In late 2014, NY Times Magazine shared a wealth of articles about seniors. Celebrating men and women who have changed the face of aging, the articles proved that the conventional thinking about seniors no longer applies.
PR for People found one particular article in the series, “Old Masters at the Top of Their Game” by Lewis H. Lapham clearly demonstrates that while we must change our thinking about seniors being useless and befuddled, conventional patterns regarding sexism are alive and well. While everyone profiled in Lapham’s article was indeed over 80, the men outnumbered the women two to one. Statistics aside, two giants among women leaders were missing from the list– Gloria Steinem (80 last March) and Barbara Walters (85).
By the numbers however, according to the last census, as men and women pass the threshold of eighty, there is a marked increase in the number of women. In fact at age 85 and older, there are more than twice as many women as men.
This piece points out the rampant disparity that still exists for women in media representation. The Women’s Media Center reports that:
- By a nearly 3 to 1 margin, male front-page bylines at top newspapers outnumbered female bylines in coverage of the 2012 presidential election. Men were also far more likely to be quoted than women in newspapers, television and public radio.
- On Sunday TV talk shows, women comprised only 14 percent of those interviewed and 29 percent of roundtable guests.
- Talk radio and sports talk radio hosts are overwhelmingly male.
- As newspaper employment continues to tumble, so does the number of women in key jobs.
- Newer, online-only news sites have fallen into the same rut as male bylines outnumbered female bylines at four of six sites reviewed.
- The percentage of women who are television news directors edged up, reaching 30 percent for the first time. Overall employment of women in TV news, however, remains flat.
The need for parity in the media is vast, especially for the older women that have paved the way. One researcher recently found that a lifetime of learning leads people to make greater breakthroughs between ages 55-65. Data from the Kauffmann Foundation backs that up: people over 55 are almost twice as likely to found successful companies as people between 20 and 34.
We have a lot to learn from one another personally and professionally. An older woman has experiences, insights, and wisdom that can help younger generations break through barriers and step into an empowered life. We need to celebrate her wisdom and learn from these leading women in the media. The rewards and benefits of sharing will empower us all, and help make this a better world.