It’s October.   It’s a scary time in America.

If ever the time was here for a strong wise older woman, it is now.  In other cultures and in other times, ladies-of-a-certain-age – crones,  if you will – were revered and their wisdom sought.

Straggly trees, a full moon, standing stones jutting from the earth, cairns (burial hills), come to mind this month as historically the dead, and harvest were honored.  Older Women in most cultures were sought after for guidance and knowledge.

In America, I do not see Older Women – or women and girls, for that matter – valued.

I am pissed as H E Double Toothpick!  I am tired of being invisible.  I am tired of being ignored.  I know change is possible because I still have scabs on my head from knocking on glass ceilings before I retired. Yes, we’ve come a long way baby; but I believe women our age still and now need to stand up and help lead our country to a path were both sexes are valued.

In ancient Ireland grandmas were respected.  The Great Goddess was worshipped in her various life stages:  Child, Mother and Crone.   I wrote about this in my “Power of Grandmas” blog after a trip to this enchanted land.

The story came to mind of Black Moon Lilith, told to me a couple of years ago by a friend who teaches about the ancient Jewish tradition of mystical interpretation of the Bible, Kabbalah.  I did not remember all of the details; but, what I remembered was perfect for the points I want to make in this blog.

The story goes that Black Moon Lilith was the first wife of Adam!  She came from the same clay as Adam – not his rib!  When he insisted on sexual intercourse with him on top, she rebelled.  She was not going to be neither submissive nor subservient.  She left Adam and went out into the world and made it on her own.

My friend explained that this is the rebellious power that has driven women to lead in many cultures throughout the ages and the very power that we have witnessed in our lifetime, feminism.

I think it is easy at this age to say, “Oh, well – why speak up? After all – unlike us at their age – our daughters are educated, employed and leaders in many fields. They even have credit cards and their names are on the titles of houses and utility bills. ”

But, are they paid the same as men?  Are they still subject to sexual, physical and verbal abuse? Are they called derogatory names by the current leader of our country? Are their daughters – our granddaughters – being taught that you can do what you want, go where you want to go, have responsibility for their  finances and that home, and land and food and air are critical to our survival? Do we let them know that age is attractive, too?  Older women are beautiful and don’t need to color their hair unless they want to or wear clothes styles designed for females under the age of 20? Do we tell them to question medical professionals who want to give them prescriptions “to keep them ”looking  good” and restrain the natural effects of aging”?

Do we talk to our daughters and granddaughters about “not so long ago” we did not have credit in our names, were restricted to certain professions, we’re automatically told how and where we would give birth and how we would handle menopause?  Do we teach them how to garden and fish and pitch a tent and walk 10 miles?  Have we asked them to join us in women’s’ marches across this land.  Have we asked them if they have voted yet?

Have we given them the message that they can run this country with dignity and honor and respect for all people?

Yes, we’ve come a long way Baby!  But the events of this month – so visible in so many mediums – show us we have a long way to go!  Sorry, it is not time for the rocking chair; but time to be a rock of wisdom and motivation.

One thing we can do right now is vote!