After decades of community service, Maureen McCabe-Power is being recognized for the impact she has made both inside and outside the library.
The East Lansing resident will receive the Michigan State University (MSU) AgeAlive Legacy Award at the AgeAlive Education & Research Forum and Awards Ceremony on Thursday, March 26, which highlights leaders in aging-related research and community engagement from across the state.. The Legacy Award is given in honor of an older adult who has a long and outstanding history of service to others that improves quality of life and well-being for individuals and society.
For McCabe-Power, the recognition was unexpected.
“I was totally surprised, totally surprised and quite honored,” she said.
She added that staying active has always been important to her, especially as she has gotten older.
“I do try to stay very much involved as I age,” she said. “And I try to fight the aging process as best I can.”
McCabe-Power is being honored for her longtime work with the Friends of the East Lansing Public Library, where she has served in leadership roles and continues to volunteer regularly.
“I started out with the Friends of the East Lansing Public Library right after I retired,” she said. “I was asked to serve on the board, which I did for about 10 years.”
Even now, she still spends time each week volunteering at the group’s bookstore, helping sort and price donated items.
“We raise money for the library,” she said. “Anything the library asks of us, that’s what the Friends are for — to support the library.”
Her connection to libraries goes back decades. McCabe-Power began her career in library science, earning a master’s degree and working in both public and school libraries before transitioning into city government and human resources.
“I really feel like I’ve come full circle,” she said. “After retirement, I circled right back to my very first passion, which was libraries.”
She said working with donated books continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of her volunteer work.
“It’s fascinating to find treasures that people donate,” she said. “You think, ‘Oh my, that’s an interesting book.’ It keeps me engaged and learning.”
Her efforts also help make reading more accessible in the community.
“It makes books more affordable,” she said. “We sell them at nominal prices… so people who still like to read books can get them.”
McCabe-Power was nominated for the award by her friend Suzanne Sorkin, a retired Michigan State University faculty member and physician, who said her impact reaches far beyond the library.
“If this is what 80 looks like, then sign me up,” Sorkin said. “She is just a dynamo, a very impressive person who deserves some recognition.”
Sorkin credited McCabe-Power with helping raise significant funds for the East Lansing Public Library and taking on leadership roles that many volunteers avoid.
“She’s been willing to be president, to be responsible for a lot of financial decisions,” Sorkin said. “That’s something not everyone wants to do.”
In addition to her library work, McCabe-Power volunteers with the Davies Project, helping provide transportation to medical appointments for families in need – tying into the theme of this year’s forum, “Advancing Mobility Across Settings As We Age.” She also helped create a book donation program for children connected to the organization.
For McCabe-Power, giving back has always been a core value.
“You need to be involved,” she said. “You just need to pay attention and be involved.”
She said that mindset comes from how she was raised.
“I was raised by parents who were very involved in the community,” she said. “So I’ve tried to practice that during my lifetime as well.”
Her involvement has also helped her stay connected to others and to new ideas.
“It keeps me busy, and it keeps me involved,” she said. “It helps me stay in touch with what’s going on.”
Sorkin said McCabe-Power’s influence can even be seen in her own neighborhood.
“She really has created networks and support systems,” Sorkin said. “She makes it a community and not just a place on a map.”
As she reflects on the award, McCabe-Power said the work itself has always mattered more than recognition.
“Staying busy, staying involved, and trying not to get old,” she said with a laugh.
The AgeAlive Forum will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in East Lansing, with additional viewing options in Ishpeming and online. The awards ceremony begins at 1 p.m.
For McCabe-Power, the message she hopes others take away is simple.
“You just need to be involved,” she said. “That’s how you make a difference.”
For additional information on the forum and awards ceremony, visit: MSU AgeAlive Awards – AgeAlive
