Director
Author Events, Free Library of Philadelphia
“This 21st century project reaches an international audience through the ancient and communal act of story sharing but does so using the latest social media tools. I can tell you first hand of the intelligence and passion Benita brings to her work with seniors, how she inspires them to open up to their new-found peers as if their well-being depended on it. And thanks to Ms. Cooper, it does.”
Grace Rustia
Associate State Director
AARP Pennsylvania
“I was struck by how Benita had turned a simple concept -sharing stories around a table-into a revolutionary model for intergenerational engagement and programming. My colleagues at AARP PA immediately saw the value of endorsing Benita and her efforts to promote community wellness and mentorship.We believe strongly in the principles of collective purpose, collective voice, and collective purchasing power – Benita’s memoir and storytelling project are powerful vehicles for all of these principles. The beauty of Benita’s model lays in its mobility, magnetism and expandability. Through storytelling, digital networking, leadership by example, and mutual mentorship of seniors and teens, her vision will have unparalleled benefits in civic engagement and community health and wellness.”
Willo Carey
Executive Director
Wider Horizons, WHYY-TV
“You are tapping a wealth of wisdom and meaning, and creating an inspiring role for many people who think they have nothing to contribute-but they do. Thank you so much.”
Sean Duffy
Professor of Psychology
Rutgers University
I stumbled upon your project and found it to be extraordinary. The Best Day of My Life (So Far) is an amazing project providing a link between generations and a platform for community growth and development. The Best Day of My Life (so far) is the best grassroots organization I've encountered (so far). The group is filling an important need by helping seniors form a community, find their voice, and connect with young people. If their efforts could be expanded at the local and national level, the positive impact this could have on our culture is incalculable. The positive energy this group brings to its participants is infectious, and hopefully more people will be inspired to help in the effort.
Diane Menio
Executive Director
Ctr for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly
I have never seen Benita without a smile on her face; she is truly inspiring and is able to move people beyond their expectations. Since 2009, she has done this through facilitating sessions whereby seniors and teens share stories. What one hears most is that Ms. Cooper challenges them and helps to elicit participation that changes individuals’ lives. And, the changes are not only for participants but also for those family members, friends and others who get a look into the project and are enlightened through the posting of stories and photographs on the internet. In addition to the vision that Ms. Cooper provides for the project, she inspires an entire cadre of volunteers to assist in the project. She does this through a supportive mentoring process that results in a team effort that is, frankly, amazing. Ms. Cooper is truly a hero. My 16-year old daughter is interning with the project after attending some classes last summer; she has been skillfully mentored by Ms. Cooper and is growing more confident each day.
Allen Glicksman
Director of Research and Evaluation
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
Story telling, like other expressions of creativity, are a manner of artistic expression just as much as painting, sculpting, etc. But much of the time we don’t give enough attention to quality of life issues and we try too hard to “medicalize” everything. Being happy counts for a whole lot.
Meaghan Brown
Manager, Healthy Aging at the United Way of Southeastern PA
President, Creative Arts and Aging Network
“The Best Day project will continue to grow in local and worldwide influence. Benita Cooper gives the group exactly what it needs to survive: autonomy and ownership. She is the leader of a true creative revolution in the community for older adults; she is changing the landscape of the art of storytelling. Best Day has the capability to become exponential, while remaining life changing for those who are lucky enough to participate.”
“We are branching out. We started small and we are reaching out to everyone on the internet. My friends and family are very happy about this project. They say it is the best thing and has the right title.”
Beatrice Newkirk, Senior Member
“Wow, I'm so proud of you all. You all look so great. My Mom, Beatrice, looks so great. Every time you all post pictures of my mother it does my heart good because I get to see her. I miss her so.”
Renee Newkirk-Avery, Daughter
“Dad, loved both your new stories! I always love hearing about my "Grandpop" since he passed so long before I was born. You have brought him to life for me in your writing. What a gift!”
Kathleen, Daughter
“My father, Mo McCooper, has always been my greatest inspiration. To this day I have never met anyone as in love with life as my father. I am so happy that he is a part of your wonderful writer's group, I love sharing him! Thank you Benita for creating such a powerful forum for seniors to be heard.”
Colleen Marlo, Daughter
“I am homeless again, trying to get a new place to live.I have to wait for the shelter to find my new place. I have been in the shelter twice. Right now, I am in our writing class so I feel a lot better, with all the people here in writing class being so nice. I forget about all the other difficult things going on in my life when I am here.”
Loretta Gaither, Senior Member
“I love to come to these meetings, because I’ve met different peoples, different ages, and most of all, all different races. It’s wonderful, different colors, different cultures, different ages, that’s why I love to come to this meeting. That’s what it’s all about and I’m happy to write these stories. I’ve learned a lot in the meetings. All the people are nice and wonderful…I love them all.”
Robert Leung, Senior Member
"These are the best day of my life. Our lives."
Robert Mitchell, Senior Member
“In time I came to think of my work with Best Day as one of the most “natural” parts of my day, much like the class had become to its participants. It soon became difficult to believe that the phenomenon that is our storytelling “program” wasn’t in every school, senior center, and rec club across the country”.
Ashley Humienny, Volunteer
“I must say thank you to the
www, for being a way that I can
Use to heal myself, a way that I
Can meditate, a place I can turn to,
A way to be human.
Thank you www for access to
Information. Are you reading me?
Then blog me back. Now healing starts
Here.”
Henrietta Faust, Senior Member
“I went to the site for a minute and spent an hour. I love those stories. They make me feel connected to people I might never get to know otherwise. The human family is beautiful.”
Bobby F, Blog Reader
“Same here, Bobby. I could have stayed all day on the blog. It’s so good to hear that there are people out there who value stories told by those of us getting up in years. We all can learn from each other.”
Lois R, Blog Reader
“After writing all of this, I am reminded of the wonderful memories I have had with my grandparents. I am hoping that this project will help grandchildren, great grand children, and the many other generations to come hear about their grand parents’ memories, and make new memories while doing so!”
Madi Garvin, Volunteer/ Teen Intern
"Oh how I miss being in the presence of such wonderful people. Recently I have been going through a lot with my finances and my house. And because of that I wasn't able to continue coming. I realized I been missing out on the smiles, the laughs, the stories being told, the family feeling, the love that fill the air, the joy in the room and the caring that the seniors have. I realize that I've been missing out on a lot and I'm glad to be back. Thanks Benita for this wonderful opportunity."
Tyreek Malachi, Teen Member
“I'm new to the group but already feel welcomed. I feel as though everybody here has beautiful things to share and I'm more than happy to listen. I think I will learn a lot about people here and we all will enjoy ourselves. All of the people here have very good hearts and I am so happy to be here. Their spirits are high and they're all lovable people and I feel very at home. I hope to learn a lot about them and I hope they learn a lot about me for in my heart they are the WONDERFUL SENIORS of the world. I wish them all a very happy and blessed life and I will pray that they live forever in my heart. Even though I just met them I love them all and they are WONDERFUL PEOPLE.”
Khary Minor, Teen Member
“I have been in the business of serving the elderly for 29 years- your program is one of the very few who is able to think outside the box in serving the elderly. I hope your program will continue to expand to teach other senior center to do the same.”
Catherine W, Blog Reader
“Hi I’m Miyarrah (Miya). I am 11 years old. Your show was really inspiring. I loved it and I’m 11. One day I would love to volunteer, hope I can!”
Miyarrah D, Event Attendee, age 11
“I thank you for all of your hard work to bring diverse peoples (age, race, religion, socioeconomic status) together. That is the result when people seek to listen to others. To the handsome and beautiful Seniors – Thank you so much for talking to us today. You are all such an inspiration. I loved seeing the confidence, strength, and joy. You are a special group.”
Kaleigh E, Event Attendee, age 24
“Thank you so much for coming and sharing your life stories. I was so inspired! And also encouraged to get to know my family better. Do you have some suggestions for what questions I should start to ask them?”
Rebecca L, Event Attendee, age 26
“I was filling out an email form and it asked me for a security question, and one of the questions was 'Who was your favorite teacher?' and the first name that popped into my head was Ellis Zelmanoff. I did a google search and I found ‘The Best Day of My Life So Far' blog post he wrote, and I am happy to say that I was a student in Mr. Zelmanoff's first teaching job - 6th grade at Cramer Middle School in Camden in 1971 - 72. Small world!”
Wattson Budinger, Blog Reader
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From: Kathleen
Subject: Mo McCooper
Date: Saturday, March 27, 2010 10:29 PM
Dear Benita,
I am "Mo McCooper's" fourth daughter!
I can't tell you how delighted, surprised, amazed and proud I was when my sister Coleen logged us onto The Best Day of My Life So Far Blog. When I first saw my Dad in the picture, I almost couldn't believe it. My Dad, on the computer screen - something didn't make sense. And then, when she began to explain what it was all about, my jaw dropped. And then, when we started reading his stories, my eyes filled with tears. His childhood unfolding before me, bit by bit, word by word.
As you can imagine, growing up with a Dad with a spirit as lively and colorful as "Mo's" was quite an adventure. I love my Dad so much, and living so far away from him, I always feel an empty place in my heart, knowing that we miss so much of each other's lives. My boys adore him, but one or two visits a year isn't near enough time to be with your Grandpop or your Dad. When I read his stories, I feel closer to him. And when I read your "intros," I get to feel like a "fly on the wall" and hear what mischief "Mo" is up to that day!
I want to thank you from deep in my core, for making this happen for my Dad and all of the amazing writers in the group. What a gift you have given to them and to all of us.
I am now a "follower" or a "fan" or a "groupie" - whatever you want to call me. I will be checking in everyday to catch a glimpse into "Partytime."
All my best,
Kathleen
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From: Brenda Whiteman
Sent: Wed, December 8, 2010 10:30 AM
Subject: Thank You from Ernestyne Bush's cousin
Thanks, Benita, for writing about my dear, late cousin Ernestyne Whiteside Bush. I just read your beautiful blog. I googled Ernestyne Whiteside Bush and it popped up. What a blessing it was for me. My family and I attended her home going service yesterday at St. Matthews A.ME. Church. It was a wonderful service. There were so many warm, spiritually uplifting stories about the bubbly lady that I called my aunt. She and my mother were very close, just like sisters. Aunt Ernestyne was a native of Dothan, Alabama. As a child, she lived in Chattanooga. My mother lived for a while in Chattanooga, also. I am going to send this to my mother, Evelyn Durham, your blog. Your story blog about your relationship with your grandmother is so inspirational. I admire the fact that you are an architect and writer. Keep up the great work!!!
Brenda Whiteman
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From: Christine Ares
Sent: Fri, Nov 4, 2011, 10:26PM
Subject: Please Thank Isadora for Me
Hello dear Ms. Isadora,
I am deeply moved by your message of gratitude.
I loved what you wrote to your daughter. I even printed it and will show it to my mother
tomorrow. I know she feels the same way about me, too.
Ms. Isadora, I salute you for your courageousness. I salute you for caring enough to share your
thoughts. Most of all, I salute you for your strength.
You are in my prayers.
God bless and thank you,
Christine Ares, Blog Reader (Montreal)
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Dorothy Leung, 29
Director, Univ. of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine,
Senior’s Daughter, and New Mom
A Volunteer’s Story
08.18.11
I used to receive at least two to three letters a week from my dad. His notes became so frequent and predictable that I neither realized nor appreciated being the recipient of his kind words. That is, until those letters stopped coming. A couple of years ago, my dad stopped diligently taking care of himself, and I noticed a decline in his mental and physical health. When I moved him from California to Philadelphia, my sister and I were worried that he may not have a community of friends, so it was a pleasant surprise when I learned he was attending a "writing club."
When I attended the writing workshop and presentation last year at the Philadelphia Free Library and learned of the depth and breadth of this wonderful class, I knew that I needed to support it in any way I could. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to be on the copy writing team. I am able to read about and learn from some remarkable seniors whose stories are touching and honest and so funny! I love having the chance to "listen" to the lessons from those who have lived through incredible challenges, those who still have little materially but whose hearts are richer than most. And, I especially love when I am assigned my dad's stories, to know that he is once again lifting that pencil to the paper and expressing himself through words. I don't think I will ever get him back to the vibrant way he once was, but I do see - through his slanted, all-caps writing - the spirit that still wants to shine.
I don't always know how my dad keeps busy on most days, but I never have to worry about where he is on Thursdays. I love being able to log onto the blog and see his smiling face among the many people in the class. It's exciting to see him excited about his friends and the wonderful volunteers who make this possible. Although he doesn't write as frequently anymore, in many ways the weekly stories are even more meaningful than any letter of the past...and these stories are ones I will surely not take for granted.