This collection of writings and speeches was delivered and written over the course of the twenty-three years in which I represented my country at the United Nations. It reflects my efforts to bring to public attention the potential as well as the needs of older people, particularly older women, in our Third World. My aim was and is to replace the stereotype of helpless, pitiful elders with a truer picture - of people who could contribute to, and enrich society. Given the worldwide aging of populations and limits on available resources to deal with it, our recognition of that potential is imperative.