For the June 2024 Solstice, Jody Day, founder of Gateway Women brought together a panel of #NomoCrones (nomo=not-mother + crone is not an insult!) to explore the topic of ‘Courageous Conversations’.
As all women grow up (and exist within) a patriarchal culture that valorizes female silence and compliance, this is no small task. Although some of us may have grown up in families and cultures that role-modelled and supported some freedom around speaking up for your needs, correcting misunderstandings and seeking to redress injustices, we are often encouraged by the overculture to become more compliant as move through puberty and into the field of adult relationships. We’re encouraged and praised for ‘keeping the peace’ and ‘not rocking the boat’.
So where does that leave us when, as adults, and as older women, we need to speak out and speak out about things in our family, friendships, partnerships (if we have one), workplaces, communities and the wider culture? And in a world that seeks to silence the voice of women without children, and all older women by shaming us as ‘harpies’, ‘bitter’, ‘hags’, ‘harridans’, or [insert derogatory term here], how do we find the courage, and where do we learn the skills to use our voice wisely and effectively?
Hosted by Jody Day, founder of Gateway Women and with guests including:
Find out more about Jody's Gateway Elderwomen project here. Read Jody's essays on Substack, free here. Join Jody's 'Childless Elderwomen' subgroup (hosted by the Childless Collective) here. Join the Gateway Women newsletter so you don't miss the next Fireside Wisdom call here.
