Real People/Making a Splash
They’re Saving Lives Through Water Ballet
The Harlem Honeys and Bears spread the gospel of safety while swimming in sync
Clockwise from top right: Thoney Freeman, Wilawun Guyvijitr, Jane Bartholomew, Jeanne Nedd
FOR MOST OF her life, Jeanne Nedd, 82, didn’t know how to swim. Then, at 64, she signed up for lessons. Now Nedd, shown at top left, is a dedicated member of her teacher’s synchronized swimming troupe, the Harlem Honeys and Bears.
The New York City team—ranging in age from 55 to 91—has fun while on a serious mission: improving water safety in their community. Because of racial segregation of public pools before the ’60s, many older Black Americans missed a childhood chance to learn to swim and therefore couldn’t teach their kids. The group runs swimming lessons in Harlem for people 50 and older.
“We’re here to change the story,” says LeRoi Whethers, 74, a retired teacher who joined the squad 15 years ago. “Most of the folks on the team didn’t learn to swim until they were 50, 60 or older. If we can do this, anyone can.” —David Hochman