‘Overqualified’ Is Just Polite Code for ‘Too Damn Old’
For women over 50, “overqualified” isn’t a compliment. It’s a slick way to keep talent on the sidelines. Experience and maturity aren’t liabilities—and what employers overlook, women can reclaim. Sexism hits women of every age, and ageism hits all genders. But older women get the double whammy. Just when we’re hitting our stride—peak experience, peak […]
Jamie Lee Curtis: The Reign of Defiance
From scream queen to truth-teller, Curtis has turned sobriety, gray hair, and rage into power. It was the 2023 Oscars. Jamie Lee Curtis at 64, silver-white cropped hair blazing like a battle flag. Thankful, manic, sobbing into the mic as only she could. Statue in hand. The room roars. And every woman over 50 thinks […]
Rule of Attraction: What Really Pulls You In
Attraction is a funny thing. It can be based on personality, shared interests, hormones—but if you relied on the lens of Hollywood, you’d probably say it’s purely based on appearance. Attractiveness, especially for women, has some highly narrow parameters: smooth skin, taut body, lush hair—an amped-up version of the hallmarks of youth. What Hollywood Still […]
Should Older People Be Banished? Why Intergenerational Living Matters
A few months ago, I stumbled upon a heated Facebook discussion in my community. The conversation revolved around what some parents in their 30s and 40s referred to as the “old people” in the neighborhood. Many felt that seniors should move out, and into senior communities, arguing that their needs and preferences were taking precedence […]
What Madonna’s Plastic Surgery Teaches Us About Aging (and It’s All Good)
Lately, Madonna’s plastic surgery and antics have been called sad and embarrassing. But her wild style should be cause for celebration, not condemnation. I open Instagram and see a video of a favorite singer of mine dancing in a silvery, shimmery bodysuit. It’s wildly futuristic and wonderful … until I read the comments. “Grandma, what’s […]
Invisible After 60: The Moment My Doctor Made Me Feel Irrelevant
I asked my new, 40-something female physician (a specialist) about the risks versus the benefits of an increased dose of a medication. We had mostly concluded the annual visit, and as the doctor stood up to leave, she said at my age (63), if the medication made me feel better, use it. She cited no […]
From Judgement to Crush? My Unexpected Admiration for Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson and I have two things in common: blonde hair and ample curves. But while she was running into the ocean carrying a red rescue buoy, I was designing submarines for the U.S. Navy. I was 29 when Anderson bounced down the beach as “CJ Parker” on Baywatch. Her overdrawn lips and iconic red […]
What’s in a Name? Old Bag, Hag, Crone—No Thank You
What’s the best, most inclusive, least eye-roll-inducing way to describe women “of a certain age”? If you have one, believe me, I’m all ears. The truth is, trying to label us without boxing us in feels like an impossible task. Swapping out words like “older,” “retired,” “mid-life,” “senior,” or “mature” all feel cringy, each word […]
