“font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;”>With apologies to Whoopi Goldberg, you could call this organization “Sister Second Act.”
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“It’s women helping women,” founder Lois E. Laster said of the organization Our Second Act, Inc., which will be distributing scholarship awards of $300 – not to college students working to start a career – but to retired women who might want to start a second one.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“We want women to pursue their life dream, to go to school or take up a new trade – anything that will enhance the second part of their lives,” Laster said.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The purpose of Our Second Act, Inc. (a Missouri non-profit corporation) is to provide wholesome activities to improve the lives of women over the age of 55 who are in the second phase of their lives.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The organization’s purpose is to raise awareness about the many opportunities that women over the age of 55 have to fully participate in business, philanthropic and community activities, as well as to educate the public about the vast talents, resources and skills of women over 55 and in the second phase of their lives.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Society doesn’t recognize the true value of this age group,” Laster said.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Although the organization’s target audience is women over 55, it does not discriminate on the basis of age or gender.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Laster wants to focus on the women the group will be assisting, not herself, but her personal story is of interest.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The idea for the organization began to germinate five years ago, when her husband, Lawrence Laster, passed.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Part of the motivation was I found myself alone,” she said. “My life situation catapulted me into moving ahead.”
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>She reflected on her family. Her mother, Doveane Duke, had relied on the help of a dear friend, Ethel Thomas, to raise Laster and her sister.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“I learned the value of sisterhood,” Laster said. “The love these two women had helped raise us children, and our children, and our children’s children.”
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Our Second Act began when Laster reached out to six friends with the concept. After her friends provided names of other women who might be interested, a group of 37 met at Laster’s house to plan a fundraising effort, which spurred new interest.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“From my six friends, we have grown into a group of 65,” she said. With apologies to the various “40 Under 40” groups that get routinely announced, you could call them 65 Over 55. And Laster is sure there are many more women out there whom Our Second Act can benefit.
“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“When I was left alone, I didn’t know how to cope,” Laster said. “I am sure there are a lot of other women out there who face the same issue.”
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“font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>For more information, call 314-875-9932 or email oursecondactinc@yahoo.com.
