In celebrating women's triumphs, the author can't resist using the offensive noun "males" in place of "men": "the #MeToo movement has toppled some high-profile males."
This slight is sex-specific. That is, in 31 places, we have "woman" or "women". Not once do we have the noun "female", a la, oh, "the year of the female".
"Male" is pretentiously clinical. Worse than that, the noun is a description of a horse or person on an auction block.
To advert to feminist cant: "males" marginalizes men.
If it is to remain acceptable speech, how about spreading around the fun? Bring back "chick".
1
Hopefully this enthusiasm will extend to Hillary Clinton if she announces a run for President again. The best response to the mud thrown by detractors and Russia, and an underlying misogynistic view of women in high positions of power, would be another tilt - and a win.
5
Given how invisible us older women are, you have to wonder why the CIA isn’t interested in our services. We’d make great spies.
59
I’m a Canadian, 68 years old. I was a teacher in the public system for over 40 years. I retired at 65, with a “buy out”, to save a younger teacher’s job - although I never thought I would retire at 65. I have pensions and no worries re health care, and I feel truly liberated in many ways for the first time, reclaiming my identity, for example. I taught myself how to use a graphics program and wrote and illustrated a book about women, aging and identity that I self-published as an ebook. And now I’m working on another. Trying to be meaningful. Railing against invisibility. And I agree that this piece should not be in the Style section!
37
I've met more than one woman of 60 or so who were really sexy.
10
Germaine Greer shouted from the rooftops in her 1992 book “The Change” that older women were invisible. Many didn’t want to know and derided her for her stridency. I first discovered how right she was around my 50th birthday, finding it actually quite liberating. And now we all know she was right all along...........
16
But yet this is in the style section... It feels like we are being elevated in the headline and trivialized in the categorizing.
47
Legitimate question: How many women in the NYT newsroom are over 60?
54
Oh. Really.
Good for them.
What is the actual point of this article; that there are a few woman who genuinely hold power that are enjoying working in their sunset years?
Or that it's too bad for the majority of older woman who, as the writer puts it, have to work.
Most people don't enjoy their jobs even when they're young, let alone over 65 .
This may come as a shock Jessica, but most people have to work.
While I am not waiting for anything like wage equity or job protections I am also sick to death of working.
I'm nearly 70 and while I am self-employed my work no longer has the same luster it once did.
However, I have to work.
An article like this basically has no relevance to the vast majority of us.It doesn't address the fact that working women are shamefully treated - that there are an exceptional few that are having a ball is an anomaly.
Many women have no choice put to continue to work.It's their plight that should be examined - unfortunately thats too un-glamorous a topic.
36
The only problem with this article? It's not long enough! More about older women working and leading full, healthy & happy lives, please.
13
The only "power" I crave at age 75 is to force my local Kroger store to buy some new batteries that can still hold a charge, for those scooters that help those of us with mobility issues, do our shopping. And make sure someone is responsible for bringing them in from the parking lot and plugging them in to recharge.
Whole Foods must buy the ones that Kroger finally junks as theirs are virtually unusable and the seats or torn and not even repaired with a bit of duct tape. Perhaps they need to order some from Amazon!
Don't talk to me about elderly politicians of either party or sex. They have survived with a BIG staff to do even the "light lifting" and they know where all the bodies are buried.
8
In all fairness , older men as well as women experience ageism. Tech jobs is the worst! I live in the Bay Area so I know a thing or two about this awful situation. High paid men and women are let go for younger, childless and cheaper workers who are willing to totally “devote” themselves - i.e. enslave themselves/ to the company.
I totally agree that this area is the last taboo.
As far as “invisibility” is concerned, how someone feels about themselves projects out into the world and is reflected back in terms of how one is treated. If you feel powerful and “ present” others will treat you as such.
Try it/ it works!
15
This is all very well and good, but let's also evaluate the impact of having significantly more women (and presumably men) working well past the traditional age of retirement. Especially those who are not doing it "for the money". What effect has this increase had on subsequent generations, who are now in their 30s 40s and early 50s, and who have been waiting patiently for the boomers to retire?
7
I'm not surprised, as a 63 year old woman, to read so many comments from and about powerful, accomplished women. But when I read something about "invisible" women I am viscerally reminded of that feeling of pure invisibility that I get when I walk into a store without a man accompanying me, and have a difficult time getting someone to help me. Back when I was married, this rarely happened. Salespeople would see a married couple, think money and sales were about to occur and jump right on it.
Of course I can't prove it, but I am convinced that as a woman "of a certain age" I'm indeed quite invisible in many places in our couples oriented society. And then when I do get a salesperson to help me, if they are younger, and especially if they are male, they either don't know what I'm talking about or they pretend not to. They look at me and see an irrelevant old lady. Not a mother of three accomplished adult children, a lawyer who runs my own practice, a tech geek, kayaker, gardener,bicycler, artist, music lover, and amateur ukulele player. Many of my divorced women friends notice the same thing. So it's not just me. We are invisible.
37
Margaret Thatcher was still Prime Minister of Britain in her '60's.
Judi Dench has a brilliant career in her multiple decades past 60.
And the list goes on and on but it appears articles like this recycle.
Please recognize the there are many women who have come before.
9
Thanks for the laugh. I have a master's degree and decades of work experience. A few years back I attended a well known coding school and trained as a web developer. I'm an Uber driver now. Not because I want to be, but because I have been unable to get a job in the profession I worked in for 20+ years, let alone in tech. Diversity ends at 40. So many HR people are millenials, and they are not going to pass an older woman out of the screening process. I can't wait for the day it happens to them.
69
It's been said that 70 is the new 50. I can believe it. At 71, my health is better than my grandparents' health. Three didn't make it to 50; one didn't make it to 40.
Just this week, a former classmate announced he is looking for a part time job. And why not? His mind is lively, his wit as great as ever.
It's about time that older women are respected as older men have been for a long time. I'm tired of men with gray hair being considered distinguished, while women with gray hair are "old." I wear my gray proudly, though I'd probably look younger if I colored it.
19
"Katie Couric, the longtime news anchor, who celebrated her 62nd birthday this week. “So to see someone like Glenn Close give the most moving speech of the night, and her experience and wisdom respected, or when you see Susan Zirinsky be elevated, I say, ‘Bring it on. Let’s have more of this.’”
What I find truly inspiring about women like Glenn Close is her sense of security and comfort about herself. She didn't go the route of cosmetic surgery to enhance her eyes, cheeks, lips, etc. She kept herself in fantastic shape, embraced nature as it continues to evolve and continues to give awesome, powerful and dynamic performances. She is golden in my book because of her strong sense of who she is, how she sees herself and how incredible an actor she has become over the years.
23
How do you know she hasn’t had ‘work’ done?
7
Our culture grew more comfortable with the idea of women in the workplace at all through TV -- think Mary Tyler Moore in the 1970s. Yes, this article is about a few high-profile, rich women, but their examples can slowly but surely lift us all. When women in their sixties, seventies and beyond are making real contributions, and those contributions are covered extensively online, on social media and on news shows, perhaps eventually that changes the broader perception. Who knows, it could mean the evolution of hiring managers who aren't so quick to delete an application from "women of a certain age."
8
Great -- now let's make sure that employers read resumes, schedule interviews and hire older women. I'm in my sixties and, in 2018, began a new job in a new field. It took me 3 1/2 years to find that job - to find any job - after I'd been laid off from a position I'd held for nearly two decades. A sampling of the comments I heard during my prolonged job search:
"It would be a miracle if, at your age, you found a new job" (NYC recruiter);
"People who lose their jobs at your age retire or go back where they came from" (NYC recruiter);
"How old is she?" (Prospective employer, to recruiter)
"Exactly how 'senior' is she?" (Bankruptcy partner, Paul Weiss Rifkind, to recruiter -- yes you, Paul Weiss Rifkind, for that conflict-checking position).
"You mean you found a real job, with salary and benefits? I can't even get an interview!" (60+ woman neighbor, a successful professional, who lost her job a couple of years ago and is now volunteering.)
I persisted - also began my own small business and taught p/t. Through friends, I was interviewed and - finally- found a job. BTW, my resume is platinum-plated, and no one denied that. Employers refused to talk to me, despite my qualifications and experience -- because I was "too old."
All the changes described in this article are great, but they must result in real jobs for ordinary women, and an end to age discrimination in the workplace.
83
My mom is 70 and works because she can. She told her manager she will leave her office via pine box when he asked/suggested her retirement. I chuckled.
Ladies, thank you for your comments and stories. I am 40 and feel like I am finally coming into my own. All of you inspire me.
17
Well this is a fear when hiring older workers. They may not voluntarily retire even when their skills decline below acceptable levels. One of my friends worked in a state government office that was little more than a nursing home for former workers who still received full pay.
7
May you never age.
4
Oh please. I worked in state government for over 20 years and supervised quite a few grandmothers who never called in sick, rarely made errors and were as honest as the day is long. Just wait..you'll be on the chopping block sooner than you think.
24
I'm so excited to read this article and now I can hardly wait for my 60th birthday in a month!
6
"It seems that older women, long invisible or shunted aside, are experiencing an unfamiliar sensation: power."
Let us pray that the wisdom attained through long years and vast experience, which can only be derived by living long, will lead these heed the warning of Lord Action, addressed to men but equally pertinent to women.
"“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority; still more when you superadd the tendency of the certainty of corruption by authority.”"
2
Men will continue to start more slowly than women. And I'm not just referring to sexual visibility. When one hears of the "youngest X ever", it's usually a woman.
This doesn't mean that it's fair that older women find it harder, or even that young men should have it easier. In fact, women's rushed apprenticeship — a reflection of our greater prizing of their youth — is one thing holding them back.
I “retired” at 66 from a corporate communications directorship. Since then, I’ve been blogging on politics & women’s issues for a national website and I wrote my first (non-commissioned) book - MY thoughts, MY research, MY argument! And I stopped “highlighting” my hair (freedom from hours at the salon...and my silver streaks are shiny, healthy and look great). Oh, and I became a grandmother ...twice! I’ve only just BEGUN.
9
Thank you Hillary Clinton. This new feminist wave would not be possible without your extraordinary efforts in 2016. Your impact will be felt for decades, far more than a presidential term or two.
24
I kind of don't like that this article is in the STYLE section and not BUSINESS. I feel at 61 I am just getting started on long held dreams though I have worked since the age of 14 (detassling corn and babysitting). After earning a BFA I pursued creative work in and outside of the corporate world. I have lived on both coasts, in the Middle East and now in Latin America. Last year I earned my long desired Master of Fine Arts degree at age 61. This year I am learning Spanish to assist in my new position as a professor in Mexico. I will never stop doing, learning, creating... how do you retire from what you love? All of the above opportunities were results of working hard, making my own money and marrying a supportive man who has stuck by me for 30 years and going. He's retired, and I'm his sugar mama.
32
Thank you for sharing your comments. Aging is what you make of it.
4
I am shocked, shocked (as Capitaine Renault so famously said in Casablanca) to discover that I have been reading the Style Section. In the paper paper, that's one of the sections that goes straight to the recycling. I guess one of the advantages of the on-line paper is that sometimes we go in unexpected directions. I do wonder, as others have, what this article in doing in Style...
26
I applaud women rising to their full potential and being recognized for it. Brava! Let's not overdo it. Glenn Close is an ACTOR of huge repute. She's that before being a frivilous Golden Globe winner. These awards are complete nonsense. I judge what I like, not the various awards.
2
Yes that’s correct- older women are constantly prevented from doing anything: They refused Pelosi as Speaker. Then Glen Close was refused entry on the stage to accept her award. Indeed, it was a younger woman who played the role for which she won. So true so true..
3
We did hear the roar of laughter when Maxine Waters declared that Putin was in the process of occupying Korea. And that's who's now chair of the Financial Services Committee..
3
A nice feel good article, but as other readers have pointed out, is not reflective of the experience of much of the over 65 female world, including educated professionals. Really, NYT! If you'd published an article spotlighting successful 20-something African American men to suggest that young black males overall no longer faced daunting challenges, you would be excoriated. And rightly so.
Ageism is the last acceptable prejudice in the US, and it's particularly acceptable when it's directed at women. We are expected to be invisible, and media is complicit is setting this expectation. Interesting that you pictured Donna Shalala, the oldest freshman in the new House--a respected, experienced academic and former Cabinet member-- as she has been all but ignored by media. Instead, the press has fawned over Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, the youngest freshman. While AOC is admirably spunky (and has proven herself to be as good a social media self promoter as the Prez), she is inexperienced and often, ill-informed. But apparently, her inexperience is far outweighed by her youth and mediagenic good looks, and is even a virtue--"fresh". That's just all part of the vocabulary that diminishes older women, particularly in the workforce.
75
I don't know how old the author is, but I don't think she has a bloody clue about systemic ageism in every single facet of our culture — so ubiquitous that no one even recognizes it, except those of use who experience it — and how older women who are not at the highest level of authority and control are treated. And if I hear the "age is just a number" cliche one more time, I'll unsubscribe from every single media outlet that trumpets it. This article is offensive and condescending in its naivete and chirpiness.
32
Who could forget Maxine Waters's roar: Trump "is wrapping his arms around Putin while Putin is continuing to advance into Korea". - Feb 2017
4
Funny to read this today. I've been reading that the progressives and many at the NYTimes believe 'old people' need to step back and let the youth take over. Of course, that would be nonsense and result in utter chaos given the complexities of government and legislation today, but that's the take I've been reading. I've also been reading that the country is 'delighted' that so many minorities are represented. So, is it okay to be an old white woman in a government position? Do we really believe that those in government are 'powerful' or even should be?
8
The word, "vibrant." When was the last time you heard a MAN described as "vibrant?"
21
Time to update the talking points.
4
Whoop-de-do! A few old women have great jobs. Unlike many developed countries where age is respected and rewarded with decent pay, in the United States both older women and men are discriminated against and have a hell-of a time finding work following job loss starting in their mid-forties. Yes! how did 40s and 50s come to seen as old and out of step? The lack of access to healthcare, because it's unaffordable, is a huge problem other people in advance countries don't have to worry about when the breadwinner loses a job. Both the unemployed and their families suffer immensely. There is no job security anymore in the U.S. Congress let companies raid pension funds, leaving ineffective 401K plans. The only way to have job security is to be self-employed. The Republicans want to ..further... raise the age for Social Security, turn Medicare over to private insurance companies, yet, they have a open checked book for invading countries, fighting endless wars and building war weapons. And ... the people hurt the most by these policies, voted for the embarrassment we have in the White House and a Republican Senate majority. All the while they enjoy taxpayer pensions and healthcare, after they're kicked out of office or retire. Oh! and they're wanting a raise.
20
Ageism works both ways. When I started on Match.com in my male 50s, women my age replied with the range of 50s to 60s. As time went by, their upper limit has receded to their current age or below. I guess they no longer wish to be with an "older man".
Reminds me of men looking for the Spring chicks.....who were derided by women back then.
Welcome to the club.
2
I run a small advertising creative firm, am president of a non-profit and act as a Regional Representative for the Dramatists Guild. I willingly put in 60 and 70 hour weeks. I am 69 years old. And I find it sooo very annoying when younger people - mostly younger women - look at me and say deprecatingly, "Oh, you have so much energy!"
I also had "so much energy" at 19, 29, 39, 49 and 59. Why should it be different now? I plan to continue doing as much as I can do every day until I drop.
11
I am in my late 40s and this makes perfect sense to me. My children are teenagers and starting to glimpse the horizon beyond life at home. I've had decades of experience at both work and home of solving problems, weathering crises, managing logistics, and working with all different personality types. The cliche is true - if you want something done, give it to someone who's busy. Who better than older women to gain some power?
9
Brava to all the writers here who are living exciting and fulfilling lives past 65. I wish it were so for all of us. Many of my friends share my own sense of a new invisibility as an older woman that is a difficult as the sexualization we faced in youth.
I did notice that the women you pictured or mention in the article tend to avoid their grey hair and accept plastic surgery to improve a youthful appearance. We older women won't truly own our power until we can proudly go as we are -- grey, wrinkled, fit, wonderful.
12
This is awesome. One reason is a welcome improvement in gender equality. But another is the story of Baby Boomer dominance. At every stage, this generation has had outsize power, along with outsize self-regard.
Hopefully, both Gen-X and Millenial women will do as well, but I woudn't assume that will be true. Gen-X'ers, in particular, are like today's Silent Generation members, and it will be interesting to see whether they are passed over.
6
So pleased to see this story. Too often ageism is impacting how people 50+ feel about themselves. Rather than be called an elder, senior, or baby boomer, I prefer the idea of being at an Expressive Age, as a time of life and the way you express it. Thank you for bringing attention some amazing women over 60.
4
This is a welcome development, but to see it as something brand new under the sun is to lack some historical perspective. Marie Dressler won an Oscar and topped the exhibitor popularity charts in the early 1930s when she was in her sixties (and looked it). And the long line of postmenopausal women whose access to political power grew as they aged stretches back past Eleanor of Aquitaine.
2
Wow... there is a lot to unpack from this article. Just as it a mistake undervalue woman over 60, it is naive to underestimate the power of the Style Section. Being born in 1961, I recognized that I have benefited from the work of the vast majority of baby boomers who came before me. I was given different messages and have had more opportunities than the previous generation of women. While I agree that this article is about a very small and privileged group of women, by highlighting them, it has illuminated the lives of those women it who are invisible.
3
I love it when the wealthy and powerful are used as role models for those who aren't. I'm glad my gender is getting ahead, but frankly, a lot of us have worked ourselves sick without getting to the top and also worry about financial security in retirement. This is a Times phenomenon --- focusing on a small, and yes, elite group, that is supposed to represent the rest of us. It's a fairy tale.
I am better off than the overwhelming majority of women in this country and it was by luck and my own efforts. But I still get steamed when I see stories like this. Celebrate the successful, yes, but don't imply that it applies or should apply to everyone else.
Journalism, my former profession, has a long way to go.
35
I was laid off from a management position I had held for 11 years in January 2017 and have been unemployed ever since, despite sending out hundreds of resumes and going on countless interviews. I have worked since I was 18 and have never been unemployed for more than a couple of months, nor have I ever had any problem finding a position. The ONLY difference (besides the fact that I have more experience) that I'm older now (I'll be 60 in March). I'm happy for all the women who "refuse to quit" but what happens when you're discarded?
44
This article is somewhat deceptive in talking about women over 60 when Nancy Pelosi turns 79 in a month. As a person over 60, I can tell you there’s a big difference between my younger friends who are 60 and my older friends who are turning 80. The amazing thing is not that people over 60 are vital, but that people over 80 like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Dianne Feinstein and Nancy Pelosi are still leading the charge.
17
Right on! I am 52 and am personally pleased with my decision a year ago to make a career move. I left an unaccepting and un-inclusive organization and now I work with a company who supports me and who is appreciative of me, and I have been wildly productive, all while earning a considerably higher salary. Never give up or accept un-inclusivity.
10
I am 65 female, and support all "older" women in their own pursuits of employment, influence, power, whatever.
However, I worked for 35 years in a career where I was taken as seriously as any man. And I also very much looked forward to retirement. I don't want to work anymore. But, since I retired, 5 years ago, I am constantly pressured by both men and women to "go back to work, or "run for office", etc. I have enough money that I don't need to, but it bothers people to see me taking it easy, it seems. I do some volunteer work, I am not a hermit. Please let me be...let me enjoy not working.
Hooray for the women in this article, but please don't make those of us who don't have the same goals as they do feel bad about ourselves.
18
@chrisinroch well put. I retired from my 25 year military career at age 43, am now age 60, and have not worked for 17 years. I love being retired and no, I don't need a job. I had enough bosses in the military and enjoy every single day of retired life. I have more than enough money and sufficient healthcare coverage so there is no incentive for me to go back to work. Had I needed a job I would have remained on active duty and made more money!
9
I joined the Peace Corps when I was 57 and spent 2 years in Honduras. There were some other older women in my group because Peace Corps takes qualified candidates of any age. It was a wonderful experience—sharing our skills and abilities and experience with the people of my community and with my colleagues. We were valued and respected not only by the Hondurans ( who referred to me always as doña Deborah) but also by the younger volunteers. Adventure, new purposes, and new challenges for older women do exist but I’ll admit it’s not so easy to find them, let alone act on them.
22
YAY! While older men are marginalized, it is worse for older women. No one wants to hire their parent, and older women have often functioned in their spouse's shadow. But- the article profiles women who either had substantial careers and are now into a new phase (Donna Shalala) or those who have maintained positions of influence and power- although not the top position. It does not address those of us who have had lower level professional positions, or "mommy jobs" because hours were more flexible to meet family needs. Now that our children are grown we still cannot advance because we stayed too long in lower level positions. As the co-worker of millennials I listen daily to the complaint that millenials cannot advance because Boomers are still working (yes, it is age discrimination). As the parent of childless millenials I listen to their stories of counterparts who cannot advance because they have family responsibilities, or took 5-10 years off and thus do not have current skills.
That said, make no mistake- when my husband's entire unit was laid off and none offered relocation it took 2 years to find employment, and at half his previous salary.
16
I relate to the invisible part. Crossing the street is way more dangerous than it used to be!
13
Very inspiring and necessary article. I love the comments and the energy coming off them. It's so good to hear these stories.
I can't help but feel confirmed once again in my belief that what matters in life is work and passion and feeling fulfilled by them. THAT is the definition of happiness. To live a full life. I am so sick of all the obsession people have with "finding happiness." Happiness isn't to be found anywhere. It's simply in the process of living a purposeful life.
15
It's ridiculous that this article was selected to be included in the "Style" section, as though anything having to do with women isn't news. Shame on you.
51
Pelosi is amazing! She can take arms dealer's money and give it to down ballot races and the stink of Raytheon blood Money doesn't touch them.
5
It is about time. The old white guys (like me) have had their chance, time for a fresh perspective.
10
misogyny is a thing
9
EDIT: I Am (an Older WHITE) Woman. Hear Me Roar.
9
Yeah, 3 women a trend doth make. You really think ageism and the ageist-sexist nexus is improving? Rofl
25
Great article, but when will The New York Times (and Washington Post) stop running this type of piece in a section they call "Style"?
27
"Lest you think that notion is outdated, look no further than the French author Yann Moix, who told Marie Claire magazine last week that he doesn’t notice women over 50."
Well, I don't know this idiot Yann Moix so I don't see him either.
30
What a stupid opener, using Hear Me Roar. You destroy context, you set up agenda. You think it's funny? This is why people have little respect for reporters/journalism. As someone who used to write non-fiction lengthy articles for a living, I am disappointed. Everything is slanted. It's as if you don't know how to deal with Trump so you give him what he wants. Most of these subjects are layered in cultural history, technological changes, and all the things that allow for progress. You turn it into a soundbite.
12
The causality is backward -- women depending on social security is because they can't get a job because of age discrimination! The longevity of celebrities is irrelevant. Wise up NYT
12
White women have always been roaring in America.
White women benefit from their access to their white supremacist nationalist misogynist patriarchal American fathers, uncles, brother, sons, cousins and nephews. White women have been the greatest beneficiaries of the black blood, sweat and tears shed during the Civil Rights era. White women got the right to vote before black men and women in the South.
Black women have been the victims of both white male and female bigotry plus black male misogyny and patriarchy.
There is no rational reason for any black girl to be inspired by the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Glen Close, Susan Zirinsky or Ruth Ginsberg. Hillary Clinton was no more the first black First Lady than Bill Clinton was the first black President.
14
@Blackmamba
Check out the recent "RBG" documentary (likely free on PBS web site) - on Ruth Ginsberg and how she as denied work as a lawyer in NYC when no women were "allowed" work in the legal profession back in the day. She subsequently worked to take legal cases she made and won for advancement of women in the workplace.
This is one reason for you & young black women to watch and - "be inspired by the likes" of her...
7
Call me misogynist; call me ageist. But it has to be said. Nancy Pelosi's appearance answering Trump's oval office speech is an event that should not be repeated. That for the sake of the Democratic Party.
She looked terrible and a bit ridiculous, not because of anything natural but because of her very unnatural and way overdone make-up.
She sounded terrible, inarticulate and hard to understand, swallowing many syllables.
Ms Pelosi might be the best behind the scenes leader possible. But she MUST find a colleague or staff member for such events who makes a better TV appearance and presentation.
2
Obviously, you have not seen many of Mitch McConnell's television appearances.
16
I was thinking the very same thing! Ditto!
4
If we older women aren't irrelevant, why put this article on the Style page? Seems like it should be front & center on the Home page.
17
Maybe these women, but not the rest of the 60+ year old American women, still invisible!
11
"She will also be the oldest person to assume the role, at 66."
^ This age bracket is called Baby Boomer. Why avoid the term?
"There are more women over 50 in this country today than at any other point in history."
^ Because Baby Boomers are the largest U.S. generation.
"Those women are healthier, are working longer and have more income than previous generations."
^ Yes, Baby Boomers are healthier and have more income than any other U.S. generation, including preceding and later generations such as the Silents and Gen-X.
"But the #MeToo movement has toppled some high-profile males."
^ Baby Boomer women were mostly absent from the #MeToo movement and many have been critical of it. Do not claim the #MeToo Movement as a Boomer property. The #MeToo movement was largely Gen-X, Millennials, and Zetas.
"Nearly a third of women aged 65 to 69 are now working, up from 15 percent in the late 1980s."
^ . . . And this is a good thing? I doubt the 69-year-old woman who is still working due to lack of income would agree. You seem to distort facts to fit your article's theory.
6
We are not there yet until women stop relying on Botox and fillers to stay LOOKING young. Or at least be judicious about using them. There is nothing more ridiculous than a 60 year old woman (OR man) with a frozen, plastic face. Be proud of those crow's feet as much as one's intelligence and physical abilities.
17
@Sadie
Thank you
6
@Sadie Seems like a rather contradictory statement. 'Judicious' in using botox?
1
How great is that.
The country has 300 opiode deaths a week, an increasing number of people in poverty, , , no universal health coverage, and an education system in shambles, but hey with have 60+ women who determine the future of our kids....
And I am sure, it is not only rich, white women ....
2
Apparently few Americans ever reach out to our earth elders--our centenarians and supercentenarians. Sixty? That is a child compared to: Kirk Douglas, Norman Lloyd, and Olivia De Havilland--308 years combined--older than our country. Get some perspective on age, please--geez...
3
And roar and roar and roar and...
I got divorced for some peace and quiet.
5
Ruth Bader Ginsberg. enough said.
12
Yes, it is wonderful to see so many women of any age, but maybe especially, older women shine.
It's also wonderful to see a show like The Kominsky Method...I love seeing seniors of either portrayed realistically, with humor and honesty.
9
I wish I could be optimistic. Whenever I see a picture of a tech company office, the so-called future economy, there are never any older women in it.
Seeing is believing.
20
I have always been in love with old things -- the ancient Greeks, for example -- and as a child longed to be an adult, to read adult books and watch adult programs.
Now that I'm 63, I've finally caught up to myself. -- thegamesmenplay.com
1
Just when we need new visions to get beyond the twentieth century culture wars, the left-right political stalemate, and adapt to the new technological reality of the 21st century, we find ourselves being led by a bunch of septuagenarians who haven't had a new idea since 1968. Yes, I prefer Pelosi over Trump, but what I really want is to see the end of both of them. The narcissistic and self-centered Baby Boomers will plague us and hold us back until we finally bury them all. I'm 53, born in 1965. I've been watching this horror show my whole life, both in politics and business. I will never again vote for a politician born before 1960.
5
The problem with all awards in the arts is that they are tainted by politics. Is the winner a product of a of a political issue or because of their work? Sad to say... for me, anyway... nominations and winners are politically driven. And those issues are destroying film after film as political issues such as gender, race and income inequality are awkwardly shoe-horned into stories and casting.
2
I wonder how many more powerful older women there would be if career/accomplishment had been a lifelong expectation of them/for them—if personal fulfillment had been envisioned differently. Glenn Close in her Golden Globe acceptance speech said how her mother felt she had sublimated herself to her husband in their lives together. Close continued, "We have to say ‘I can do that and I should be allowed to do that.’”
What I’d add is that “someone” needs to tell you (needed to have told me back then) that you should have dreams, hopes, desires for yourself—an expectation to “find personal fulfillment.” It’s changed so much since the 50s and 60s…and rightly so…
9
@Jane Deschner
My father did this for me. He encouraged me to have a professional career and to be self-reliant. I am so thankful now.
7
It will indeed be wonderful when these kinds of stories won't need to be written. Virtually no one remarks on the fact that Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw, Bernie Sanders, et. al are still working. Ok, they do remark on Jimmy Carter, but he is in his 90s!
12
From this article:
"In another survey, compiled a few years ago by Newsweek, 84 percent of corporate hiring managers said they believed a “qualified but visibly older” candidate would make some employers hesitate — particularly if those candidates were women."
That was my experience. Covert age discrimination after age 50. Despite a business degree and a law degree from a top 12 law school and a stellar work history.
I am going to save that part of the article and show it to everyone in my life who implied that I did not try hard enough to get a new job after the financial crisis made my skills and experience almost toxic for several years. Meaning: corporation transactional law focused on M&A, secured and unsecured credit facilities, asset-backed automobile securitizations and general corporate transactions.
My experiences starting in 2007? Apply after age 50? Yes, I did. At least 200 jobs......mostly junior to where I had been before because that is all that was being posted or what I found out about through networking. Get even one interview? When there are already thousands of corporate lawyers with just 2-3 years of experience and under 30 years old going after the same jobs? Good luck. And, it won't matter if you are willing to accept a junior position, much lower salary than you earned before, agree to relocate, or even "look" much younger than you are.
And, also won't matter if you have great references. It's age.
25
Exactly what happened to me, after 25 years of practice. I was in my 60s. I started my own small firm and kept looking for a job for over three years, finally found one in another field at 1/4 of my former salary – but the job is good, I enjoy the work and I am happy to be working. What the New York Times really needs to do is focus on age discrimination, particularly as it affects women. These employers – the ones that won’t interview, let alone hire us – are breaking the law. And by the way, I also applied for legal jobs in government, New York State and federal, with the same result. I have a law degree from one of the top schools in the country and many years experience. Maybe everyone thinks we will just die off, and therefore cease to be a problem; but there is another generation coming up behind us – and those who are in it had better recognize that if they don’t do something about age discrimination, they will be next.
10
While power corrupts, women seem to be corrupted less than powerful men. From Trump to Les Moonves to Weinstein to Charlie Rose -- the list of powerful men who felt they were entitled to whatever -- or whomever -- they wanted is long. Women aren't always angels but they are generally better behaved and bring a different perspective. We all lose when we shut out women. The push of men usually benefits from the pull of women. Look at boards that have more women, funds that are led by women -- they outperform.
17
Older women have always run families, been powerless when alone, and given media attention when rich.
11
At 62 I finally earned my BSN. I took a lot of time off in my life to raise kids as that was the expectation of society. I worked as an LPN for 10yrs before finishing my RN degree. It was eye-opening to be in class with all the 20yr. olds and to see the world through their eyes. As a older woman, I had forgotten about the fear in the parking ramps at night and all the harrassment young women are still dealing with. It is freeing not to be thought of as a desirable, sexy young thing. It makes people deal with me as a person, and I love it. It is important as an older woman to stay current and assertive. Call people on their baloney!!!!!
7
@Joanna Hey Joanna! Thanks for this! Similar here and about to start university again to acquire a credential so I can have meaningful part time work into my 60s. At nearly 58 I have friends working in their 60's and early 70's by choice. The others who are 'retired' are what scare me most. Often women of all types, self included, have swallowed these 'identities' that were prescribed for us generations before we were born. I've had professional women reject me after I tried to work again after a sexual harassment case was settled in my 40's. Been criticized for being independent (aka single) Women criticizing other women for looks, life choices and socioeconomic status...Cheers to freedom despite the cost!
3
@Joanna
Unfortunately the sexual harassment continues into older age. My mother was nearly 80 when a much younger male plumber who was in her home to fix leaks offered a huge discount to her if she would service him sexually. She feared she'd be raped (as many older women are when home alone), but she grabbed a wrench and threatened to call the cops, and he backed off. Sigh . . . can't ever let your guard down.
We need more training programs for female plumbers and electricians, jobs for women over 50 that can't be outsourced, providing safer services for elders in their homes.
4
I mean, Pelosi was over 60 during her first term as speaker. So they haven't always been "invisible." Two, I take it you're not Italian, where you don't get real power in the family until you hit 70.
5
When I was 43, I interviewed for a low-paying job in the ski industry, just to be there. The 20-something male manager told me I was well qualified and “you look fine, but we already have an older woman.” He then made a pass (remember those?). I laughed in his face.
11
The fact that this article even had to be written is a pretty sad commentary. Why should it even be a thing that women of any age are doing stuff? Well of course it is, and that is what is too bad. We still have a long way to go when Glenn Close's age is the biggest part of the story about her Golden Globe win.
10
"long invisible or shunted aside" Humm, Pelsoi & Close have been very visible for a long time. Using them as intro's to this very valid story seems misguided.
6
Reset your mind and your heart, your soul and your body will follow. And along the way you will laugh completely and find that utter amazement you once felt for yourself.
I surf, I sail with complete and total abandon. Age is not required.
1
“It seems that older women, long invisible or shunted aside, are experiencing an unfamiliar sensation: power.” The word “seems” is the necessary qualifier for this unsound argument based on the anecdotes of a few, powerful, outlier women.
5
The thing I like best about this trend is that the older women look, well, older. Used to be the only thing that was worth remarking on was how young an older woman looked. There is hope that the feminine equivalent of Warren Buffet will be common some day. Yahoo!
6
I had the great fortune to have a mother that chose to have a career. She had a high school education (her parents couldn't afford college for her and her siblings) and yet she became a manager at Blue Cross in Wisconsin. This was back in the 1960's. She worked because she wanted to. My father never discouraged her from working. She retired from her job when she was in her 60's and found retirement boring and went back to work part time. The one thing of many things she taught me is that if you want something, go for it and don't let anyone try to talk you out of it. She encouraged me to move to NYC because she believed that living in Wisconsin would be a dead end for me. I know my story is purely "anecdotal" but I felt the need to share it after reading this article.
8
Here we go again. Just like the "how is this job going to affect your kids" question— never posed to men — are we going to start asking only women about how their age will affect heir job?
Here's a piece of advice: don't.
6
I wonder if ageism is an American or a Western phenomenon. Many societies cherish and revere their elders, both men and women.
11
unless and until women's value, potential and inherent capability completely ceases to be fundamentally tied to their biological clock, their physical appearance and the "man previously in the post", we will never clear the hurdle of society's ill-gotten assumptions, held by imbedded religious, political and cultural hierarchies that continues to message to women and men of all ages; even the holding up of a few and referencing them as outliers and examples of such progress since #metoo is a gross insult to women everywhere
5
@Marianne Hanley Yes, some of these beliefs may be based in religious beliefs and/or historically patriarchal/sexist values. But it's also a matter of 'which comes first...the chicken or the egg?' In this day and age, can we 'powerful, mature' women really continue to say and believe that it's the powers that be who are holding us back, or are we holding ourselves back? How much of the negative messaging comes from external sources, and how much from internal? What's the expression....'people will treat you as you allow them'? American women lament about 'looking old'. They say they are 'invisible'. They figure 'why bother trying anymore'. They have defeatist attitudes. Are angry. Why on earth would anyone find that appealing, or want to be around such a person? Yeah, life ain't fair, and plenty of people in the world know that only too well.... and on a far more intimate, cruel level than formerly attractive/young women who pine for the days they got 'special attention' from the world.
Either you believe you should shrivel up and fade into the background, or not. ;-)
1
If this article is a step away from your misogynistic treatment of Hillary Clinton in 2016 or Nancy Pelosi this fall, I'm all for it. It is clearly time to reconsider women and their place in society.
Society is best served when women take positions of power and act like women. When we follow the unique aspects of our beings, we bring cooperation, compassion, and diligence to the tasks at hand. That is something the whole world needs as we adjust to the demands of a global society.
9
As a former writer in a Style-type section of a newspaper, I think that Style-type sections are the right places for human-interest stories like this one -- stories taking historical note of developments in various forms of groupism. This round-up of news items around a particular theme isn't itself "news" or even an Op-Ed since there isn't really an opinion expressed.
2
@TODD Katz
Not really. It is about older women in power. Political and economic positions that can reshape cultural attitudes about ageism and feminism in the US.
Other countries have been light years ahead of this "new" development in the US: Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi, Angela Merkel, Vigdís Finnbogadottir, Margaret Thatcher, etc. Not to mention the empire leaders Queen Elizabeths I and II and Queen Victoria. So yes, this is "news" for the US.
When the NY Times finally has a female editor (like Katherine Graham of the Washington Post) this kind of "think piece" will appear first in the Politics or Business news section.
3
When my mother became a NYC school kindergarten teacher at age 50, I was curious how long she would last. That was in 1970. She taught until she was 77! And then had ten very active years volunteering at The Tenement Museum.
11
Loved this article - probably because it talks about my experience. I am a professional woman who tried to retire, (and had the resources to do so), but thought I would go crazy hanging around the house and stuffing envelops for some charity. We are too valuable to volunteer at nothing jobs - and besides it is boring. Like so many of my sisters, at 70 I am working part-time and raising money for a charity whose board I serve on. My life is full and busy. My health excellent. My work continues to challenge me, and I feel respected by those I work with.
I enjoy not having to worry about going up the career ladder or having something to prove,! I am aware,however, that there are many women my age and older working in fast-food or at Wal-Mart because they must. This will be a growing problem that those of us who have the backgrounds and education need to champion!
11
In one of my "female friendship groups"--we call it our "card club" but never play cards--ha!--we have an age spread from 75 to 30...and those of us in the middle--in our 40's and 50's, who initially formed this group--are SO glad we asked three of the "older" ladies--now in their late sixties and early seventies to be part of our clique. We're all teachers, or former teachers, and these older gals are by far among the most wise, vibrant, interesting and accomplished women I know. I am so lucky to count them as my friends. Kudos to older women! It's about time! And it makes me move forward in my life with renewed purpose and energy, knowing that the best is yet to come! Gotta love that.
9
NYTimes, again, why is this in the Style section? Until your your own view of women is updated and reflected in these editorial choices, how can we expect more universal changes?
87
@SMH Thank you for the comment. We hear your concern. Here's a Q&A we did with our Styles editor, Choire Sicha, on the section and how the department chooses what to publish. Hopefully this will give you more insight into the desk's thinking. Choire wrote: "We will aggressively cover politics, gender, sexuality, health, crime, shoes and contouring. These things make change in the world." You can read more about Style's driving ideas here: https://nyti.ms/2z6OFbm
4
@Aidan Gardiner I'm in accord with @SMH and the reader who asked the question that Choire Sicha tried to answer. Consider that the navigation in the Style section starts with FASHION, WEDDINGS and SELF-CARE. Then the next major sub-sections include Modern Love, Vows, The Look, Self Care, Skin Deep, Up Next, Surfacing, The Cycle and Scene City. None of the above would seem to fit an article like "I Am (and Older) Woman. Hear Me Roar." Perhaps Style (or Styles) should be what it sounds like, and articles of greater importance deserve a more apt section name.
18
@Aidan Gardiner
Would an article about older men as a group appear in the Style section?
25
Comparing the experiences of everyday people with standouts is false and misleading. Most people will never be CEOs or stars. They will live their lives and do their jobs, hopefully with diligence and integrity, but most will not rise to become even second-level managers or directors.
Maybe the real problem in our culture is that we revere the stars and standouts, and discount the experiences of most people. If you're not a leader or a star, you'e an also-ran, relegated to second-class status and second-class compensation.
This is a cultural flaw that can keep us all struggling to get something that only a few of us can have. As such, it serves the corporate power structure more than it serves anyone else.
20
I did notice that I became pretty much invisible in public when I hit about 40 and that's become more apparent as time as gone by. I came of age when women were expected to stay home, but I went out there and did things that were supposed to be impossible for women - but I did them young. Lucky timing had me teaching at a community college in my 50s and early 60s, which I found exhausting after awhile and I retired - but I was delighted to get such a great job at age 50. That never would have happened in the 60s, 70s, 80s. I'm not fond of being invisible because it's harder to get help at the store, for instance. But nobody whistles at me or makes annoying comments about my appearance or tells me to smile anymore, either. So, there's that!
13
Ageism is not only an issue for women, but part of our cultural zeitgeist and politics. How many times have we heard “old” associated with Republicans and the need for “fresh faces” in the Democratic Party ? Leadership requires judgement and experience as well as innovation in any field, and without being partisan, cataloguing one’s angst over finding their apartment hardly inspires confidence.
4
That Susan Zirinsky, age 66, was asked how her age would impact her job is one symptom of ageism as it especially affects women. The implication might be that the impact is negative. Hearings are about to start for attorney general nominee William Barr. He will be 69 this May. Do you think he will be asked about the effect of his age on his job? Undoubtedly not.
35
In many fields it is just as difficult for men over 55 to secure employment. Ageism in our youth oriented culture continues to be a problem and many companies openly display their discriminatory policies aimed at we older people without fear of repercussion.
16
@Steve
This was my husband’s fear at age 50 when the company he worked for went through a merger. Fortunately, he was offered a new position while others his age were fired. A lucky few were offered buyouts. Life would be much different now if he hadn’t survived the merger.
6
Yet government policy as passed by Congress is to keep pushing up the age to qualify or full SS benefits. If public policy is to keep people working longer, we also need to incentivize companies to hire older workers
8
I am 56 and I am a man and I don’t feel my age. But this is not about me. My mother is 85 and I rely on her for solid advice on family and business. And at 85 she wants to travel the world. We have two trips planned for her to Mexico and Zambia and she can’t wait. She cooks up a storm for anybody who visits us and doles out advice to family flung wide to whoever wants it at any time of the day. She still wants to start another business with new ideas cooked up every other day. She tends to her garden and does daily prayers starting at 6am. Do you think she feels her age? I don’t think so.
34
Love this post. The "healthy old old" are an inspiration, although unusual.
13
i love it! Both my parents were pretty much done for by 75. it was a shame.
4
@Victor
Yes! My mother is 84 and feels insulted when people treat her like “an old lady”. She says, “inside I still feel young.”
7
We lose with age any of the following in whole or in part depending on our DNA and exposure: fine motor movement, sense of thirst, clear vision particularly at night, short term memory, respiratory capacity, clear blood vessels, etc. To accept the changes whatever one's gender with equanimity and without plastic surgery to me is growing old gracefully. Age is not just a number and retirement is good for the soul in my view. To measure ourselves by our performance as we get elderly is a self destructive venture from my perspective. A 73 year old retiree.
15
Government policy as passed by Congress is to keep pushing up the age to qualify for full SS benefits. Retirement is a wonderful idea but many need full SS benefits to do so.
8
More seriously than the shoplifting example, I often joke that the CIA should be recruiting older women, because nobody would even see them!
74
“ We no longer take Medicare patients”. “We don’t offer part time jobs”. And my favorite- clerks in every store calling me “honey” “dear” “sweetie”. Ageism is alive and well out here. Forget road rage- I struggle to contain checkout rage.
102
@Jo Williams
I hear you. The last boy who called me “dearie” got an earful. Now I correct them, especially when I hear them call the men my age and older sir. Galling!
As a retired nurse I despise it when medical office staff call me dearie or sweetie. It’s an ongoing battle to correct them. One even told me it was a HIPAA thing. No it’s not. I never addressed a patient like that. It’s plain old disrespectful.
18
@Jo Williams I note you live in Oregon. In the south where I live, everyone is called "dear", "sweetie", etc. Even the men! These terms are also cultural.
5
Nice article and good news. As is typical and understandable, the focus of the piece, the reference points, are women in highly visible positions in specialized industries. their success, still highly disproportionate in their own industries, is a powerful step forward. Too often, after only a few visible successes for women, we quickly hear voices claiming “problem solved.” The plight of middle class women over 55 remains dire and desperate. we should refrain from celebrating the elite too much lest the pain and struggle of those still invisible is neglected.
47
@Katherine Owen
This is the only comment that resonates with me. The 5% to 10% are well connected to other well connected people. They get and keep their jobs by traveling in these circles. The commenter in Florida who has three part-time jobs is more typical of an aging single woman in the U.S.
10
Age is a state of mind, you’ll become old if you think of yourself as old. The most impotant thing is to look after your health, both body and mind, respect the vessel of your soul. Ignore the cultural myths of age, they are someone else’s idea. And Sex? If your healthy, Fastastic organisms are yours for the asking.
5
Interesting you have trouble spelling the words in your sentence about the joys of elderly sex. Even great spellers begin to lose their edge as the brain becomes elderly. I will have loses as a 73 year old and will adjust as I am able. Age is not just a number as you show in your comment.
5
Ladies - please some marginalizing yourselves and claiming "woe is me"... You have more absolute power in the history of our nation and will be running this country in 50 years. Hopefully it will be a better place!
7
Max, did you read the article? It’s about older women. Whoever is “running the country in 50 years” is a bit irrelevant, and cold comfort to the many older women who are considered unemployable just because of their sex and age.
5
Irrelevant no more? Invisible - fie! Iread this article with such satisfaction. Twenty years ago, I traveled a distance to meet my first born grandchild. As I was “shlepping” bags filled with onesies, baby books, toys through the lobby of the apartment building, I caught myself in the large mirror. A small woman, in jeans, sneakers, a baggy sweater laden with stuff, I gasped. I’m OLD, I’m AARP! I was 59. My husband, walking ahead of me, was focused only on maneuvering the wooden rocking chair we’d brought for our daughter in law. He was 68. In the sixteen very full working and playing years that followed until he died, he never obsessed about the inevitable aging, he just lived! As did I, his partner in all things, except that I was remarked on for my “energy”, or how I could not possibly be as “old” as I was and (thank God) continue to be. I chafe at having my “age” be a constant source of astonishment - especially as I continue not just to work but, most of all, to go out dancing. We danced with great joy through our long life together, and I still do - although I have to get over the self consciousness that I’m likely the oldest woman on the floor and people stare. When I was in college, so long ago, there was a cartoon of a young woman dancing and dreaming: “to dance is to live, to live is to dance”. I hung it up on my wall and made it my mantra. Still is. At seventy nine.
491
@Marjory I had a snoppy poster given to me by an aunt that said the same thing. I have always taken dancing to be essential to life. And yes, it is discouraging for people to tell you how fit you look when they finally get around to asking your age! I hope I am fit and agile throughout my life!
6
@stefanie. Stefanie, I remember the Snoopy Poster, mine was by Jules Feiffer but I think “Snoopy” borrowed it. I must tell you that I was in Santa Fe on my 50th birthday! All I wanted to do was DANCE, it was a Monday night so there was nothing going on in clubs and such, but then my husband and I found a huge hall that was open for anyone to come dance (DJ music). I was ecstatic! (I was from Massachusetts, to be dancing in “exotic” Santa Fe was an epiphany!
6
@Marjory Yes, you may be the oldest on the dance floor, and yes, people may notice. But 'stare'? That seems to be your own projecting. Perhaps they are quietly 'thanking you', for your mere presence is giving them and others the 'permission' to do and be the same in their later years.
I've heard far too many people of a certain age say that they are 'too old' to do this or that, and often it has nothing to do with physical limitations....it's simply that they feel 'sheepish' or self-conscious, because no one else there age will be that. Which, of course, becomes self-fulfilling.
Someone has to be the bold one, and take that first step. And then others will follow. You have taken that step and are helping to remove the stigma of 'age-appropriate' behavior. What on earth could be wrong with anyone simply dancing? Unless you were referring to pole dancing?? ;-)
8
Ridiculous article. The firing of the men from me too has created these opportunities. Ridiculous statement from the author. No it’s these woman are qualified to do the work. In a for profit company they pick the best person and if the older woman is the best person to increase returns they are desired to run the enterprise. Me too did not make the space. Capital is not racist, if the best person to raise revenues and cut expenses is a woaman, than GREED IS GOOD for older women.
3
This article, or rather the climate it describes, is long overdue. Now let’s work on getting it out of the “Style” section of the New York Times and into, I don’t know, maybe “Business”?
94
The article was on the front page, bottom right.
3
Nancy Pelosi is not over sixty. She is pushing eighty. Merrily swatting away ambitious youth. Along with the likes of fellow painted grande dames Diane Feinstein and Carolyn Maloney it is long past time to go.
11
@Edwin Please add the men in this category. I fully agree with your swatting away the younger folks. They have all had plenty of chances to sort "stuff" out over the many years they have spent as elected officials. The place where we find ourselves today did not occur overnight. Plenty of responsibility to go around. Time for new folks,young or old.
6
@Edwin
Question, why aren’t Mitch McConnell, 76 and Chuck Grassley, 85 on your too old to be relevant list? Is it because they have male DNA?
Calling women of any age “painted grande dames” is insulting. It’s a euphemism for “painted ladies” which historically referres to prostitutes.
11
@Edwin
If you had added "merely" or "only" to your first sentence it would have been true. You need to work a little harder, young Edwin.
3
Why is this even a discussion?? We haven't moved passed these biases??
3
Are you kidding? We haven’t begun to address these biases for most older women.
9
This headline is just one more example of society determined to refer to any women over 50 or so as “older women?” I never hear men over 50 referred to as “older” men. The same with the phrase “women of a certain age.” Not a description used for “older” men. I guess it’s the same reason men marry women 25 yrs younger and no one bats an eye yet, the president of France is married to a woman 24 years older and people make a stink about it. We are all women no matter our age. Hey Times, how about the headline “We are Women. Hear us ALL roar.”
38
Hiring managers, wake up. Women over 50 can be very effective, productive contributors. Fact is, men over 50 can be too. Don't let algorithms dictate that anyone over 32 shouldn't be considered. And don't let inexperienced HR folks allow that approach to flourish either.
You're missing out on real talent. The loss is yours.
58
Um -- older women are working because THEY HAVE TO! It's not always (or probably even often) for the love of their job (since most aren't Glen Close or Nancy Pelosi). It is because everything costs so much and traditional pensions don't exist and many women are on their own.
60
It is only stupid people who feel that age is an issue. It is only heartless individual's who just live to hate. Currently this country has a majority of old white men who are neither pro Democracy or care about anyone else other than themselves. We see them at every press conferences and once they destroy democracy they get into word smiting. We can only pray that team women of all ages, ethics groups, different experiences stand up and save this wonderful country from destruction. The majority of women listen, not all. We have a few bad women who only care about themselves for example Facebook queen, certain politicians and whatever pet cause they support for example education director who doesn't know education or care to know it.
Our lives are short but we want the quality of true Democracy to last for future generations. Many men have done an outstanding job of destroying the planet for corporate greed and the tide needs to be reversed sooner than later.
7
Ashton Applewhite writes in her wonderful book, “The Chair that Rocks”, that ageism is prejudice against our future selves.
If we’re lucky, we will live long enough to grow old. What’s the alternative? Anyway, nobody ever gets to be a certain age any longer than anyone else.
Think how much you’ve learned and grown in each decade of your life and imagine how much more you’ll develop in your next few decades. There’s so much we can learn from those who’ve experienced life for a while if we listen.
23
The overemphasis on what happens in Hollywood always baffles me. This article spent more time celebrating someone getting an award for best-make-believe than it spent on Nancy Pelosi’s considerable skills.
Hollywood will always reflect the age preferences of the opposite sex. Women like men their age until 40, men like women under 23 regardless of their own age (https://jezebel.com/mens-favorite-ages-are-20-21-22-and-23-a-data-dive-1731660984). A liberal group of Hollywood voters making an award choice means nothing. Pelosi’s accomplishments are real.
10
I was raised by a artist/feminist in the 1960s. My mother insisted that I work and be independent from an early age. Of course like others of my generation I railed against my parents and their non stop rhetoric not because it wasn't true but because I didn't want anyone telling me how to live my life Now I am 67, my mom passed away when I was 23, and I wish she would have lived long enough to see the changes these early feminists brought. By the way, I am a software developer with a masters in computer science, the oldest in my department and on the weekends play in a rock and roll band....
26
Fantastic and also misleading. Age discrimination is still a huge problem for women and men in the average workplace, and I am a little uncomfortable with Glenn Close, et al, being seen as a sign of changing times. On the other hand, I am thrilled for these magnificent women.
22
Um, the world is filled with powerful "older" women and we know we exist even if others don't, so it's funny to see an article, even a well-intentioned article, noting this as if it's somehow novel ("Older women are *now* saying, 'I'm still vibrant'"? Only now? Really?) Some of us teach in universities (like I do), write (like I do), give back (like I do) and have sex (like I do). Others run businesses, conduct research, and practice law. It's because of our youth and beauty-obsessed culture that women over a certain age become invisible. Here's a more important point: we make less money than men at the same time that we live longer, so the concrete way in which we are marginalized is by insufficient resources to sustain us as we age. That's what's *not* novel.
51
Ageism is certainly not limited to women. The 99.9% of men who are not corporate CEOs or Hollywood leading men also have to contend with it.
Far too many young people in our society will rant endlessly about the evils of racism, sexism or using a definitive gender pronoun-- but want to have nothing to do with anyone over 50.
27
No surprise that so many of the so called Boomers are finally coming into their own. The wealth of talent and experience available is just beginning to be tapped. As one generation older, I applaud them. Some of us did not have the fight and fortitude to be a RBG but are seeing it in our daughters. Never go backward!
12
Worth noting Susan Collins of Maine voted for Kavanaugh, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska pushed for the opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. Obviously over-sixty women aren't all the sainted stewards of human rights and the planet after all. Who knows, maybe men might still have something to offer on issues before they're all shamed and removed from public life completely.
15
Please do let me know when this trend hits banking and investment banking. Lower Manhattan is sadly lacking in women over 60, especially in IT.
26
@M E R Several years ago I attended an event at the OCC in Washington. I almost wept to see that all the senior managers on the panel were women over 50.
The difference is, under civil service rules, they can't run you off just because you're considered old and unattractive.
In private industry, one way or another, they get rid of you when they no longer enjoy the look of your behind as you walk past them!
*
9
I've noticed that older women seem to seek each other out in many situations. It's like we all belong to a special club and we like to acknowledge each other and the specialness of the club.
The problem with this is that unless we all band together and change things, our daughters and their daughters will have to deal with the very same "club" issues we're all dealing with now.
I've had enough of being marginalized, condescended to, and patronized in the most egregious of ways. It doesn't take a strong woman to change things. It merely takes "a" woman to change things.
It's time to obliterate the old stereotypes and institute some new policies. And, we're the women who are going to accomplish this, once and for all.
Sexism, ageism and misogyny are on the way out.
17
Why not ?
President trump is almost 73 but is losing his marbles and rambles constantly.
These fresh newly elected women mind have a clear mind and articulate and let`s go with that.
11
As a Wisconsinite, I must add a little info here.
Donna Shalala is hardly a “little old lady” - not that the article has alluded that.
She has a doctorate degree, was the UW Chancellor, she served as a US Secretary of Health and Human Services. She has had many other prestigious positions and was awarded for many accomplishments, locally and nationally. She serves and has served on many boards and has oversight in many roles.
Donna Shalala is an extremely well qualified and experienced Representative to serve our country’s Congress. How fortunate we are to have her. 78? Big deal! She’s going strong. She might be little, but don’t think that means anything in the stance of the service she can provide.
Gone are the days when young people snub their noses at us older women. Personally, as a healthcare provider of decades. I serve on several boards and commissions. I do feel respected and do feel my input is important.
I think part of this is while admitting we surely don’t know some and a lot of things young women may know, let us never give up on ourselves because we need to scroll so far for the year of our birth! If we respect ourselves, we are fine.
It may be difficult to find our way fitting in, not to be a know it all, but truly wanting to have healthy input, valuable for all, is helpful. And let us never forget to have good humor appropriately when needed. No one, no matter the age, likes an old sour puss! We are better than that, much better.
13
This story is not about older women, it is about older women who have liberal or “progressive” views. If Glenn Close had preached a conservative message at the Golden Globes, she would have been booed and left out of this “aren’t older (progressive) women wonderful” piece.
4
I think it’s time for those 55 year old male actors to wake up and insist upon age appropriate acting partners. Come on guys. Find your voices!
13
@Mary M Is it those actors fault if younger women are sometimes attracted to older men of wealth and style, and the stage and screen merely reflect those aspects of society?
As I welcome this "trend", I wonder if some of it is because many men in the public eye have been so immature and exhausting, beginning with our President. Nothing like a grandmother to whip them into shape. I hope.
19
Excellent It makes sense to keep high-quality workers as long as possible.
And it spurs me to tell anyone in a service position that calling me “hon” or “dear” is inappropriate, condescending and makes them sound unprofessional.
4
Through young eyes, only public power, corporate advancement, leadership and “visibility” seem to matter. In fact, for many women and men, being free of the rat race and nonsense is a great relief. There are infinite ways to contribute without needing applause. Time is a great gift, especially when you see how little of it you actually have.
9
Older women are powerful,they have always been powerful and they will continue to be because they have the experience of life. They do not need to be told they are or are not powerful. They are, and they will continue to be.
Older females are also powerful in the animal world.They generally live longer and become the wise leaders. It is a fact of life.
11
gosh...this just seems so old news. Yes I am almost 70, still working, camping, hiking and ready for new adventures. But yes, when you are no longer a babe, older men in particular, as a rule, are dismissive. maybe if I were rich it would help! Anyway, it's their loss. I am too busy to worry about their slights.
14
This is good news. But go back and read the linked article from 2016. Whatever happened to those unemployed women?
8
Exactly. I, too, would appreciate a follow-up.
5
Wish I could paint as rosy a picture as other commentors. Like many (women, single, creatives, older.....) I lost everything in the recession - home, savings, profession, dignity. I took any job available to 'older' women....some more miserable than others. I have been with my current 'main' part time job ten years with no benefits, no healthcare, no social security, no raises, etc. I work two other part time jobs and grab desparately at anything else that pays a buck and I am the sole caretaker for both elderly parents. I still can't make ends meet and struggle daily to pay my bills. Although I am highly educated and very accomplished, I've been hung up on during phone interviews when they do the math and figure my age, ignored when volunteering and told by 30 something female headhunters that I have no 'real' market value in the workplace. Barring an unexpected windfall, I will have to work until I drop dead. It is a miserable, joyless, exhausting life and not the one I expected or deserved. And sadly, it is much more common for older women than acknowledged. As far as attitudes changing and providing me and others like me with the financial, physical and emotional security I deserve, I'm not holding my breathe. Just look at the number of comments here compared to other NYT articles.......
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@LisaG,
I am sorry, I'm afraid the reality for most middle-aged women is closer to yours than the women in this article. The bounty always goes to the most privileged first.
It helps to have been well-educated, with assets, networks, etc. I do not ever apply to a job where I do not know the hiring manager or not been introduced by a colleague who vouches for me- and still it is hard. It is also helpful to have some skill or service product where you can work for yourself if you have to.
53
@LisaG FWIW, you write beautifully. Thanks for telling your honest, brutal story. I hope you can find other venues to expand on it and tell it to more people. Your voice and perspective are important!
52
@LisaG- What rings very true to me is a 30 year old female headhunter who thinks she is part of the female revolution but acts as a wall to real progress. I have tiptoed around these young women who generally don't have children or just had a baby or has a 3 year-old sitting in the company day care- and I can tell a strange tension starts between us even if I do get hired. I wish they could see that their bias towards women and their odd treatment and questions in interviews is very un-#metoo and will hurt their own future selves. It just seems that on a day to day level these women seem more comfortable being the curator of young men hires rather than managing or seeing that their own lives as female mothers (BOOM- the third rail- thank you Glenn Close!) Mothers lives indeed are complicated and yes- do not add up to a pure professional existence on this Earth but when kids are raised, older women should be given in-roads into the workplace because the hybrid of professional and life knowledge and empathy that they can bring is miles in the air above anything else... and we are learning that tech and one generational one-mindedness has not solved the problems of the world.
55
At 62, I feel quite powerful, but I have definitely noticed the change in how I am perceived. It was the most noticeable when I let my hair go naturally to grey. There was a shift when I walked in a room or store of not being noticed. I took it as a personal challenge to “rock” the grey hair and do my part to be present and powerful. Why shouldn’t women have their natural hair color? But the scientist in me sometimes tries to observe the human behaviors. Gender, weight, skin and hair color, height, age all see to be at play. There is a different experience of walking into a meeting as a young blonde thin female vs the old grey heavier female.
There is definitely a culture twist to this. I lived and worked in Mexico for a few years where there were cultural differences there related to my age and gender. There seemed to be more respect for older people in general society. White prívalege was clearly evident, but I perceived less respect professionally as a female. So many older people were forced to leave the workplace that it was often hard to find working women my age to relate to or observe.
I am curious what happens in other cultures.
13
Love this article, thank you! I can attest to the demographic that women over 50 are having the hardest time finding employment. I work as part- time consultant, no benefits and my hours have recently been cut! I am seeking a full time position. I have 30 years of experience in my field and a lot of additional post masters education, plus excellent references. It has taken 6 months to start to land interviews! It has been so frustrating! Many of us have so much to offer, plus an old school work ethic to boot!
16
My husband as a retiree audits classes at a local college. A young lady in his class stated that no one over the age of 65 — DH is 66 — should be allowed to vote or take part in government. I was gobsmacked!
If the traditional college students of today succeed in accomplishing this, what’s next? Issuing every retiree a cyanide pill with our first social security check? If they don’t manage to cut it and Medicare completely. It seems each successive generation to mine has become more and more disrespectful of previous generations. While we honored and cared for those older than us and viewed them as still vital and worthy of respect and support, they see older generations as nonessential and a burden.
I’m 58 and still consider my life full and vital. My first career as a nurse was rewarding but confined by necessary rules, regs, and procedures. Now I’m learning new skills that will serve me in a second career. A career where I can utilize my life experience and make functional wearable art — maybe using anatomical imagery. Age brings wisdom and growth. I’m more willing to tear down walls and push the limits more now than at any time in my life. No rules. No mistakes. All opportunities.
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@BMUS well said. I often feel though that we baby-boomers have only ourselves to blame for that lack of respect. Many have focussed, to their detriment, on trying to be friends with their kids and relating to them on their own level. Personally, I have never tolerated disrespect from my own 2 kids and am very proud of the respect they generally show to older people. When they don’t, they are wise enough to hold their tongues. Broadly speaking however, the general disrespect is a manifestation of when children are not taught good manners.
6
@BMUS
What is it that led you to make the leap from the statement of one particularly foolish college student's having said :" No one over 65 should be allowed to vote or to take part in government, " to the belief that this is a commonly held belief by traditional college students ?
I know plenty of fine young people who are respectful of adults. As a displaced Sandy refugee who had been taken in by close friends, I was surprised to hear my friends' twin teenage boys thank their mother for doing their laundry. When I expressed my surprise, my friend's husband said : "My parents are European. They taught us to thank them, and we taught our children to thank us." Somehow, his parents had managed to figure out how to raised children properly while having lost their own parents to the gas chambers, and having spent their youth in Aushwitz.
Those children are more well mannered that most adults I know.
It is the fault of PARENTS if children are disrespectful, not the fault of the children. Too many parents are afraid to be parents to their children, and think they and their children can be friends, Those who encourage this fail their children. Children need their parents to parent.
4
@Kay Lynch
Of course it is the parents who are to blame when children are not well- mannered .Whose fault could it be ?
2
It took me a long time to “come into my own” as I resisted the traditional female roles of nurse, teacher, secretary and went into business in the 80s. Never felt fulfilled there and left that to stay home and raise our children. Became a nurse at 44 and a nurse practitioner at 54 and love my work. Have no interest in retirement and loved this headline on an otherwise bad news day and the allusion to the wonderful anthem sung by Helen Reddy.
I also know plenty of older women who are struggling to survive after divorces and layoffs later in life. They end up with minimum wage part time work and trips to the local food pantry to make ends meet. So, we still have a long way to go, but “look how much we’ve learned!”
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@Gruezi I went back to school to become a nurse and then a nurse practitioner at ages a little older than you were, and I know what you mean. I am now getting a second NP certification in my 60s. Sometimes, it feels like insanity going back to school at my age, but most of the time I just love it. You and I have a lot to offer our patients!
27
@Gruezi @JenD
Nursing has long been a promising second career for some. My class was mostly young women, like myself, but there were several newly divorced middle-aged women some with children, and two men. Nursing programs back then (40 years ago for me) were all full time traditional face to face. Half the women my age and one guy dropped/flunked out during the first semester. All the “older” women persisted and made it through. They were an inspiration to me and my friends. While I worked PT as a phlebotomist, hardly a taxing job, while going to school they were working FT and/or raising children, and going to school FT. How they managed I’ll never know. Now I’m a retired OR RNFA setting my creative side free. I look forward to roaring and soaring for several more decades. Georgia O’Keefe got better with age, why can’t I?
17
I was lucky to land a 'capstone' job at 65. However, from age 50 on, I worried constantly that if I became unemployed I would certainly have to take pay cuts, less responsible positions if I could find anything at all. The capstone job took me to a new city and a new environment. After three years of observing myself and other older managers, I decided to quit and mostly retire. I did not want to die working, and working into one's late 60's and beyond shortens the available years of (hopefully) good health and energy for all the travel and pursuits put aside in the many decades of career-building, mothering and supporting others. I was fortunate to have saved and saved and to receive a small inheritance from my parents, though it would have been much better financially to have worked a few more years. Women of my age were raised in a more thrifty time, have lived as poor students, and I find those times provide helpful experiences to draw on at this juncture. It has been challenging to move from being pulled through life by demands of work and home to having the opportunity to push forward based on interests and opportunities. I would just remind others to be sure not to die working, unless that is your true and sole passion. To experience yourself as your own self is a surprising and worthwhile endeavor, even if you are old!
191
@Nancy . Very well said. Having the freedom to choose is a gift, though it can come with a cost. I, too, did not see that my demanding full time job was sufficiently satisfying to give up my remaining opportunities to choose how to spend my day. Your pull-push metaphor is a good one.
27
@Nancy I plan to retire at the end of 2019. I will be 69 then. I have lived through the abrupt illness and death of several peers who were continuing to work into their 70s and 80s. I love my work but am growing tired and feel some days that I don't have the patience for the aggravations. I stayed home with three children in the 70s, then went back and got an MSW. I have worked for 26 years with that education going to law school along the way. My education and subsequent work have brought me great satisfaction and I was lucky to choose two careers that are in demand in our world. My interest is what drives me, always has been, and always will be. I hope to find avenues to continue to contribute. I hear my life in some of the other replies here. In my youth I was a poor student and developed coping skills that I hope serve me well when I retire. Life is a challenge and a journey. I feel happy for those who are finding their way successfully and compassion for those who are struggling. I think we all need to remember that we have so much to offer and be grateful for that.
15
@Nancy
The honest truth is that your value as a worker probably peaked in your 40s; that's the case for most of us. Energy levels go down and skills atrophy and decay, as does the ability and desire to learn new things. The presumption that with seniority people should get paid more is a big reason for employers to avoid older people. Be realistic about your economic value.
3
Those of us who were young girls of the post Vietnam/60’s period traveled varied paths- sometimes in parallel or linear. Perhaps we had more choices than our mothers and with more promise, depending on your perspective. But it has never been easy and that makes our collective progress that more valuable. I have no regrets for any of the choices or sacrifices made. Negative experience has been as valuable as the positive success. And somewhere along the way a wisdom appeared that having it all means balance and ratio. I have had many mentors and helpers, intentional or not, l am grateful for all of the them.
I hope that our daughters, and sons, see that effort, commitment, curiosity, combined with talent and energy carry the day. Hope as well that they will emphasize shared humanity over the often hyped competition of gender which has hampered too many. To ignore the many ‘no’s’ that appear- go over it, around it, or through. Focus on the ‘yes’ and potential of it all, grit your teeth and move past your fear.
As for our future? It’s wide open to our experience and perspectives. It’s about approach and intent. Like Jane Fonda once wrote, it’s our third act, and there’s lot more coming. So watch us, join us, laugh and work with us. It you can’t or don’t want to be part of the fun, then be polite and get out of our path. It’s going to be great stuff!!
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@Karen... Excellent! I wish you were running for President.... or anything. Thank you.
22
@Karen I love the positivity of your letter. Thank you. But there’s a tsunami of impoverished single old women that’s coming home to roost only a few years out. It’s going to be a national disgrace. Sad!
8
@Karen- Yup!!!
1
Unfortunately, many older women are still working because they must. I have an acquaintance who at 75 continues to work in order to support herself. While in her early 60’s, she was laid off, two months after her health insurance ran out she was diagnosed with breast cancer, lost all of her savings, and had to start over. Her story isn’t unique; there far too many older people who have fallen through the cracks.
I am grateful to be in my 70’s, financially secure, active, and able to choose to volunteer in my community. I am delighted that Crones are finally being recognized for their strengths and not just their wrinkles.
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Im 61 and early on, at 24, decided, together with my husband, that he would work and I would be a stay at home mom. Over the years we moved 15 times because of his career. I was a volunteer everywhere we went, sometimes when we lived in the US, I had a part time job for a few years. At one time I had my own medical billing service but had to leave that when we had to move overseas. I don’t regret not having had a great career, I was the one holding our family together while my husband traveled over 50% of the time. Our two children have grown up to be amazing individuals and now I enjoy our two grandchildren. I still volunteer, I don’t know how to say no, working on that. So yes, it’s great to have a career but being your family’s anchor is a good thing too.
189
I have worked without stopping since age 16. I have been my family anchor and an active volunteer. Careful not to break your arm patting your back for putting family first. Most working women have done that also. We just did it in our pumps and faster, as ginger rogers famously said.
49
@Blanco Moving so often makes it so much harder to guide children and care of a 'home.' My dad was in the FBI and we moved several times (until he quit). The FBI wives said two moves was as good as a fire, as long as precious belongings were concerned. It was a little easier for her because we were quite young, but I understand that moving children once they're in upper grade school or higher is very disruptive and difficult. A spouse can't really hold a job when following someone else all over the place. Kudos to you for volunteering. To me, that's harder than working for money.
I have moved a lot, but had no family to consider, so my experience is completely different!
18
@karen
Karen, Here's the problem : you are saying that a full time parent is less than a " working " parent. Raising and running a family is full time work. Let's try and get out of that comparison business and support all women for whatever choices they made. Only then will we progress.
36
At 66, I am just getting going. A few years agao I started a small non-profit that builds upon my career in museum research and things could not be more exciting. I am just back from a drone survey in Laos (designed and conducted by a couple of young guys but I raised the money, directed the work, negotiated with governments, NGOs and agencies...). I take great inspiration from Nancy Pelosi, Janet Yellen, Christine Lagard, RBG... We older women can really accomplish a lot at this stage. I am more effective and visible now (with bright white hair) than I have been for the last 20 years!
240
I am a substitute school nurse in six districts. I work in one or another school nearly every day. I love what I do. I love the students, I love my associates and colleagues and I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have my jobs.
And did I mention that on my next birthday I'll be 80?
384
@Judy Fern Me, too! (80 this coming birthday) I'm retired from paid work but happily, productively involved in various conservation projects in rural Maine. If only we had decent snow in coastal Maine!
21
@Judy Fern
Thank you! I only wish my fellow Democrats would look upon you as an example for why having a candidate like Joe Biden isn’t a liability due to his age, the type of genitalia he was born with, or the melanin content of his skin.
25
And kids love, love, love the school nurse! You go girl!
MIMA
11
It's wonderful that women have moved into positions of authority in government, business, academia, etc. I am glad that older actresses find roles and win plaudits for their performance. People working into their 60s and early 70s is fine by me. The one disagreement I have with this article is the praise heaped on the women in their late 70s who wield power in Washington. The U.S. needs fewer career politicians, and fewer septuagenarians and octogenarians in office. I do not wish to live in a gerontocracy, whether it is run by men or women. Grassley, Leahy, Feinstein, Pelosi, Ginsburg, et al. have been devoted public servants, but every one of them has stayed past their expiration date.
4
@Chris Rasmussen
Their experience and historical perspective are invaluable. I, for one, am very glad they are helping to guide the country during these times of "disruption." They have lived through disruptive times before and know how badly things can turn out. Too much disruption causes too much instability, leaving too much room for brash, loud young autocrats to seize power. Better a gerontocracy than a wild playpen.
And better than either is a diverse group of young and old, teaching and guiding the country together. Kind of like what we have now, after the November elections.
What is your expiration date, by the way?
3
Yes, good and necessary article. But, please: nobody was "invisible". Feeling invisible is a personal reaction, a perception. It isn't anyone else's fault. How we feel is a product of how we interpret interpersonal situations, or how we view ourselves. Only we are responsible for how we interpret our own experiences.
3
@Allen
The point the article was making might have been better framed as an experience of "invisibilization." I am not a woman, but a(n older) black man. I know, intimately, what it's like to walk into a room and realize that I am being quite literally "looked through" by white people in the room, as though I were part of the architecture, or the air. The point is not that I FEEL invisible. It is that I am being INVISIBILIZED.
25
Ageism. I didn't believe it was an issue until the full force of it hit me. I went from being a senior executive on an international corporation, educated, community leader - to someone bullied and dismissed. It took me a while to realize the reason (I was actually told by a woman older than me - I was in my late 50s - that I was too old for a job at her company). My advice: cowboy up and lose the noise. I own my company, I refuse to engage anyone who treats anyone with disrespect, and that's that. As for the French writer who thinks women over 50 are invisible, I am so relieved...nice to know the "creep pool" gets smaller with age!
40
@Patricia Well said.
2
This piece is great, but does omit any discussion of the role of bearing and raising children in women's lives, and how that disadvantages many women at a certain stage of their lives -- women who then find themselves free for a productive later-career push, when their children are older.
14
Unmentioned (unless I missed it) is that Susan Zirinsky is the person whom the main character in the 1987 Oscar winning film Broadcast News was based upon. She was a CBS producer in those days. Now 32 years later she's running the shop. Good for her!
14
I was so thrilled with Glenn Close's acceptance speech as Best Actress for her role in "The Wife" at the Golden Globe awards. She was obviously very surprised and moved by the award and spoke from her heart.
I cried when she cried talking about her mother, who spent her entire life taking care of her husband, and at 80 years old said she didn't feel like she had lived. Ms. Close urged all women to be who they want to be, live as they want and not let anyone or anything stop them. She got a standing ovation.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and other courageous, smart, strong women have shown the way.
Women of America have made it clear that they will not go back to the "good old days" of men deciding how they will live and what they can do with their own bodies.
This is truly a world-changing time. This is where OUR story of inclusion and power sharing start to bring balance and relative peace to the world.
39
@njglea
Well put!
3
@njglea Truly, our post WW2 generation was the first in human history who actually got to choose whether we wanted to be a wife or mother. Many did not and, for better or worse, lived the life we wanted.
6
I am a male baby boomer and I lived through the women's movement in the 1960s and 70s and it was wonderful except for the weak men who couldn't deal with strong women. Somehow the next generation of women took for granted the gains that women fought hard for and there was backsliding. Now we a a fresh new generation of young women who are back on track as evidenced by the new freshman class in the House. I say, you go girls! The old white men have made a mess of our democracy. We need a change, and you can do it along with the boomers who blazed the trail.
44
@rantall
Look at that! A baby boomer dismissing all of generation x as a disappointing failure! Since I am of that generation, let me now return the favor. Baby boomers, get off the stage. Your time is up. You’ve hogged the spotlight long enough.
@rantall agree that we needed a change, but as @Amy notes, I think your assessment and diagnosis of what happened in the next generation of women is inaccurate.
From my vantage point as a Gen X woman in the workplace, what I have witnessed are two broad trends: 1) a handful of women baby boomers fought their way into positions of expertise and/or leadership over the past 15-20 years, but at the same time 2) a systemic preference of baby boomer men ( in their 60s or 70s) in senior leadership positions to hire Gen X men (now mostly in their 40s) into junior and senior leadership positions.
In other words, men of one generation hired men of the upcoming generation to begin their leadership careers. Women made inroads, but there hasn’t been enough to change this broader systemic pattern of who hires who.
#Metoo is a watershed not only because is sheds light on patterns of systemic sexual harassment, but it is also shedding light on patterns of who hires who, and who gets passed over.
I don’t think it’s fair to say the next generation of women after the 1960s and 1970s, which would be Gen X, took the work of the previous generation of women for granted. If #metoo taught us anything, it is that we didn’t realize the pervasive systemic nature of the challenges facing women in the workplace. This realization is underway, and with it both Gen X and Gen Y/Millienial women are indeed blazing a trail for the upcoming Gen Z and beyond.
5
@Amy
Younger generations of women do take some things for granted. When it comes to abortion rights and birth control access you assume all the hard work is done. You blinked and now the early baby boomers are once again fighting the same fight they fought decades ago.
Birth control access regardless of marital status has only been legal since 1972, abortion since 1973. As a later boomer who came of age in 1978 I benefited from the perseverance of the women who came before me. Even though birth control was legal in 1978 for any woman to purchase most of us single women still had difficulty finding doctors to prescribe the pill since we weren’t married. You have easier access because later boomers like me busted through the myth that good girls don’t have sex outside marriage or use birth control.
Now because of indifference or maybe the belief that these rights would never be taken away, we see them eroding state by state, each new law more draconian than the previous. Read the recent six-part series in this paper on just this subject and more, “A Woman’s Rights”. Our rights as women are being infringed upon and my college age niece and her generation don’t care. I’ve been vocal and active in the fight all along, as a woman and a nurse, and will continue to be. If your generation and those that follow don’t step up then you will squander the work done by women and many men over the previous 100 years.
8
Great article!
At 61, I intentionally notice the number of older women in positions of power (a favorite being the host on PBS Newshour, Judy Woodruff). They are role models.
As a longtime entrepreneur, my business has never been more profitable or full of opportunities. 20+ years of experience, networking and brand-building has made that possible.
I do yoga a few times a week, belong to communities rich in learning and social events and am proud to be single, respected and financially self-sufficient. (Just joined Bumble, too.) It is an exciting time to be a woman. I do not miss the "broke," struggling early years.
It is important to ignore the marketing messages we receive about our supposed flaws (signs of aging, etc). It is also invaluable to participate in circles where there are powerful, accomplished women our age and older.
"If you can see it, you can be it."
16
And...the best thing we can do for the society is pass the wisdom of our fight on to younger women. The biggest mistake I have seen over the years is the self defeating fight among us over the scraps offered by those seeking to keep us down. In our desire to be "teacher's pet" and get ahead, we participated in the destruction of other women. Anyone who has been in the corporate world knows exactly what I am talking about. It's only when those who legitimately rose in the ranks reach down to assist those still rising that we truly achieve equality.
16
I have long thought that as the baby boomers age, the female contingent would gain greater and greater power. In many ways, we are the first women in history to have both health and some wealth and a lot of independence in our later years. Many of us are superbly vigorous, have great educations, and a lot of passion to right the wrongs on the world.
Invisibility is as invisibility does. Frankly, it provides great cover for some real subversive work--like helping get Democratic candidates a foothold in long-time red suburban districts. This wave is going to get larger and larger--and may become the greatest force yet unleashed in the world for productivity and social justice.
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More life behind me at 76 but I am still going strong, like the EverReady bunny..my active group of friends range from mid-sixties to eighties. We bike, hike, kayak, cross country ski, paddle board, volunteer, attend book clubs, spend lots of active time with our grandchildren. I teach yoga, take barre classes....We travel, eat healthy, garden, rake leafs, shovel snow, are politically, socially involved. We embrace our age, celebrate each new year with anticipation and like the bunny, plan to keep on keeping on. "Age is a state of mind." indeed Susan Zirinsky. Go us and all women. I
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Helen Reddy sang I Am Woman in 1972. Some lyrics:
"I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'Cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again
Oh yes I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)"
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@Mary Ann Donahue
I was 12 in 1972 and this song was the anthem for my Girl Scout troop. We played the 45 over and over roaring along with Helen Reddy until we wore the record out! It was my first “girl power” song.
But 1963’s ‘You Don't Own Me’ By Lesley Gore is equally empowering...
“You don't own me
I'm not just one of your many toys
You don't own me
Don't say I can't go with other boys
And don't tell me what to do
And don't tell me what to say
And, please, when I go out with you
Don't put me on display
'Cause, you don't own me
Don't try to change me in any way
You don't own me
Don't tie me down
'Cause I'll never stay
I don't tell you what to say
I don't tell you what to do
So, just let me be myself
That's all I ask of you
I'm young and I love to be young
I'm free and I love to be free
To live my life the way that I want
To say and do whatever I please...”
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@BMUS ~
Thank you! I had forgotten about ‘You Don't Own Me"--- love the lyrics.
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@Mary Ann Donahue
You’re welcome!
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I have mixed feelings about this piece.
On the one hand, I am a working woman in her 60s and proud of it. Older women need to be celebrated, so I genuinely thank the Times for highlighting us here.
On the other hand, ageism is alive and well. It took me years to land my current job. Many of my highly qualified contemporaries are sitting idle, overlooked by employers. A new study by ProPublica and the Urban Institute shows that older women are called in for interviews far less frequently than younger females.
While I’m delighted that the Times has published this piece, older women need far more recognition and validation in the workplace and in society.
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@ANetliner Just what I was going to post! It's nice that a handful of already rich and famous ladies are being honored, but it doesn't change the lives of millions of destitute seniors whose SS is 50% below the Federal poverty level, it doesn't attack ageism in hiring for working class seniors and it doesn't discuss ageism in media - even in television commercials, where mocking seniors (ie grandma) now seems to be accepted as part of a sales pitch.
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@me In response to ANetliner, I'm sure older men are also called in less frequently for interviews, vs their younger counterparts.
Regarding TV commercials, let's face it...many of them are lame, and plenty of sitcoms and commercials for household products also mock men/fathers as being bumbling idiots.
Lastly, the employment landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade, not just for seniors, but for all ages. AI, gig economy, social media, new technologies, telecommuting, etc. I wonder if some people are simply 'complaining' and using their age as a one-dimensional explanation for why they have difficulty getting work. Sure, maybe older folks have to work harder to get called in for an interview, but that doesn't change the fact that for everybody now, we must be extremely resourceful in order to be noticed and standout. What are older folks doing to remain not only current, but ahead of the curve? Are folks keeping up with social media...technology, etc? Are older folks going into interviews with their suits from the 1960s? Etc. Again, I'm not saying that ageism doesn't exist in the workplace, but for anyone to get hired nowadays, they must prove that they can thrive and adapt in this fast-paced, ever-changing world.
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Contrast this headline with the accolades to older men like Jeff Bridges. Glenn Close and Carol Burnett looked and acted decades younger. Why do men look scruffier and older as they age? Bridges rambling speech was a stark contrast those of Burnett and Close.
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Women tend to age better than men, both physically and emotionally.
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@Barbarra not all older men. Consider Richard Gere. That's Jeff Bridge's persona, aging hippy/actor. He's been married to the same woman for years, has nice kids and honors his family. Nothing wrong with that.
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after centuries of suppression it is encouraging to see that women are finally getting the relevance and stature that they deserve;like men they are not saints but they should be able to contribute to all aspects of our society(in addition to all the immense responsibilities that they have been carrying through out the history).
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In my 60's and still working & loving it, I have become best friends with two colleagues, both in their late 20's. We hang out, travel, eat out, and spend hours talking together. What I learn from them has become the most valuable lessons of all.
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I hope these younger women learn from you. I adore my 22 year old son, and like others his age. But I have wisdom, they just don't have. Yet.It behooves the young to take advantage of our experience.
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I would love to see a follow-up article about women like some who commented here--those who are not in high-profile industries like media, show business, or politics--who are happily successful and/or reinventing themselves in the second half of their lives.
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@Sherri...and not relegated to the Style section!
I am disappointed with all the folks who think that Ruth Bader Ginsburg is " down for the count" because she isn't back in her office 21 days after major surgery ( she is working from home). She will roar back in the next month. My first major surgery was for a benign tumor in my abdomen, I couldn't return to work for 8 weeks. I was 28 and otherwise in perfect health.
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Thank you! Agree!
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why do we have to see everything through the identity politics lense?
it's not "women over sixty". it's these specific individuals that happen to be over sixty and happen to be women. however they aren't recognized by those characteristics, but rather, because of the work they do.
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@dfcfan Because it has been (and still is) more common for them to be ignored for who they are rather than accepted and celebrated (and hired and promoted) for the work they do. Acknowledging that is necessary if any progress is to be made.
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@dcfan. You make an excellent point, but sadly, we live in an era where identity politics reigns supreme. We are all little more than our demographic. Sigh.
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At 59, I have such mixed feelings about this topic. I read an article years ago that discussed the types of careers that were more resilient to ageism. In fact, many professions value an older face.
For women and men still seeking new opportunities, I encourage you to do your research and invest in the schooling needed to make a change. I am in the process of preparing for an an exam to obtain the needed credentials to potentially transition from my current job to one less travel intensive but builds on my 35 year background in finance.
I think one reason I have lasted so long in my current position is that my co-workers and I work remotely. We don't see each other - our work speaks for itself. My boss is at least 13 years younger than me but I have co-workers well into their 60s. Their voices are a bit raspy, but they are still putting out good work. And in the end, is that not what employers want?
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@C Unfortunately, many (if not most) employers seem to primarily value employees who make them look good and don't disagree with their decisions, much less offer alternatives that point out the flaws in the boss' ideas.
Older employees make younger less-competent managers uncomfortable -- they assume (with some justification) that we're internally snickering at their youth and inexperience. A second assumption is that the older the employee the greater the cost to the company's health insurance.
If the boss is significantly older than everyone else around them, you can bet the company only wants an uncritical workforce, unreliable though it may be. Older adults are more stable and meticulous about their assignments, but are rarely impressed by hotshot self-promoters, a hallmark of the tech industry and mid-level management.
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@C Trust me, it just gets better after 60.
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Invisible? No, freed from the objectification and the white noise of outside judgment. My daughter is launched, my husband and I are happy, we are blessed with good health. Life has never been better.
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I love the progress. I am disappointed though that so much of this story was spent on hollywood. The ability to land an acting role pales in comparison to the ability to run a network, a company an organization, a country. And the only picture in the digital feed was G. Close.
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@Dr R: The ability to land an acting role does not pale in comparison if you are an actor and have to work to support yourself. Most actors struggle all of their lives to get work, and it only gets worse as you get older and age out of the roles you used to play. I have always managed to support myself in the arts, but am now 59 and haven't even been called in for an audition for months. I am facing having to change careers entirely, and have no idea what else I can do to earn a decent living, especially at my age. Ageism is a disgrace to society.
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This article and subsequent comments are timely for me as, at 67, I forge out yet again into another phase in my life - marketing my book...talk about a learning experience! My first ever podcast interview is today and I’ve already researched how to look your best on ZOOM. Yikes!
My experience has been that the excitement for living this life that we’ve been given is maintained by continuing to grow, to keep leaving our comfort zones, as uncomfortable as that may be. I work for myself and am in a field where experience (25 years) is a good thing so I haven’t encountered ageism as yet - except in my own mind as I have begun to notice, hey, I’m the oldest person in the room!
If I am invisible to anyone, well then I think their seeing me isn’t relevant to me and to whom I am becoming!
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@Susanna
Good Luck!
2
@peggy2thanks!
At age 58 I think it is marvelous that women of all ages are proving themselves leaders and being acknowledged for it as well. We need more women role models in all professions not just politics were a large number have recently emerged. We still seem to be laging in corporate America but lets hope with the promotion of Susan Zirinsky that will change. Women have a lot to bring to the table from which both men and women can benefit.
23
I started my life all over again at age 62 by fulfilling a long-delayed dream of becoming a professional singer. My idol, Marilyn Maye, is still singing at age 90 as am I at age 79. Bravo Glen Close...talent knows no age!
66
Are you serious?? A handful of older women (all of whom have jobs that involve cameras) get the spotlight for five minutes and suddenly we’re supposed to believe that older women have power? What about the rest of us? And what happens next week when the shiny object shifts somewhere else?
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@Claudia U.
Thank you!
6
As I interact with my 30 something to 40 something (mostly female) colleagues, I’m struck more by what binds us. By this I mean our passion for our work, the challenges of family, the political environment. We approach our challenges somewhat differently based on life experience but our openness about those experiences allows us all to grow somewhat harmoniously.
This is not to say that at 62, I don’t have to work to understand the culture that moves them and our differing expectations of the future in front of us.
8
Who says you must be a stay at home parent to be the family’s anchor? At 58 i have been continuously employed for 40 years, raised 3 children and been, most of the time, the sole breadwinner without the benefit of a stay at home parent. And based on the feedback of my kids they wouldn’t have had it any other way. And now that my almost adult children don’t need me most of the time I’m ready to take my 40 years of work experience and use it to make the next 10 years of my career the best yet.
20
61 next month and launching my new business! If someone thinks I'm too old... that's their loss.
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Good luck to them. As a male who as made it beyond middle management professionally, I intend to retire the minute I am old enough to collect my social security and pension.
I do not hate my job or profession--just the opposite--but I have simply had enough of working everyday. The more women, regardless of age, whom want to move into positions of power, the easier it will be for men who have overcome the need to run everything to retire and take it easy.
15
I can only express gratitude that I am alive at this time in histor... I am 72 years Young! Been waiting a long time. and to note, I experienced sexual 'assault, harassment, put-downs, shaming, ad infinitum from when I was very young in the home, more from more older, than younger men, uncles in law, etc. When we grew up with this stuff, we somehow knew it was strange, damaging, uncomfortable, and on and on, yet we never learned any better, back then. We have so much to give and so much value (as each human inherently desires and deserves. )
We are also nurturers of Mother Earth, whereas patriarchal man is destroying it. If humans make it through these messianic times, it will be in huge part due to Women Rising to their full selves and potential. Honor the Female..as we all grow into our full potential.
Thank you.
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@balmerhon Hear Hear Sister!
1
Sounds good in theory, but these "older" women speaking out in terms of aging proudly have already enjoyed the limelight and remain notable, even as they age, albeit gracefully.
The "roar" the rest of us hear seem to be emanating from the younger generation of liberals, progressives and newly sworn Democrats on a mission to upend the current administration.
11
@November-Rose-59 I guess the woman of a certain age is not only invisible to you, but also unheard by you. We are also roaring, right alongside you. Progressives are about inclusion, remember?
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@November-Rose-59
Nancy Pelosi is older than you, November-Rose. You don't like her, either.
2
It’s refreshing to be seen as just a smart person, working with people who are curious about what you think instead of “how” you got there.
21
Last year I hosted a number of Dim Sum Sunday brunches w a group of mostly over 70 year olds and a 68 year old local women. All are still working and happy (despite conquering cancer etc.) and energetic! Interesting but all the people I know are independent contractors so no boss except complying with regs and paying high real estate taxes here in NYS. The roads get plowed and teachers in our school district can not complain. I must do the brunches again soon.
20
We have the most youth oriented culture that ever existed. The worst thing you can do in America is get old.
We adore youthful brilliance but completely discount the wisdom gained with age. Intelligence and wisdom are related but not the same. So many things have been revealed to me over time that help me understand.
Glad to see all of the older women rising to the occasion. We need them to guide us through the madness we are currently facing.
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I for one use the freshman rep, Alexandra of new York as the poster child for your comment. Talk about over exposure of callow lack of knowledge!
3
It's mixed, like everything else. I've seen a number of women over 60 leave leadership positions over the past couple of years. I left a senior management position. Quite honestly, pushing against brick walls and glass ceilings for 40-plus years is exhausting.
My worst "old lady" experience occurred here in Portsmouth NH, with a group of mostly liberal community activists. This occurred shortly after retiring and relocating. They literally and figuratively erased me from their membership list. First time in my life I was made to feel irrelevant and invisible. It was an awakening, experiencing overt ageism. Bad as it was, it challenged me to reevaluate how I use my time and resources.
I love seeing other women 60 plus flourishing and succeeding, but for me, the sidelines are a relief.
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@Spucky50 I'm curious as to how you determined that they purposefully and intently removed you from their mailing list? Did you contact them...ask why you were no longer receiving their mailings, etc.? Or did you simply make an assumption as to what happened?
2
Numbers indicating how many are working in their late 60s, 70s & even 80s are interesting, but do not tell the whole story. Don't discount the volunteer force of older women (and men). While some who leave the paid work force may indeed be in poor health, others (who can afford it) decide that it is time to give back to the community doing much good in the process. Correspondingly many organizations from cultural ones like museum to advocacy groups, youth mentoring programs, and social service orgs of all kinds depend upon volunteers to carry out their programs. Many of the folks doing the mission of such organizations are older adults. Since women tend to live longer than man, a fair number of those faithful, hard working volunteers are women.
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@Anne-Marie Hislopj
Because these "older women" are in the volunteer community is doesn't necessarily mean that this was voluntary. Why aren't men being in the voluntary community. They are still regarded as being competent to be wage earners. Doesn't it suggest that women have the same ability. So they are no longer eye candy but looking carefully at their male competition they don't look so attractive. Women at least acknowledge that they don't turn brain dead after a certain age so they volunteer to keep their brains from atrophying and become useful seniors not like the male community who turn to golf clubs to enable them to endlessly retell their lives before women were finally given the opportunity to advance.
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@Mk I know as many men as women in this "volunteer community," and we're a good mix.
3