This is such a heart-uplifting piece Kim. I’ve been basking in Kamala’s radiance this past week, and noticing that every time I look at a photo of her, I get an unprompted body chill and tear-welling. Being on an SNRI, I’ve missed a level of this visceral response to the world but Kamala brought it back full force and I’m loving it!
Me too, me too! I started on an SNRI about a month ago and I was worried about being “flat” emotionally. But nope. All this latest news is making me feel deeply for all us older women out there.
I love this post and thank you! I am an older woman myself at 55. There are so many inspiring women over 50. On Substack especially! It gives me hope. I felt life was over after a certain age but we are just getting started
Here, here Jane. It does feel as if we become invisible. Just when we’re really starting to find our groove. Here’s to all these women showing us the way! A club I’m happy to be in now.
I recently retired from a career in ministry to the marginalized, working out of a homeless shelter. So the question was “to whom do I minister now?” And the answer, obviously, is
Kim! I LOVE this post! You took me on a rollercoaster ride of awesomeness from Kamala Harris to Nancy Pelosi, from Celine Dion to Pamela Anderson! The lord almighty shines her light down on us and I feel uplifted. Thank you so much for putting into words what I've been feeling and living for the past 3 years. My birthday was 7/23 and I turned 57 - I've never felt more comfortable in my own skin. XO 🥰😍🥰😍
Happy belated birthday Amy! We should all get to that place of feeling comfortable in our own skin. I wish we could’ve experienced it earlier. But here’s to us feeling our full expression of ourselves now!
his is a great piece. Although an older man (73), I relate to older women and love reading this exceptional appreciation. I regret never meeting Ms. Pelosi personally. Although the intersection of her orbit ( national and international politics) and mine (high-energy particle astrophysics) is nearly the empty set, I hope still to have an opportunity someday.
Regarding an older woman who inspires me, I have to call out my own older ( by 6 years) sister. I think it would be injudicious to name her. While pursuing a PhD in music ( organ performance) under a prestigious teacher, she chose to switch to musicology. Through hard work she became proficient in several Renaissance/ Baroque instruments and learned to build harpsichords. She and her husband started their own touring Renaissance/Baroque consort (ensemble). After the PhD, she earned an MBA and ultimately became a University Vice President with recognized expertise in institutional research. Following her retirement she remained active in her academic and political interests including touring and performing with their consort. She has also worked toward the development of a teaching museum highlighting the many contributions of my paternal grandmother’s family to farming and farm technology in North Georgia. Recently she had a major heart attack while hiking. Fortunately timely intervention was carried out and there seems to be no lasting damage. I expect that this health setback will not significantly reduce her activities. Older women have agency in spades!
Wow John. Your sister sounds like she’s had an incredibly interesting life! I love hearing about her journey. I’m very glad to hear she’s coming through her health scare with flying colours. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for this wonderful compendium of powerful older women who give me so much hope! We love Nancy P in Baltimore — it’s her hometown, where she learned about politics from her dad (and uncle, too, maybe - it’s a political dynasty for sure). And Celine Dion’s triumphant performance was pure magic and grit. I cried buckets. And Kamala!! All in the same week! Wow.
As a 58 year old woman, I'm greatly enjoying seeing a 59 year old woman being lauded as "young" all over the media. You see, the media, you can prise your gaze off the 25 year old women if you really really try.
You are right Alison. I never thought of that, but it’s so true! All of a sudden we are “young” and have “energy” and get shit done quickly! They were comparing her 100 calls in 10 hours to Biden’s 10 calls over days. I actually don’t think you’ll see too many 25 year olds working as hard as she is right now.
I’m 80….so way older and bolder! 😅 Why I appreciate your essay! Keep on healing Kim, keep on writing so beautifully! We are all just growing along ….no worries what nimber it is! 🥰🤗
I am delighted to see Kamala rising so brilliantly to the occasion. And Hooray for OLDER women. I am 82 and write The Granny Who Stands on her Head. You can see me do so.
Ahhh, so beautifully written Kim. There is hope now. These women are strong, resilient, smart, and forward thinking. It’s time to focus on what really matters. I’ll keep praying that their voices will be heard.
I am so glad that joy has returned and you are enjoying your beautiful boat and the magnificent ocean views. 🩷
Thanks Maem. I hope you guys have had a wonderful summer. I’ve seen a few pictures and it looks like the time on your island has been exquisite. Especially those night skies!! xo
After 44 years of marriage, 3 continents, 10 international moves, 2 children born in Africa, made a happy home whenever we moved, except for the living on a sailboat idea, finished her bachelor’s degree at a university in Zimbabwe where she broke the color bar (she was beloved by her African classmates and vice versa), homeschooled our kids who both went on to finish university, spent a lot of years waiting at home and hoping I was safe wherever I was, loved me when I didn’t think I could be loved, supported me, always has a mind of her own, knows what’s most important in life, finds joy in her flowers, tomatoes, and hummingbirds, is an intrepid photographer of the little world around us, she once had an airplane named after her, that she also learned to fly, (nore about that later in Switter’s World), and I still think she’s hot.
This is such a heart-uplifting piece Kim. I’ve been basking in Kamala’s radiance this past week, and noticing that every time I look at a photo of her, I get an unprompted body chill and tear-welling. Being on an SNRI, I’ve missed a level of this visceral response to the world but Kamala brought it back full force and I’m loving it!
Me too, me too! I started on an SNRI about a month ago and I was worried about being “flat” emotionally. But nope. All this latest news is making me feel deeply for all us older women out there.
I love this post and thank you! I am an older woman myself at 55. There are so many inspiring women over 50. On Substack especially! It gives me hope. I felt life was over after a certain age but we are just getting started
Here, here Jane. It does feel as if we become invisible. Just when we’re really starting to find our groove. Here’s to all these women showing us the way! A club I’m happy to be in now.
Same here! Thanks! 😊
Nicely put!
I recently retired from a career in ministry to the marginalized, working out of a homeless shelter. So the question was “to whom do I minister now?” And the answer, obviously, is
Myself.
Yassss!! That is a tough job you retired from Christine. You definitely deserve to focus now on you! Happy retirement.
Love this!!
Kim! I LOVE this post! You took me on a rollercoaster ride of awesomeness from Kamala Harris to Nancy Pelosi, from Celine Dion to Pamela Anderson! The lord almighty shines her light down on us and I feel uplifted. Thank you so much for putting into words what I've been feeling and living for the past 3 years. My birthday was 7/23 and I turned 57 - I've never felt more comfortable in my own skin. XO 🥰😍🥰😍
Happy belated birthday Amy! We should all get to that place of feeling comfortable in our own skin. I wish we could’ve experienced it earlier. But here’s to us feeling our full expression of ourselves now!
You ain’t seen nothing yet!
his is a great piece. Although an older man (73), I relate to older women and love reading this exceptional appreciation. I regret never meeting Ms. Pelosi personally. Although the intersection of her orbit ( national and international politics) and mine (high-energy particle astrophysics) is nearly the empty set, I hope still to have an opportunity someday.
Regarding an older woman who inspires me, I have to call out my own older ( by 6 years) sister. I think it would be injudicious to name her. While pursuing a PhD in music ( organ performance) under a prestigious teacher, she chose to switch to musicology. Through hard work she became proficient in several Renaissance/ Baroque instruments and learned to build harpsichords. She and her husband started their own touring Renaissance/Baroque consort (ensemble). After the PhD, she earned an MBA and ultimately became a University Vice President with recognized expertise in institutional research. Following her retirement she remained active in her academic and political interests including touring and performing with their consort. She has also worked toward the development of a teaching museum highlighting the many contributions of my paternal grandmother’s family to farming and farm technology in North Georgia. Recently she had a major heart attack while hiking. Fortunately timely intervention was carried out and there seems to be no lasting damage. I expect that this health setback will not significantly reduce her activities. Older women have agency in spades!
Wow John. Your sister sounds like she’s had an incredibly interesting life! I love hearing about her journey. I’m very glad to hear she’s coming through her health scare with flying colours. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for this wonderful compendium of powerful older women who give me so much hope! We love Nancy P in Baltimore — it’s her hometown, where she learned about politics from her dad (and uncle, too, maybe - it’s a political dynasty for sure). And Celine Dion’s triumphant performance was pure magic and grit. I cried buckets. And Kamala!! All in the same week! Wow.
It was a great week for seeing us older women in such a positive light!
“What do you think of Kamala’s chances?”
❤️💙🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊
I can only hope and pray this works. 🙏 But a lot better than where things were at barely a week or more ago!
As a 58 year old woman, I'm greatly enjoying seeing a 59 year old woman being lauded as "young" all over the media. You see, the media, you can prise your gaze off the 25 year old women if you really really try.
You are right Alison. I never thought of that, but it’s so true! All of a sudden we are “young” and have “energy” and get shit done quickly! They were comparing her 100 calls in 10 hours to Biden’s 10 calls over days. I actually don’t think you’ll see too many 25 year olds working as hard as she is right now.
I’m 80….so way older and bolder! 😅 Why I appreciate your essay! Keep on healing Kim, keep on writing so beautifully! We are all just growing along ….no worries what nimber it is! 🥰🤗
Thank you Joan. I look forward to growing older and bolder along with you.
😊🥰
I am delighted to see Kamala rising so brilliantly to the occasion. And Hooray for OLDER women. I am 82 and write The Granny Who Stands on her Head. You can see me do so.
Awesome name for a substack Anne!
Well done, Kim! I love this post shining a light on such amazing older women. We are galvanizing and not a minute too late.
Loved this article- and thrilled to see another Vancouver Islander here (I’m in Victoria)❤️. Go, Kamala!
Thanks Sheila. Nice to “meet” you here.
Ahhh, so beautifully written Kim. There is hope now. These women are strong, resilient, smart, and forward thinking. It’s time to focus on what really matters. I’ll keep praying that their voices will be heard.
I am so glad that joy has returned and you are enjoying your beautiful boat and the magnificent ocean views. 🩷
Thanks Maem. I hope you guys have had a wonderful summer. I’ve seen a few pictures and it looks like the time on your island has been exquisite. Especially those night skies!! xo
Thank you, Kim. Uplifting post.
❤️
I am married to one who is the light of my life. Does that count?
That absolutely counts! Hurrah for Mrs. Switter!
After 44 years of marriage, 3 continents, 10 international moves, 2 children born in Africa, made a happy home whenever we moved, except for the living on a sailboat idea, finished her bachelor’s degree at a university in Zimbabwe where she broke the color bar (she was beloved by her African classmates and vice versa), homeschooled our kids who both went on to finish university, spent a lot of years waiting at home and hoping I was safe wherever I was, loved me when I didn’t think I could be loved, supported me, always has a mind of her own, knows what’s most important in life, finds joy in her flowers, tomatoes, and hummingbirds, is an intrepid photographer of the little world around us, she once had an airplane named after her, that she also learned to fly, (nore about that later in Switter’s World), and I still think she’s hot.
This is my ode to older women. Ain’t love grand!
Nothing better for us old broads than being appreciated. ☝️Accomplished woman you have the good fortune of doing life with. A beautiful ode too!
I married way up!
This is awesome Kim, thank you!!
❤️