A Woman’s Worst Enemy
Other women
I’m enjoying a glass of wine with friends. The woman next to me is a noted art historian and lecturer in her 60s. I mention that I have a friend who is also an art historian and lecturer. I say that she’s been teaching at the same university for too long and wants a change. I ask this successful woman if she has some career advice.
She asks my friend’s age. I say she’s early to mid 50s. The woman replies:
That’s too bad. As you were speaking, I was thinking of a number of people I might introduce her to but I’m afraid she’s too old.
I do not spit out my wine.
Indeed, at the time, I think little of it. It’s two days later when I tell the story to my friend Robin that the woman’s words sink in.
Robin replies:
That’s outrageous! I mean from a certain perspective what she says is true. A lot of people feel that way. But it’s certainly not a perspective we as women need to buy into!
A middle-aged woman’s worst enemy isn’t her age or her insecurities, nor even her fatalistic sense that her best days are behind her…
