Boomer Damas - Women Baby Boomers

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

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

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