“Conviction,” “clarity” and “commitment” are words that well-define Peggy Ewanoski.
As a feminist, she’s delighted women have many more opportunities today than she did growing up in the ’30s and ’40s.
“The Women’s Movement is by far the most positive thing that has impacted my sense of self worth,” said the 94-year-old Ewanoski. “The assumption of equality was like the opening of a door to a new and better world.”
Growing up on a farm during the Depression with her parents and three siblings meant hard work and little pay, but it also meant many learned attributes like fortitude and optimism. After being educated in a one-room Iowa schoolhouse, surviving scarlet fever and helping her mother “take in wash” to earn money for the family, Ewanoski completed two years of college at Iowa State, where she met her husband, Stan. The two would live in many cities and towns in California and Oregon as Stan was promoted in his U.S. Forest Service career, meanwhile raising their five children.
In 1967, Ewanoski, now running her own in-home day care, began teaching in the Head Start program, providing early childhood education to low-income children and their families.
“I loved watching kids grow and help build their self-esteem,” she said. “I required non-working parents to volunteer at least once a month. This let them see how the program was impacting their child’s development. It empowered them and also provided a support system. It was rewarding.”
At age 50, Ewanoski graduated from Chico State University with a bachelor’s degree in child development. She went on to teach early childhood education at Shasta College for eight years before retiring.
A desire to be closer to family in Federal Way called to the Ewanoskis, and the two moved into Village Green Retirement Campus in 2004. Stan developed Alzheimer’s disease and died six years later.
“I had the relief and the grief,” Ewanoski said.
In her sadness and healing, she relied on her strength and community of friends and involvement at Village Green.
“I always need to contribute,” Ewanoski said. “Village Green is open to ideas and activities. I can be as busy as I choose to be.”
As an active member of the Resident Council, Ewanoski spearheaded a senior walkathon that raised $4,000 for the Federal Way Caregiving Network, proposed the “No Talent” resident and staff talent show and created the Volunteer of the Month award. Being with her family, exercising, attending the Federal Way Symphony and joining lunches and dinners out with fellow residents all bring her joy.
As for growing older?
“Expect challenges every day,” Ewanoski said. “But greet each day with enthusiasm. Look at all the beautiful faces. Every wrinkle has been earned. It’s a privilege to be in old age.”
