CALL HER AL

     There was a time when Al Miller couldn't book a meeting in this town.

     Born as Angelique Miller, she said it was hard for people to take her seriously with her given name after college, so she began signing her letters as Al Miller.  "It was soon clear that Al could get into doors that Angelique couldn't, so that stuck with me,"  she said.

     Many times, Al was invited to meetings where people assumed they would be greeting a male.  She said she received many surprised looks from corporate professionals.  "The first time I went to one of those meetings, I was the only female," she laughed.  "One of those men told me I was the best looking Al he'd ever met."

     Yet Miller said the dynamics of the meeting changed.   "They saw me as being credible, so I was invited to future meetings," said Miller.   The determined professional spent the last 10 years working in the public sector.   

      Today she's Director of Neighborhood Senior Centers at Meals on Wheels Atlanta, overseeing programs like the recent Senior Wellness Challenge.  Behind the scenes, she's also assuring that each one of the seniors involved are getting the care they need.

     With both parents having passed, Al Miller treats our Atlanta boomers like they are surrogates.  "Seniors are looking for consistency in all areas of their lives," said Miller.   "It helps them to build a routine.  By coming here, they learn our 7 Degrees of Wellness,".  

     This approach includes providing meals, dietary information, exercise options, wellness issues, and case management for those in need.

     With the senior population in the U.S. about 4.5 million, the government estimates 23% are in bad or poor health by age 65. 

     The road to wellness for Al Miller?  Get up and out of the chair.  "It's that easy," said Miller.  "You might have a senior in your family that sits in a chair all day long.  This is not good for their health. Our project aims to make senior aware that they can suffer if they remain static."

    As far as advice to females in the workplace, Miller says she encourages women not to be afraid.  "The world is a different place now, filled with opportunity for anyone who will apply themselves.  That's what we say to our seniors.  Just apply yourself."
     
    Like the other agencies, Meals on Wheels needs support and there are a number of ways to help.  To get involved, contact the MOW web site.

---Ray Macon