|
|
| |
| Sat, Nov. 22, 2008 |  |
 |
|
||
| |
Winslow woman wins worker award Thursday, Sep 29, 2005 By Elizabeth Piet Stephens Washington Bureau WASHINGTON -- In her first visit to the nation's capital on Tuesday, Fleeta Clark of Winslow talked about what she knew best: chicken, dumplings and huckleberry pies. The 87-year-old grandmother said if a resident of Winslow is sick or a church is having a fund-raiser, she'll head to the kitchen to do what she can. "I do love to cook," Clark said. "The money I make is what I use to make chicken and dumplings and give them to other people." Clark was in Washington to collect an award as Arkansas' Outstanding Older Worker of 2005. The award recognizes an individual from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico who is older than 65 years, works more than 20 hours a week and contributes to the community. It is sponsored by Experience Works, a nonprofit group that helps train and place older workers into jobs. Clark has worked as a water billing clerk in the city of Winslow since 1989. But when the office began to rely increasingly on computers, Clark had to learn the technology or leave her post. So at age 81, Clark signed up for a computer class. "I knew nothing about computers, I was hand writing everything," Clark said. After the class, Clark said she was more efficient and said she'd suggest the extra education to other older workers. "Try your best, it's all you can do," she said. Clark entered Experience Works, then called Green Thumb, in 1987 to learn clerical skills. She had previously worked for 20 years at Baldwin Piano Company in Fayetteville and baked pies for Winslow's Burns Gable Restaurant. Clark said she has no plans of retiring any time soon from her current job. "Not until I have to," she said. "It keeps me going." Clark met Tuesday with Rep. John Boozman, R-Rogers. Boozman said as the baby boomer generation ages, it is more and more important for citizens to continue to contribute to society. "She's setting a tremendous example for the rest of us by staying so active," he said of Clark. Experience Works helps about 500 Arkansans per year by subsidizing schooling and helping them move into permanent jobs. Individuals must be 55 years old or older to qualify. "In every state in the United States, there are people who could, but should not be discriminated against because of their age," said JoLynn Dunavant, an Arkansas field operations coordinator for the organization. Clark's perseverance and kindness make her stand out, Dunavant said. Dunavant nominated Clark for the award and traveled with her and Clark's eldest daughter, Muriel Shipley, during the trip. The women toured the Capitol and met with Sens. Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln, both D-Ark., and Rep. Marion Berry, D-Gillett, in addition to Boozman. Clark will receive her award Thursday night at a banquet ceremony. "I was flabbergasted," said Shipley, 71. "We knew how good she is. Now everyone knows." -30- |
