Reese, as well as the many Pinellas County women, and men, who shared their thoughts, hopes, and concerns with me over the past two years.
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