University of Massachusetts Boston - Beacon Yearbook (Boston, MA)

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The Fir t Day, pt. 1985 ' r X r - Photos by Mark Iarret Chavous Er, -llf can-..-.- fgf' ' ' I- J., . .1 . I f z 1. gf 'S In

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Frank Manning, 1902-19 6 1 One of the most important and influential people to come to U. Mass. Boston was a man that most UMB students never had the pleasure of meeting. He was Frank I. Manning, a man who did more than most countries to make sure that the elderly were not forgotten in a society that increasingly caters to the young. Manning was a man who dedicated his life to public service. Much of Manning's earlier work involved starting and organizing unions where laborers faced unjust conditions. Manning was asked to speak to, and speak for, many groups involved in union activities. He wrote letters to interested parties all over the country for causes he believed in, and even went to jail once to protect those beliefs. Sacrifice was some- thing Frank Manning knew about quite well. After years of service to his fellow man Manning retired in 1967, a time when the social unrest of the sixties was beginning to peak. Many groups of people who were feeling lost or left out of the mainstream of society were finding themselves, and taking a stand for their rights and dignity. Manning took note at what older Americans were going through, and after raising families on what today would merely be laundry mat change, older Americans were being discarded and ignored by a society with a short memory. lt affected him deeply to find out that, at the time of his retirement, the average social security check re- ceived by retired Americans was only 59400. Manning was also grieved to see many people displaced from their long time homes to make way for urban development. Manning could not sit idly by and watch this happen and realized his retirement was a way of accomplishing more than ever. I knew then that my job in life was not finished and that neither was it for other older Americans. Manning began by rallying senior citizens' club from all over Massachusetts, urging them to communicate with each other and to maintain contact. As a united group, Manning felt they would be more effective in getting legislators to be sensitive to issues of the elderly. To say that Manning achieved a level of success would be an understatement. Manning bolstered his already well-known reputation as potent but eloquent speaker at many gatherings and meetings dealing with senior citizens issues. He testified at hearings to get rapid transit fares lowered for senior citizens. He formed a group called Massachusetts Association of Older Americans KMAOAJ. In time, the MAOA was able to recieve non-profit organization status and grants which enabled it to hire a full time staff. Its work goes on to this day. Manning also was invited to lead Mass. delegations to the White House for the President's Council on Aging, both in 1971 and 1981. Manning had an influence on the Gerentology Program at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. At the planning stage, Manning helped to provide direction with some of his suggestions. He felt it was particularly important that the program have a public policy emphasis twhich is right in line with the philosophy of UMB's College of Public and Communi- ty Service, where the Gerentology Program operates at the Downtown Campusj and that the students learn about the leg- islative process and how to make it work for them. Several years later after the Gerentology program was founded in 1980, the program's students and faculty made an official request to the Dean that the commencement certificate for students who successfully complete the program be named in honor of Frank I. Manning. This was not just a reward for his input and guidance in starting the program, it was a tribute to a man who helped make the problems of aging an important issue that concerns all Americans. Manning's name appears proudly on all the certificates. Manning died in the summer of 1986. In his ailing health, he still attended the commencement ceremonies of the Gerentology Program and Institute, something he had made a point of doing over the last several years. As usual, he mixed his sharp but subtle wit with serious matters, and his warmth filled the hall at the Iohn F. Kennedy library. As one looks over Mannings many goals and accomplishments, one thing comes to mind that he once said that would seem to sum up his personal philosophy! Do not be deterred by failure, as there is great satisfaction in associating with your fellow man in trying to do some- thing that will help certain people of humanity. He will be missed. i aMark Iarret Chazious Special thanks to Scott Bass and Pat Schell of the Gerentology Program for their generous assistance in preparing this report.