Say it loud!
That’s all she wants …
PHOTOS: CHAE KIHN
Shatzi’s Gloriousness pierced my consciousness when I read how she celebrated her 90th birthday — demonstrating for Black Lives Matter — in the middle of COVID-19 and — get this — using a wheely. Turns out this Broad is all over the internet. Says Shatzi, “I don’t care about celebrity: I care about the message getting out.”
And she has — as a "Dyke Opposed to Nuclear Technology," supporting justice for Palestinians, abolishing police and prisons, fighting discrimination, and caregiving for AIDS patients in the '80s. Her latest passion? The ultimate taboo — educating folks about end of life options in Art of Dying Workshops.
But it's not all causes and demonstrations — this Glorious Broad also loves her nightly toke and is (very) interested in finding a kissing buddy. No protesting that!
GLORIOUS PROFESSION: Registered Nurse for 47 years, Inveterate Activist
GLORIOUS PERSONA: Rabble Rouser, True Believer, an Activist's Activist
GLORIOUS QUALITIES: Firebrand Dynamo, Lifelong Learner, Breaking Curfew with Her Walker
GLORIOUS PHILOSOPHY:
“I definitely support the anti-ageism movement — but I’m not organizing around it. I’m living it.”
WELL, NOW YOU’RE KNOWN AS THE 90-YEAR-OLD ACTIVIST WHO BROKE THE “ELDERLY” RULES — OF COVID — AND CURFEWS — TO SUPPORT BLACK LIVES MATTER …
True. Trying to protect my own health when police were killing and getting away with it — I had to take the health risk. I affixed my Black Lives Matter sign to my walker, put on my PPE, and wheeled out into the streets.
TELL US: WHAT WERE YOU LIKE AS A KID?
Even as a teenager, I felt I couldn't just be concerned about injustice — I had to do something about it. So I became an activist very early in life.
WHERE DID THIS DRIVE COME FROM?
My great grandfather was Samuel Gompers, founder of the American Federation of Labor. It's in my blood.
SO YOUR CORE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SAME?
Well, I’ve changed in some ways. And not in others. I started out as a Zionist. I wanted to go live in Israel. On a kibbutz.
Now I am anti-Zionist.
It breaks my heart that Jews of the past were often in the forefront of civil rights. And now — the Zionist Jews are the oppressors.
That was a MAJOR change.
YES.
And I read The Feminine Mystique — that changed my life.
TELL…
Before, I was a typical American wife. When my husband's company considered transferring him — as much as I hated the thought of going to Delaware, I thought — well, I have to go. And then, I read The Feminine Mystique…
AND EVERYTHING SHIFTED …
It did.
Life #1: Shatzi at 21 in nurse’s uniform
Life #2: Shatzi, right, with pals at a Pride Parade in the 70s
WHAT DID YOUR LIFE LOOK LIKE PRE-AWAKENING?
I followed the script: Moved to the suburbs, bought a house. And decided that was not the life for me. I just wish it hadn't taken so long to come to that realization. But that's the way it was.
WELL, HOW LONG?
I was married for 18 years. Loooong time.
WOW, SO BALLSY OF YOU TO JUST SAY NO.
WAS YOUR HUSBAND SURPRISED?
I think he was relieved.
SO DID YOU COME OUT AROUND THAT TIME?
No. Much later.
I didn’t leave my marriage because I realized I was a lesbian.
I left my marriage because I wasn’t happy with my life.
SO, YOUR MOTHER WAS A LESBIAN LIVING WITH HER PARTNER WHEN YOU WERE A KID … WERE YOU AWARE OF THE RELATIONSHIP?
No. I sometimes thought about it. I often looked for a sign — a look — a touch. I never saw anything. That’s how closeted they were.
SAD.
It was against the law actually. And still is in some places, as you know.
DID YOU HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR MOM?
Unfortunately, no.
HOW ABOUT YOU AND YOUR DAD?
It was kind of empty — wasn't anything there.
SO YOU WERE SELF-DEFINED IN A WAY.
Yes I was.
DID YOU WORK WHEN YOU WERE MARRIED?
When I went to graduate school in nursing, it came with a stipend so I was able to hire a nanny. When I graduated, I worked. I was never a stay at home mother.
OH. YOU HAD CHILDREN …
Yes, I did.
THIS TRULY IS ANOTHER WHOLE LIFE YOU EMBRACED …
It was. It is.
WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU HAD TO LEARN THE HARD WAY?
Being a lesbian.
WAS THERE SHAME ATTACHED TO YOUR MOTHER? OR WAS IT A BIG LEAP EMOTIONALLY?
I sometimes try to get clear about it. I knew that I liked hanging out with lesbians. They’re just brighter and more involved. But being a lesbian …
WHEN I GO TO LA I HAVE BIG GROUP OF LESBIANS I HANG OUT WITH. I GET MY GAY ON. DID YOU HAVE A LONG RELATIONSHIP WITH ANOTHER WOMAN OR …
No, never. My mom was with her partner for 47 years. I haven't even been with one woman for 47 months.
BUT YOU'RE CLEAR — YOU LOVE LIVING ALONE. AND THEN YOU'RE OUT THERE.
I would adore it if I met somebody. I would love to have a kissing buddy. (We laugh)
IT'S A DIFFICULT TIME TO KISS RIGHT NOW…
Well, it’s not likely I’ll meet somebody. But in case I do … I miss physical intimacy.
DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A FEMINIST?
Absolutely, I am a feminist. But I’m not part of the feminist movement.
WHY IS THAT?
Because it’s still predominantly white — and for women with education.
AND YOU FEEL THEY SHOULD REACH OUT TO OTHERS?
Not just reach out — but be part of. Reaching out presumes an authority.
WHAT ABOUT ANTI-AGEISM?
I definitely support it but I’m not organizing around it. I’m living it…
HOW WOULD YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF?
I’m a lesbian. I’m a non-observing Jew. I’m a progressive. But primarily — I’m an organizer.
WHY ORGANIZING?
I like Collective work.
But I love to live alone.
YEAH, ME TOO. I JUST RE-DISCOVERED THAT AFTER LIVING WITH MY NOW EX-PARTNER THROUGH QUARANTINE…
SO WHO DO YOU ORGANIZE WITH?
Mainly Jewish Voice for Peace. We struggle for justice for Palestinians and we also collaborate with Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ, environmental issues, etc. I found my people.
And you don’t have to be Jewish to join …
YOUR LIFE! JAM PACKED. AND, AS A NURSE, YOU DEMONSTRATED WITH AIDS ACTIVISTS?
Yeah, I was a part of ACT-UP.
For a number of years. I did home care, taking care of people with AIDS.
YOU ARE JUST HEART-BREAKINGLY GLORIOUS …
“I would adore it if I met somebody. I would love to have a kissing buddy.”
ANY DESIRE TO BE YOUNG AGAIN?
No. My body is deteriorating and that’s hard. But basically, I feel grateful that I’m 90 and can still walk, can still see, can still hear. And I feel very fortunate that I'm as well as I am.
WHAT WAS THE BEST TIME OF YOUR LIFE?
There have been segments. In my 40s, I was living with my best friend. She was married. I had a boyfriend. She had 2 kids. I had 2 kids. It was a very supportive living situation.
NICE.
And then. I had a very brief relationship about four years ago that only lasted five weeks but it was … HOT! (Really laughs)
YUMMMM
WHAT’S YOUR BEST TIME NOW?
For fun? I sing with the Brooklyn women chorus — socially relevant songs. And I’ve just taken on this gardening project in Brooklyn. I design. They’ll do the labor.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TIME YOU HAVE LEFT ON THIS PLANET. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THERE BEING LESS OF IT?
I have opposing attitudes. For instance, we had this appointment today. It wouldn't have been unusual, whatsoever, if the thought had crossed my mind: Well, I wonder if I'll still be alive at 1:00 to meet with Maryjane.
I GET THAT …
And at the same time, how is it possible that I wouldn't be here? Ridiculous. I have to be. I have things to learn, things to teach. I hold both these attitudes.
WELL, THAT'S KIND OF ATTACHED TO YOUR WORK ABOUT DEATH AND DYING: TALKING ABOUT IT, EXPLORING IT, AND YET STILL WANTING TO BE HERE.
Exactly — I facilitate a monthly zoom Life and Death Discussion Group. I’ve just arranged for myself a green burial — so I share that with people. It's an important part of my life right now.
YES! WE DON'T NEED TO HARM THE PLANET AS OUR FINAL GOODBYE TO THIS MORTAL COIL!
WHAT'S YOUR SECRET TO LONGEVITY?
I have no proof but I suspect the many nutritional supplements I take.
I always have a project I am passionate about.
I don’t get stressed easily.
I drink lots of green tea.
And I smoke dope every night.
I’ve been a life-long insomniac. A nightly toke relaxes me — and off to sleep …
Looking for Shatzi? You can find her on twitter at @peoplesbubbie