Lessons from a Wise Woman

Today’s Daughter of Change, Marilyn Laken, is a woman who was ahead of her time in a male-dominated world - and with grit, determination, and a strategic mind - rose through the ranks of medical academia.After earning a BSN from the University of Md and a master’s degree from Boston University in Maternal/Child Health Nursing.Marilyn, who enjoyed asking questions and experimenting with more effective ways to provide health care, decided to get a doctorate in biological anthropology to pursue an academic career with an emphasis on research. Health equity has always been a passion for Marilyn, so most of her academic work focused on how to improve access to quality health care for vulnerable populations such as low-income pregnant women and children, and members of the AME Church.This required working with state and national government agencies and Congress on laws and health policies to improve access to care and with professional organizations on changes in practice guidelines to better meet the needs of vulnerable women and children. Marilyn retired after working for 52 years and is now focused on learning more about the needs of aging people and identifying ways to reduce isolation and stimulate our brains.I’m excited to have the opportunity to converse with this wise woman who has helped to pave the way for the women who came after her. Links to Check Out:Marilyn's LinkedInFollow Daughters of Change:Website:Facebook:InstagramLinkedInMarie's LinkedIn:Daughters of Change Podcast Editor:  Sarah StaceySarah's LinkedIn Profile