Monday, September 30, 2013

Meet Brenda Kelley-Nelum, A Champion for Seniors (and NASGA Legislative Liaison!)

Brenda Kelley-Nelum, a loyal AARP volunteer, is a champion for senior citizens. She has been a longtime activist for standing up and protecting seniors from abuse and wrongdoings. A Washington D.C native, Brenda attended public school before they were integrated. In 1954, her 7th grade year, she went from a small six room elementary school to the quite large Eastern High School. The transformation she said is unforgettable. Brenda continued her education and received a BA from Howard University.

Brenda’s career consisted of being a federal auditor for the inspector general and a financial representative for the National Council of Senior Citizens now called Senior Service America.  She worked extensively with the Virginia Leadership Institute getting citizens in the Prince William area involved in the community through becoming members of state and local commissions. For fun, Brenda does different community service projects like planning an event educating people on healthy soul food cooking through the zeta chi omega chapter of her sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc. With over 100 attendants, some of the guests included the state President of AARP, a state senator, and a city council member. In her spare time Brenda, enjoys using Facebook and Twitter to keep up with friends and family.

Brenda first got involved with AARP to advocate for a new healthcare system. She saw AARP being criticized for supporting the Medicare Part D prescription drug legislation. Watching citizens in Richmond publicly destroying their AARP membership cards pushed Brenda into action; she thought “shouldn’t these people be working with AARP in order to have their concerns fought for?” and with that, she got involved. She felt that AARP was committed to seeing healthcare reform to the very end and she wanted to be a part of that—regardless of the flack she might receive from friends and neighbors.

Brenda mostly works with AARP on healthcare issues but she is a big advocate for doing more to combat elder abuse; a cause AARP is deeply concerned about. Brenda has been very vocal about elders being abused by those in trusted with their guardianship and would like to see the issue have more light shed upon it. Brenda would like to see AARP working on more of a micro level in order to be more responsive to every senior’s needs and concerns.

Source:
Meet Brenda Kelley-Nelum - A Champion for Seniors

25 comments:

Thelma said...

Brenda's doing a great job. NASGA must be very proud of her.

Anonymous said...

Ms. Kelley-Nelum is also a distinguished member of Virginia's Commonwealth Council on Aging. She has been a lonely voice advocating for oversight and accountability of Virginia's public guardianship programs, and for reform of Virginia's dysfunctional, ineffective oversight of assisted living facilities like the six dangerous, disgusting hellholes with up to 400 people operated by the notorious Scott Schuett in the Hampton Roads area. For more information, please google Scott Schuett, and visit the Virginians for Guardianship Reform website: www.virginiaguardianship.org .

NASGA said...

We are, Thelma!

BendigoBanksters said...

An absolutely outstanding job well done and a tribute that is well deserved.

When a person dedicates that time and effort to causes as in this case, the person should be recognized and complemented on there service to a good cause...!!

Well Done...!!

StandUp said...

Congratulations, Brenda! What a glowing article!

Anonymous said...

Every State need a Brenda!! Thanks Brenda.

Steve said...

I can tell by your picture that you care, Brenda.

Anonymous said...

If anonymous is right, that "Ms. Kelley-Nelum is also a distinguished member of Virginia's Commonwealth Council on Aging." but, "She has been a lonely voice advocating for oversight and accountability of Virginia's public guardianship programs," since she is surrounded by so-called caring professionals all day long, every day, we can deduce the other professionals do not care about guardian abuse, or are actively involved in making it worse.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that you are fighting for our loved ones. My Dad's wife put him in a VA home an hour and a half away because it is cheap. He has declined so rapidly, and now his court appointed advocate says he has resigned to stay there, when all summer long he begged me to get him out. Now he's in the hospital again, to far away to go see. All alone. Please help.

Sylvia Rudek said...

Dear Brenda -

Congratulations!

Wonderful news to see recognition from highly regarded source: AARP for being recognized for your dedication, for your hard work and efforts being the voice for those who have been silenced as well as your tireless efforts to reform and change the system for future a better society for many generations.

Proud to know you.

Proud of your accomplishments.

Very best to you in your future goals.

Thank you!

Sylvia Rudek

Jane said...

Anon 3, I think we can deduce from that comment that Ms. Kelley-Nelum is persistent and determined.

Norma said...

Thank you for all you do for the elderly, Brenda, and for NASGA.

Scott said...

Brenda, you do us proud. And I appreciate all you do for the elderly.

honeybear said...

You certainly are a credit to all advocates, Brenda. I am glad to be a fellow NASGA member.

B Inberg said...

Wonderful news to share and thank you Brenda you go girl! You are an asset to society.

Not an AARP fan said...

I am disappointed in AARP. They used to be such a help to Seniors and now it's all about Insurance and profit.

That said, I am pleased to see an advocate of Brenda Kelley-Nelum's character involved in AARP. She will make a positive influence and maybe help them find their way back.

NASGA Member said...

One giant step for the good of mankind - Brenda will be a strong advocate for those who do not have a voice or standing. Praise and best to you always.

Bill said...

How impressive! I agree with Sylvia, I'm proud to know you and of your accomplishments. We are all so lucky at NASGA that you're part of us!

Sissy said...

AARP is lucky to have you, Brenda!

Anonymous said...

Brenda, you're a wonder and an example for all of us.

Chad said...

We victims get tired and beat up. It's good to know one of us gets up and gets busy. Brenda, you deserve this tribute and your hard work is paying off!

Ruth said...

I hope people follow the good example you have set, Ms. Nelum.

member of nasga said...

AARP is fortunate to have you on board! A voice for we the people.

Kayla said...

You go girl! What energy and drive you have.

Anonymous said...

Brenda is my sorority sister and I think she's great!