Women of an UNcertain Age: Indomitable Baby Boomers Challenging Cultural Norms
Joan Lobis Brown | United States
Photographer: Joan Lobis Brown
Exhibit Title: Women of an UNcertain Age: Indomitable Baby Boomers Challenging Cultural Norms
Location: United States
“Women of an UNcertain Age: Indomitable Baby Boomers Challenging Cultural Norms” is a photographic series with accompanying text from interviews that focuses on the American baby boomer woman. Baby boomer women, those born between 1945 and 1964, were the first generation to expect that they could “have it all” — equality, family, careers, fitness, health and wealth; there were no limitations. Now, as these women enter their mid-50s, 60s and 70s, they face a unique set of challenges: growing older in a youth-oriented society while continuing to enjoy meaningful and evolved lives.
Begun in 2015, this project focuses on ordinary baby boomer women who have shattered stigma to become extraordinary women leading inspiring lives, launching new careers, overcoming challenges and making society a better place for all of us. The women selected are strong, resilient, tenacious, courageous and unstoppable.
They are diverse in their ethnicity, religion, sexual identity and socioeconomic background. Their stories cover a wide variety of accomplishments: they are athletes, scholars, activists, businesswomen, artists, immigrants and survivors. They are all role models.
“Women of an UNcertain Age: Indomitable Baby Boomers Challenging Cultural Norms” is a photographic series with accompanying text from interviews, done by the photographer, that focuses on the American baby boomer woman. Baby boomer women, those born between 1945 and 1964, were the first generation to expect that they could “have it all” — equality, family, careers, fitness, health and wealth; there were no limitations. Now, as these women enter their mid-50s, 60s and 70s, they face a unique set of challenges: growing older in a youth-oriented society while continuing to enjoy meaningful and evolved lives.
In addition, we are living in a political climate where women of all ages have formed a resistance to preserve their hard-fought for inalienable rights. These fundamental freedoms are seen as being systematically chipped away. Women have been, and still are targets of sexism and ageism. Older women are described as invisible and “of a certain age”—even as crones or witches. As a child, I believed this myth. As an adult, and a baby boomer woman, I know this to be false.
Begun in 2015, this project focuses on ordinary baby boomer women who have shattered stigma to become extraordinary women launching new careers, achieving physical goals, overcoming challenges and making society a better place for all of us.
During this 3-year project, extensive research and networking was conducted to identify forty women living in the United States who were born during this period and are leading inspiring lives. They are diverse in their ethnicity, religion, sexual identity and socioeconomic background. Their stories cover a wide variety of accomplishments: they are athletes, scholars, activists, businesswomen, artists, immigrants and survivors. They are all role models.
Strong, resilient, tenacious, courageous, and unstoppable are some of the words I use to describe them. When these admirable qualities are attributed to people who have been stereotyped because of both their gender and age, and when these women are captured through photographs and interviews, it makes a political statement.
Simply by going about their lives, these amazing women challenge cultural norms and are a testament to the American character, courage, vitality and spunk. As these photographs are seen and the inspirational stories read, I believe the viewer will become more aware of what is possible—to be a better person, citizen, community member, partner, lover, and friend. And, I believe that younger generations will find inspiration for the challenges that lie ahead of them by learning about the lives of these baby boomer women who through their examples have led the way.
Joan Lobis Brown
33 Riverside Drive Apt. 4C
New York, NY 10023
917-774-3922
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