19 Comments

So needs to be said. We need you.

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This was a great read! Thanks for the NFG shout out too 😉

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Oh, thanks! That means so much!

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All of this. Such a great essay and thank you for all the recommendations!

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Awww.... it really was Alicia who inspired. I just had some time on my own to mull :)

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Great piece and advice. I'm doing my part by supporting Funny AF Women since comedy is such a boy's club, even here on the stack.

It's great that women are finally being recognized via legislation. 🙏🏻

I only wish more natural alternatives to HRT's were available. That said, thoroughly researched too! Personally, I can't take HRT's since I had BCancer and was estrogen positive.

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It IS such a comedy boy's club. And they're not that funny???

We need more non-hormone alternatives--that are heavy metal-free, safe from impurities, FDA-approved, and covered by insurance. It's a serious duty of care gap that people don't realize. xo

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Minus FDA approved. Another slow lane process. Supplements, minerals, protein powders, etc. aren't FDA approved and my health has improved without their stamp. Yes, insurance coverage is a must which unfortunately might mean it has to run through the rigamarole of the FDA.

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Understood. For some poorer women--what it means is--it just enables them to access through medicaid and EBT programs--so sometimes both lanes can be useful--not always. More safety nets!

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True true.

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Thank you! I turn 50 in a few weeks and it is lovely to remember that I am part of a whole thriving crew. Great to experience your voice and take some notes from your post.

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There is so much fun to be had post 50! And it’s a great time to reorganize your thoughts on what it is you want to be doing. To say to yourself.... what do I want to spend the next thirty years doing ....I interview women who start something post 50 that they are passionate about. It’s amazing what happens.

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Welcome, Empress!!! Lol...And Huzzah! Happy Birthday (in advance)... We're all just figuring it out. Kindest, Alisa

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Alisa, this is the best post I've read in awhile. And much needed. Although I am not in the U.S. there are still so many gold bars of good advice and practical tools for any woman wanting to thrive. I want to take the picture you have of Jodie Foster and put it on my fridge. To remind myself, "this is thriving" in mid-life. Pure gold. xo

-Commit time to telling individual women how great they are. Support their work.

-Stay in the workforce in the way that makes sense for you—whether through teaching, consulting, speaking, or pivoting to create that body of work that brings you deep satisfaction.

-Be the mentor wherever you find the openings.

-Build a legacy of learning so that women who come after us don’t face the mysteries of midlife and menopause with the dismissal and message to “just suck it up” as we did.

-Advance other younger women instead of actively throwing them under the bus—even when they are mistaken or running counter to a team objective.

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Ah, thanks--it was all inspired by Alicia! And isn't Jodie just IT? Keeping her on my desk. xo

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The only thing more annoying than how menopause handled by our medical professionals (save but a blessed few) is the idea that Sh!tler could have another term and we'd have a bunch of autocratic, fascist morons running us into the ground. The stuff of nightmares. You witness my visibility at the poll.😘 xo

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OHHHHMG this is witty, wise and wonderful, thanks so much Alisa! LOVE that you provided excellent resources for each of my 3 categories (and I would add that donating to Emily's List is a great way to support even if you yourself don't want to run). I've actually volunteered as a speech and presentation coach for the National Women's Political Caucus (which is non-partisan) several times,

and the women who came through the EL program were by far the strongest in everything they did. More than anything, I want us as a culture to recognize that WOMEN ARE FULL HUMAN BEINGS, and I've got a few things to say about that in next week's Monday Memo, as well as in my essay. Much love and support, and looking forward to collabing further!

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Oh, such a GOOD reminder. Will add to the CTA. Our household always donated to Emily's List before the recent accident and onslaught of bills. We'll be back soon as this year ahead is more important than ever. And Huzzah(!) to our culture recognizing AND actualizing WOMEN AS FULL HUMAN BEINGS... b/c there's plenty of lip service to go 'round, but it's in the doing that counts. Deepest gratitude to you for all you do! xo

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Right back atcha!

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