The Delany Sisters

Paper Summary:

This paper explores the example of New York state's Delany sisters who died in the late 1990s, well over 100 years old and how their lives promised their remarkable longevity. The paper explains that they valued their background, they had the stimulation of succeeding as African-American professional women against the odds and had a spirit of philanthropy with which they were raised. The paper shows how they did not just have interests or jobs; they lived their lives, and were each others' best friends through each chapter. The paper offers notes on spirituality and values as sources of mental stability and inspiration, social relationships, family and having pride in one's accomplishments.

From the Paper:

"This paper discusses the late Delany Sisters, as they have become something of an American institution, in the light of recent models of lifespan development. These models ask us to examine aspects of development and periods of adulthood in stages of young, middle and late, as opposed to earlier models that recognized the shift to adulthood rather than a continuum. (Papalia et al: 2000:6f) One sees in the example of the Delany Sisters that different meanings were attached to different stages of their lives; factors that pertained to their gender, to their African-American background, education, health, their family of origin and a philosophical approach to the world."

More papers on The Delany Sisters:

• Book Review # 10787 : "Having our Say: The Delany Sisters' First 100 Years by Sarah & Elizabeth Delany & Amy Hill Hearth"
• Persuasive Essay # 141588 : "Successful Aging"
• Book Review # 56413 : "Having Our Say"

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