What do you think is the most accurate and respectful term to use for women over 60? We are looking for the term that makes us proud to be in this category.
Susan and I wanted to turn the blatant phrase Old Women into something respectable. We couldn’t find any “old women” who would go along with us.
So, we are asking you. What term do you prefer? Senior? Elderwoman? Older Middle-age? Wise Woman? Old Lady? None of these?
Click on “Comment” below to respond and to read what others suggest. Thank you for your input.
Women & Aging 
I am a bit late in answering this question. But, here goes.
I don’t like elder because it can morph into elderly. Elderly is definately not what I want to be called. If an adjective must be used… I would prefer mature or wise. I don’t think that an adjective is necessary. Woman by its self is fine. I read in the paper about an elderly woman (69) losing her purse. Well, I am older than that and do not consider myself elderly.
Finding an appropriate term for females within a certain age-range is much too politically correct for my tastes. It attempts to suppress opinion, and then builds opinions that create a stereotype. When I’m told that I look good for my age, usually by younger people, I often laugh (respectfully) at first. And then, I ask, “Are you worried about my self-esteem, or are you worried about yours?” But I only ask that question when there’s time for a discussion afterward. The discussion will be a polite get-over-it lesson on the inevitability of aging and how not to let the opinions of others dominate one’s self-esteem. And I agree with the women in this forum who have noticed that females are the primary target for aging issues vs. males. This entire issue–fear of aging with its side effects (loss of self-esteem and loss of admiration from others)–has never been absent from human life, and it is not likely to disappear any time soon. Therefore, I apply the KISS principle to this issue, i.e. “Opinions are like you-know-what. We all have them, and a lot of them truly reek.” Like the one that has fueled aging issues since Day One: I have a right and a duty to be superficial, by judging a book only by its cover, at all times. This opinion has kept daily life extremely interesting, while it has also fueled a grand variety of industries which are designed to combat the inevitable. Personally, I think it is an invorating and fascinating daily game! My only advice is not to take the game too seriously, by remembering the above KISS principle throughout each day, to soothe the daily whacks that you’ll receive from normal people who are wielding their Obvious Sticks, because they sincerely believe it is their duty. And now, to answer the question directly: I don’t care what anyone calls me at my 67 years, just as long as they call me for dinner, or anything else that is good, like this forum!
Any woman should be pleased by this observation: Yeah, her skin is thin & wrinkly, but she’s a healthy, active woman who looks great!
I love gray hair too! As a friend of this project recently wrote, gray is “nature’s frosting”–she used to have to pay for it!’
I think there’s a perfectly good reason that our hair gets lighter as we age–it’s so softening.
Very dark (dyed) hair around a grand dame’s face looks unnatural and therefore a bit hard.
I would like to add to the question about appearance: ” gray is the new blond.”
I LOVE gray hair.
How about “grand dame”? Gives it a little flavor, no?
Mature Woman–
Re the comment: Do I look old —for my age? If a compliment has to be qualified, forget it!
I like “baby boomers” for my age group….whatever we are called we are lucky compared to the next in line…shall they be called “less fortunate”…no matter the sex, etc. …they are! We don’t give enough attention to all the children in homes that have poor leadership and breeding. Who is looking out for them? We are the lucky, the fortunate, the golden girls…no matter our sex, we are the golden generation with granchildren of the up and coming “less fortunate.”
Is a “term” necessary? I’m with Barb and just prefer “woman.” If one needs to describe a particular subset it is easily accomplished by saying “women over 60″ . .”centenarian women” etc. Adjectives such as “mature” and “wise” strike me as presumptuous and are not qualities guaranteed by the passing of years.
I don’t think of myself as “old”, “wise”, or “elderly”. I prefer to be called a woman full of life and love.
I am a patinaed (sp?) woman. I have fine lines like aged sterling silver. A good patina makes sterling more valuable. Me too.
I prefer what Barb said, to be referred to by age, followed by whatever discriptive terms are approppriate;ie: She is 74 years old but she still has her own hair, most of her own teeth, still recognizes her own children, and only has to use her cane for long trips. Seriously though, I really like the comment I read about Jackie O. A friend was asked about Jackie’s age. The friend replied that she had no idea about Jackie’s age, but whatever it was Jackie looked great!
I agree with my ancient friend Carol. Humor directed at self is a very good thing. I wonder how many of us would go along with Ancient as an adjective for those of us in the last quarter of our lives?
Another suggestion.
Crones of the Realm:
On Women and Aging
Not elder anything. In fairy stories the elder daughter is always ugly and mean. Remember? If you’re an elder daughter, surely you do. How about ancient relative? Humor directed at self, that’s a good thing, isn’t it?
Carol
How ’bout just “woman”? The modifiers and adjectives come later in the context of a description. i.e. “My friend is a woman, 75 years old, strong and capable. She is wise, caring, full of laughter and, when asked about her grandchildren, will pull out a photo album of all six of them from birth to last week.”
Call me crazy (no, don’t), but “elderly” is very different. I immediately get a vision of someone who can barely walk. I do like the version the blog admin. used above (one word) “elderwoman.” When I was growing up, the most respected people in our church were called elders. Then it was only men, but I’m sure the Presbyterian Church boards of elders now include women. I wouldn’t mind being called an elder (the word by itself), and elderwoman, to be more specific.
I like “Elder Woman.” It does carry respect, and it applies equally to every elder woman.
What about “Elderly?” That seems to be in frequent use?
I, too, like “wise woman,” though I must admit that every woman over 60 can’t be described as wise. That word, along with “mature” can describe women of any age. I certainly am wiser, having lived nearly 69 years. You would have to be stuck on a very high center not to have gained some wisdom from the world as the years go by. And, speaking of words, here’s a a couple of reminders that sexism is alive and rampant, even in that bastion of progressivism, NPR. This morning I heard two references to women. First, an unemployed “older” woman, 49, was described as “petite, with a brown pony tail.” I try to imagine a similar description of a male in that situation (“short, overweight, with a buzz cut”?). Second, in a story on the subprime mortgage debacle, subprime mortgages were descibed as a beautiful, alluring woman who, for some, turned out to be a horrible, wicked witch. Hold me back! Why would they describe a concept that was created by men and abused by men, mostly, using female metaphors? As for me, I like “elder.” It can describe both men and women, and it’s a word that carries respect. I would like to be referred to as simply “an elder,” or as “an elder woman.”
When I look at my body, I feel old-otherwise I don’t “feel” old.
As an up-and-coming “old woman” I like the sound of Wise Woman! No implications of “old” in that.
It feels very respectful to me.
Neither term, especially old, appeals to me. It is a matter of redefining the meaning of old. Certainly ads, like “Do you want to get rid of Turkey Neck? ” do not give a very favorable impression of aging.
This is an ad for some cream that was in today’s U.S.A. WEEKEND.
By the way, the ad did not feature a picture of a man.
Remember that Grandpa Walton called Grandma “Old Woman” and it was obviously a term of endearment.
A couple of us here at the office feel that “mature woman” is the least offensive of the alternatives presented. However, “baby-boomers” still identify my particular age group.
Which do you prefer, Mature Woman or Baby Boomer?