Woman of a Certain Rage

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Eliza Hollander is fifty and is suffering the rigours on menopause. The use of that word alone will probably send male readers rushing towards their man caves to take refuge, but if you are male and still reading, I encourage you to continue. Even though I’ve been an adult for longer than I was a child, I’ve yet to become comfortable with anger. Anger, when I was growing up, equalled violence and that’s not the manifestation I’m looking for. I want anger to spur me on to action, to propel me to right wrongs, not cause destruction. These candidates, mostly professional women in their forties and fifties, ousted a string of conservative MPs after campaigning for more action on climate change and female equality. One defeated Josh Frydenberg, the treasurer who had been tipped to replace prime minister Scott Morrison. That’s a bit of a pity, made even more so by the fact that it’s a very enjoyable read, says a man of a certain age. These women have confronted and articulated the rage that drives them to be who they are. In doing so many of these women have discussed deeply personal experiences that could have destroyed them, and in some cases nearly did.

Urban Dictionary has a far more specific term: "Ironically polite term for a woman who does not want her actual age known, e.g. one who is close to or just over the menopause." Oh, so it's the menopause! How do you work out when a woman hits that rather private lady-lacuna? The Urban Dictionary gives more clues as how to spot one of these indeterminate creatures. "Things which define women of a certain age are," they explain, "exceptionally gaudy clothing, homeopathy and aromatherapy, sensible haircuts, books on feminism, affairs with paper boys, and coffee mornings." Oh. So you might be hormonally variable, but you will be well-groomed, well-scented, well-read, rebellious, calm, colourfully clad and sexually sated. Things are starting to look up! Her corporate, champion and coach training programmes are designed with the latest research and industry best practices, ensuring that participants gain valuable insights and practical strategies for maintaining well-being and achieving personal and professional success. In a pandemic that forced thousands of women out of paid jobs and into unpaid caring work, Morrison’s government also axed Covid wage subsidies for childcare workers as it offered help to a construction sector dominated by men. On the campaign trail, Morrison repeatedly appeared in hi-vis trade worker vests.

A similar sense appears in Letters from Henrietta to Morvina: Interspersed with Anecdotes, Historical and Amusing, of the Different Courts and Countries Through Which She Passed (1777): The first Google Books instance where "a certain age" emphasizes that the woman thus described is no longer in the first blush of her youth appears in " The Several Classes of Ladies," in The London Magazine (December 1754), reprinted from the November 28 issue of The Connoisseur:

I refer to Lousie Hay's "Shoulding Exercise" which is in her book You Can Heal Your Life https://www.louisehay.com/

The Sydney Morning Herald

Approximately one quarter of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, yet many women hesitate to take time off work during this difficult time

Some of these stories are so raw they put a lump in your throat, many are hard to read as you confront both your own rage and your errors in dealing with others, all are both valid and powerful. Clark had just spent three years working on Acting Your Age, a campaign for more roles for older women that she launched, having failed to restart her own acting career after turning 50. Some women suffer badly during the menopause, but many others don't, so if you read this and you are pre-menopausal just don't assume Eliza is the norm! Remember this is a comic romp and should not be taken too seriously. Recommended if you want a funny, mainly authentic and fairly light hearted read. We specialise in supporting employers in embracing and normalising all life stages, from menstruation to menopause. We provide training for Menopause Coaches and Menopause Champions, empowering them to create supportive environments.The phrase “a certain age” was a work in progress during the 1700s and 1800s, sometimes positive, sometimes negative, sometimes referring to women, sometimes men, and sometimes children, animals, or things. Yet Clark’s experience was a reminder of another unexpected breakthrough for middle-aged women in a different part of the world. The success of the so-called Teal independents in last month’s Australian election was predicted by almost no one. She has a team of coaches who offer discreet support to individuals seeking to bolster their self-esteem and self-confidence, helping them navigate the challenges and embrace the opportunities of menopause. The OED’s earliest example of the usage is from a 1754 issue of the Connoisseur, a short-lived satirical weekly in London, edited by the essayists George Colman and Bonnell Thornton: