Boomer Damas - Women Baby Boomers

It is very strange how the FDA regulates some of our medications. We are driving from Maine to Quebec City, Canada tomorrow so that we can pick up some quinine pills for my husband. He gets severe leg cramps and quinine eliminates them. Our physician was able to prescribe them until last summer when the FDA decided that only if you had maleria could you get a prescription. Well, he tried drinking gallons of icky tasting tonic water which has some quinine in it, but no worky!! We can get the pills in Canada and of course for less money. Are Canadians less concerned about the health of their citizens so that you can buy them there……without a prescription????? I am concerned about how such decisions are made and how both the drug industry and insurance industries are controlling our health…..and our pocketbooks!!

written by Cindi Flow \\ tags: Canadian health system, economics of drugs, FDA, health insurance, health issues for those 50+, prescribed medications, quinine pills

On the holiday celebrating Martin Luther King and his accomplishments, I am pausing to reflect on what the “sixties dreams” meant to my life as a young woman in my high school and college days. The death of JFK, the death of MLK, the Vietnam War…….what did it really mean to me? And now, how do the dreams of Benazir Bhutto and her death impact my life?

I was a naive “New Englander” living in small town America where those events seemed surreal. I remember the principal of the high school announcing that our president had been shot…….why was this dynamic leader so tragically taken from us? And a few years later, “I have a dream” ’s leader was gone. Why were so many young men dying in Vietnam? For whose rights did they die? Was I supposed to be a flowerchild and spread the message of love? What was the meaning of life?

And in the 21st century, people are still questing for “their rights” as members of this planet. In our country, what can I/we do in the conflict over immigration? Bhutto was seen as a great leader and change agent to many Pakistanis………and she was recently brutally assassinated. Where are all the dreams going? Will the human race one day stop dreaming…….or is it our dreams that keep us hoping for a better world tomorrow? Will Fatima al-Timani in Saudi Arabia be forced to commit suicide if her king does not sanction her marriage to a man she truly loves for himself and not for the prominence of his tribe? And what about her children? Donna Abu-Nasr comments in Newstin that the most frequent victims in the kingdom’s Islamic legal system are women.

I have often commented that if I was blessed with large sums of money, I could really make a difference in the lives of others. Yet, sometimes, even those who try are criticized (Oprah in Africa) or the aid does not bring about longterm and sustainable change. Is there something we “prime time” women can do to make a difference with the individual resources we have? Could there be a way to pool common interests and impact the world one person at a time, one situation at a time?

Two and a half years ago, my husband and I participated in a medical missionary trip to Zambia. The women in the bush do the majority of the work to provide for the family and to raise the family. The country is ravaged by AIDS and poverty and the government is self-serving. I saw things, like leprosy, that nauseated me. Yet, the spirit of these people, these women, soars far above ours. We befriended a young high school girl who had lost both parents to AIDS. She so impressed us that we committed ourselves to do what we could to help her get an education so she could increase her options for a higher standard of living. She can make a difference in the lives of others in her country.

Do you think that including opportunities for boomer women to work together to enrich someone else’s life should be included in the BoomerDamas online homeplace? Your thoughts on this subject and ideas related to mentoring and giving circles would be appreciated.

written by Cindi Flow \\ tags: 50+ generation, Aids, Benazir Bhutto, boomer women, civil rights, Fatima al Timani, giving circles, global needs, human rights, immigration, Martin Luther King Jr., mentoring, philantropy, political dreams, political leaders, poverty

As a leading edge Boomer Dama, I had hoped as a nation we were at a point where national politics could rise above sexism and misogyny. Compassion, emotion and empathy are human traits which should be valued in all people – especially those running for national offices. I, as many of you, have experienced politics in many venues: the politics involved in our family structures, in our workplaces, places of worship, social circles, and in our communities. As a boomer woman in the corporate world for the last twenty plus years of my career, I worked with some extremely sexist people and it drove me crazy at times. Yet, I keep putting on my rose-colored glasses hoping to see changes in society regarding gender-typing in leadership for greater opportunities for women at the highest levels.

All this flak about Hillary’s emotions and how that may or may not influence her ability to make decisions is about to drive me to distraction. I have several granddaughters at this point in my life, and I cringe at how these attacks might influence them to avoid public service and the world of politics. I believe that female leaders from other countries must have shown some emotion during their tenure…..women such a Margaret Thatcher, Golda Meir, and Indira Ghandhi. The posting on The Pie-Eyed Picayune has some interesting comments on Margaret Thatcher’s show of emotions during her years as prime minister of England. I also enjoyed reading through the comments from men on Hillary’s emotions on the site HillaryNowObabmaLater.org. Tobin Horshaw shares some interesting thoughts along with over 100 bloggers in his New York Times Opinionator story Hillary Clinton’s Mixed Emotions. I truly do not understand what makes people attack others by designing such misogynist t-shirts as you will find for sale on Cafe Press.

David Crary, an AP National Writer, stated that “Beyond the back-and-forth between a white woman and a black man seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, the situation has created a snapshot of the nation’s sensitivity — or lack thereof — to certain kinds of comments. Is it more acceptable, for instance, to make a sexist remark than a racist remark?”

Political ideologies aside, as boomer women, are we interested in how politics affects women as they seek elected offices? We have all gained wisdom over the years from flower children to major contributors to society in many career paths. Do we have a role as mentors? Do we have a role in philanthropic endeavors to help women around the world to raise their level of expectations in the political environments in which they live?

Do you agree or disagree that women in politics is a relevant topic for the boomerdamas website? Take our survey on the importance of discussing women in politics. Your comments are encouraged to help us design the site that meets the interests and needs of our “prime time” women.

written by Cindi Flow \\ tags: 2008 presidential primaries, boomer damas, boomer women, emotions, gender typing, Golda Meir, Hillary Clinton, Indira Ghandhi, leadership traits, Margaret Thatcher, misogyny, sexism, women in politics, women mentors

I admire the drive I am reading about in your posts, and your resolutions for 2008.  I wondered if my resolution of eating at least one serving of fruit every day was undeserving, but then I remembered I will be 56 this year and it is too late for second guesses!

I find myself thinking often about the aging process as I feel little aches here and there and notice new things about my body–its sort of like the early teenage years without the great body as a pay off.  I have been realizing that even though I knew I would get older, the reality is very different from the way it looked as I watched the older generation age.

I am also trying to imagine what life will be like without a paycheck coming in regularly (aside from the finances specifically) and what my day will look like if it does not involve getting up and going to an 8-5 job.  A consultant I met with recommended two books that I plan to read.  One is HALF TIME and the other is SUCCESS TO SIGNIFICANCE. 

I look forward to getting to know you all through this process.

written by Pam Krueger

Have you ever been sitting around with friends and someone says, “You know what we should do? We should put our heads together and figure out a way to ___________.” Well, that’s exactly what happened here. A few months ago, Cindi and I were having one of our frequent and animated conversations, when we realized that we should figure out a way to connect more women like ourselves; women who have much in common, and could benefit from belonging to a network of their peers. We’re talking about real women, those who have walked a mile in both high heels AND comfortable shoes! If you agree that it would be helpful to have a home away from home which is open 24/7, doesn’t care what you’re wearing, if your house is clean, or if there are 23 other people waiting on you for some life or death something or other, then read on. If you find yourself constantly juggling a life that is somewhere between June Cleaver and Gloria Steinham, you’re in the right place. And if you want to belong to an online community where you’re respected, accepted and supported, then get on board. I encourage you to click through and comment on the blogs, participate in the online survey at http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e27sb5qjfaoa5dad/start, and link to the websites listed on the right side of this web page. What do you like or dislike about the other sites? What would make boomerdamas.com work for you? How do we build it so that it meets your needs? Please remember that YOU are providing the foundation upon which we’ll build this community. Thank you so much for your time and your thoughtful responses. Now - let’s do it!

written by Melinda Cook \\ tags: accept, boomer damas, boomer women, boomerdamas.com, community, foundation, Gloria Steinham, June Cleaver, online community, participate, respect, support, survey, women, women's network, working women

Hello, Cindi and Bridgit!  It is warm in Austin today, too.  Of course we don’t have snowbanks as background.

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to be intentional about enhancing my communication with the wonderful women friends I’ve collected over 50+ years, 4 cities, 5 careers, and millions of email messages. Boomer Damas may help me keep that resolution and make new friends as well. Blue is my favorite color, and I like very clean web design, so I like this beginning very much. For me, time is the most precious resource, thus I like asynchronous communications; I can’t call and chat when I wake up too early, but I can read and write without disturbing anyone else’s sleep. And I also can write late in the evening when the other business is done.

Another of my resolutions this year is to really put into practice the advice in the book Getting Things Done. I’m on day four of follow-through and I’m feeling tired but quite accomplished! The management principles and practices fit well for those of us whose work lives and personal lives are not clearly separated and for those of us who are constantly thinking “Oh, I could do that” or “Yikes, I must do that” when we are in the shower, in the car, in a meeting, or in that twilight before sleep. I’m looking forward to the growth of this site.

My hope is that this new site allows connections and the exchange of information.  Judy

written by Judy Ashcroft \\ tags: Getting Things Done, resolutions, sleep, women friends

Good Afternoon, from an unusually warm rural Massachusetts town, fellow BoomerDamas.

I too was once a Diva and am now enjoying my family and first Grandchild more than ever.  As a graduate of the corporate world, I am launching a small woman and minority business. More on that as things develop.

I too, look forward to rekindling relationships with those whose paths I have crossed over the years…and meeting others through this source. Great idea Cindi!

First observations though, BoomerDamas pops up in SpellCheck, the greeting message page needs to be in a larger font for these “over 40 eyes”,  and I updated my Profile password and saw yesterdays date (somewhere).

So, keep on Boomering, Damas!  Warmly, Bridget

written by Bridget Hadley

As women of the boomer era who have danced on the glass ceiling, two of us began conversing last year about the still untapped power, wisdom, talents and spirits of the TRUE WOMEN WHO BROUGHT CHANGE to the American way of life.  Our lives continue to evolve and we still want to make a difference in the world around us because what we leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.

As boomer damas (we once were divas), we have been experiencing a passion to stay connected to our changing world, our extended families, our former colleagues and neighbors as well as a keen desire to meet new damas.   Technology has come a long way  friends since our transistor radios, Sony walkmans and the Apple II computer to enable us to reach out and create an exciting community meeting the needs and wishes of real women.  One of us is at the leading edge of this generation and one of us is at the trailing edge, but both of us share many common experiences with each other and with each of you.

 This blog is designed to gather information as we develop an online homeplace for boomer women who want to be socially and culturally active and connected to “what’s happening and what’s in vogue” throughout the rest of their lifespan.  As successful, creative and giving women look for an online homeplace where they can remodel their lives as professional mentors, lead online giving circles to connect with women around the world to make a difference in a life or situation, find support for elder care or grandchild care, find a travel buddy or join a high quality book club, we want to build that place.  I really like the term “Prime Time Women” used by Marti Barletta, a key thought leader about marketing to women.  We are in the “prime” of our lives and women in their 50’s and 60’s report these decades as the happiest of their lives.  We are not in denial about our age or appearance, but we do have a greater drive for authenticity.

 The input of “Prime Time” women is needed to develop a quality site.  Although there are some sites out there for this demographic, we have not found one that creates the “Prime Time” environment we desire.

 As you search the web and visit sites, share with us what resonates with you in an online environment that would keep you involved and excited enough to share with others.

written by Cindi Flow \\ tags: boomer big spenders, boomer damas, boomer women, digital damas, emerging demographic force, gender trends, leaving a legacy, Marti Barletta's "PrimeTime Women", Next Questers, prime time women