Crones United
More Powerful Together
Photo of contributing authors, from the 2019 launch party for
Aphrodite’s Pen: The Power of Writing Erotica after Midlife
Women really do become more radical with age. We have outgrown the myths, we have graduated from bullshit. And we find each other. We become the Secret Hag Mutual Support System.
We were taught to make nice. Some of us are done with that. Fair enough. But we can turn that making-nice on one another and make magic, like this:
The Age-Wise Collective
A group of 50+ women podcasters just formed The Age-Wise Collective. As podcaster Wendy Battles, SSAP says in her announcement, “This is what power sounds like.” Damn right.
Once a month, I gather with this powerful group of women 50+ — the Age-wise Collective, a community of podcasters who are flipping the script on aging.
We talk about our shows, collaboration, visibility, and how to amplify the stories that don’t get enough airtime.
Because here’s the truth: the dominant narrative says older women are “past our prime.”
We say, watch us rise.
We are in our 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond. Some members are over 80, actively hosting smart, thought-provoking podcasts.
We're creating content that inspires, informs, and connects.
We're living proof that reinvention has no expiration date.
And we’re building audiences full of engaged listeners — people who want to invest in their growth, healing, and purpose at every age.
This is what possibility looks like.
This is what power sounds like.
—Wendy Battles
Crone Authors Together
Don’t brag, they told us.
Be demure, they said.
Oh yeah? We said, Just watch us.
At Crone Authors Together, a hundred 60+ writers get together once a month to share ideas and successes at (gasp!) marketing our books. We review each other, promote each other, publish guest blogs from each other. And there’s always room for one more.
Crone Authors Together (CAT) is a collaborative circle for women authors who want to reach readers and build audiences.
We gather monthly online to share what works: reader outreach, launch strategies, and marketing ideas. We solve problems, celebrate wins, and build community with each other and our readers. Please join us and share your voice!
—The Registration Page for CAT on the Grandmothers Collective website
Because here’s the thing:
Do readers who enjoy my Well-Seasoned Romance want to stop there? Of course not. They want to read yours too. We’re all better off when we praise one another.
You can bet there are more Crone Guilds out there, or will be soon: A Crone Artists guild. A Crone Scientists guild. You name it, and it can happen.
And then there is the ultimate: A worldwide Crone consortium. A Guild of Crone Guilds.
Global Crones Together
“Grandmother Collective’s network organizations span diverse geographies, issue areas, demographics, and ideologies, demonstrating that the power of older women to drive positive change knows no boundaries. We believe that the meaningful contributions of grandmothers and older women can be felt both at the grassroots level and on the international stage. Organizations in Grandmother Collective’s network highlight the myriad ways these women advocate for and advance positive development, fostering a world where the greatest number of people can thrive and lead meaningful, connected, and purpose-filled lives.
We bring together grandmother-centered organizations for peer support, new ideas, networking, and mutual collaboration and learning.”
Grandmothers for a Better World
Grandmother Collective builds and connects a world community to elevate, support, and activate elder women as a powerful positive force. We envision a world where the power of elder women is visible and valued.
You Can See it All Around You
Yes, it’s happening. Crone community is building, like tree roots connecting underground.
Women creating Golden Girl houses. Women writing television series like Riot Women, where a crew of Crones starts a punk band and sings about HRT. Even my unfolding series about a coven of ethical crone vampires.
Crones are powerful and even more so when we band together.
Now, Imagine…
Imagine growing up with Maleficent the scary and wicked.
Now imagine that she’s a badass and just another of your hag friends.
Father doesn’t know best. Grandma does.
For more on the blossoming culture of Crones, including organizations that lift up women over fifty, visit CroneHub.org, here.
Or you can buy me a cup of tea. That’s lovely too.
And for more reflections on life after sixty, check out my latest book, Rock On: Power, Sex and Money after 60. On order from your local bookstore or at all the online places. Better yet: Buy the e-book direct from Stella, here.
I love this! I so believe the world needs the wisdom of women more than ever! Thanks for sharing this