Women, it's time to age disgracefully

What role models does she mention? A couple of actresses. That's all. Excuse me, Bronwen, that's pathetic. There are rather more than that in lots of different work. It isn't all about appearance!

I'm not going to play this 'lets put the younger generation down' game.

Those of you who enjoy that sort of thing carry on without me

Bully for you Flick

I find the older I get the more likely I am to speak up and make sure I am heard!

Well, I have made it to 70 without ever feeling I was invisible. Why do we need all these role models? I have been going my own way since childhood without feeling any need for them.

I studied economics, an almost totally male subject in the early 1960s, at a northern technical 90% male university and went on to make a career in predominantly male industries where I was usually the only woman above clerical level. I cannot once remember having or wanting a role model. In fact I really enjoyed challenging male/female stereotypes.

I am certainly not saying that at times I did not meet prejudice and discrimination, but I have yet to be invisible or need role models.

I must say that I often think women are their own worst enemies, they acquiesce by accepting invisibility instead of speaking up and ensuring they are seen and the lack of role models or any other minor difficulty is used as an excuse for doing nothing.

It took me until I reached 40 to start having confidence in my power and ability as a woman. I wasn't going to let it dwindle and become invisible when I had only just started to feel like that. What planet is she on, that she thinks the world revolves around the visibility of wrinkle-free youngsters, and you therefore have to rail against aging. Yes, twaddle!

What's your problem with this?
I think the point she is making is valid about older women not being heard and women in general lacking positive older role models. Yes, she admits there are a few, more than our generation ever had, but it's true there are far more older males in these roles. How many times have people posted on GN about being invisible. Well this is just her way of saying something similar.

I'm surprise so many people have gone down the grumpy old women role before pausing to consider she is only 39 and therefore speaking with the voice of a woman that age and without the benefit of hindsight.

What a load of wimps this younger generation of women are. Where did we go wrong when we were bringing them up?

Like Brendawymms my career really took off in my 40s.

What a pile of twaddle.

Invisible? HA!

Yes, I reckon I was in my prime at that age. Certainly not losing confidence in my value.

Worried about getting old and invisible at 39. Give me strength. I didn't start training for my second career as a nurse until 42 and rose to be a Hospital Director. The life after 40 is the best.