Fighting 'age fright' the Betty Dopson way

Betty Dopson is at the gym three days a week, working out on treadmills, stationary bikes and with weights. "I bench press, thigh press, do a few sit-ups, push-ups and shoot a few hoops," Dopson says. "I finish off my regimen with 10 minutes in the sauna and five minutes in the steam room, and I walk out of there feeling like a 25-year-old superwoman."

At 78, Dopson, whose husband died in 2007, is several decades past 25, but the Elmont author defies aging. It should never be a consideration as one goes through life, she advises in her book that aims to help women overcome what she calls "age fright."

In "Shared Secrets of Elder Sisters Who Prove that Age is Just a Number," Dopson and six other "age busters" share their stories of personal achievement, overcoming challenges and the joy of being 70-plus-plus, while still feeling beautiful, productive and fulfilled.

The 227-page self-published paperback is filled with the personal philosophy of Dopson and the women she profiles. They give advice about prioritizing health and having a healthy mental state by conquering "the age fear that has you quaking in the corner of life .?.?. or that is sending you on a wild goose youth chase."

A former public relations practitioner at Harlem Hospital and retired director of the Southern Queens Park Association Beacon program in South Jamaica, Queens, Dopson dedicated the stories to women in the black community, but she says they should be of interest to all women who fear aging.

Willie Bearschild, a friend of the author, writes in the book's foreword, "Aging is not the dreaded advancement of facial wrinkles, graying hair and diminishing sex drive but should be seen and appreciated as Dopson views it: 'a time that God gives women to gain wisdom, understanding, skills and appreciation of their divinely assigned roles as mothers, teachers, nurturers, wives, companions, sisters, friends, liberators and leaders.' "

In the book, Dopson states, "Far too many, both young and old and in between, view aging as a dreadful disease that can be cured by starvation diets, plastic surgery and hair dye." She believes that beauty and value do not reside only in thin and youthful bodies: "Your personality, energy, compassion and kindness are all part of the compilation. Take control and rein in those habits, attitudes and thoughts preventing you from being fabulous at 50, sexy at 60, irresistible at 70, stylish at 80 and naughty at 90.' "

Photographs in the book taken two years ago show Dopson, a grandmother, doing a split; extending her legs over her torso in a yoga plow pose; and revealing her toned body in a one-piece swim suit. "I'm still doing them today at 78," she says of her exercises.

The book sells for $20 and can be ordered by emailing QIDIA@aol.com. So far, 2,600 copies have been sold. On the back cover, Dr. James McIntosh, a psychiatrist and co-founder with Dopson of CEMOTAP — the Committee to Eliminate Media Offensive to African People, states, "She looks no less than three decades younger than her chronological age." When she reveals her age at events, McIntosh says, "the audience audibly gasps. Sometimes people demand to see her driver's license."

Adelaide Sanford, 86, vice chancellor emerita of the state of New York Board of Regents, is one of Dopson's "Elder Sisters." Her philosophy is that, "When you use your days in anticipation of the abundant opportunities before you and use your energy to hone and perfect your gifts, you will not waste another second on useless and negative thoughts of aging."

A play based on "Shared Secrets of Elder Sisters" was staged at the Black Spectrum Theatre in Jamaica, last spring, and filled about 2,000 seats during its three-week run.

"It went over very well; we're all proud of it," says Carl Clay, the theater's founder and executive producer. He produced the play, he says, because, "It struck me this could be the 'Colored Girls' of a different generation." Clay was referring to poet Ntozake Shange's play: "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf," which deals with what it means to be an African American woman. "We're looking at the possibility of doing a couple of additional shows in the fall if we can raise $30,000," he says.

Bette Howard, director and artist-in-residence at the Black Spectrum Theatre, says the production "is the kind of play many people, especially seniors, don't get to see [because most plays are not about older generations]. A lot of people want it to be done again," she says.

"I found it inspiring," says Hazel Rankine, a retired teacher who saw the closing show. "If I was still in the classroom, I would bring my students to see it."