From Booklist
Stereotypical images have portrayed black women as sexual objects in their youths and as nannies as they age. This collection of essays, fiction, and poems offers a variety of perspectives on black women in middle age (from their late 30s through their 50s) celebrating newfound freedom from pressure and the expectations placed on younger women. The 43 contributors, famous and obscure, include Nikki Giovanni, Alice Walker, Susan L. Taylor, Rita Dove, Terry McMillan, Gloria Naylor, Maya Angelou, and Pearl Cleage. These women explore the transition into middle age-- the emotional, psychological, professional, and physical changes--from career switches to widowhood to accepting childlessless. Sober essays warn of the rising incidences of sexually transmitted disease among the aging and the facts about the approach and onset of menopause. Poems and short stories evoke the renewed sense of self and sensuality in some women as they age. The collection is arranged in four sections: personal growth, health issues, relationships, and love.
Vanessa BushCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Product Description
Lead Me Home: An African American Guide Through the Grief Journey, and was a contributing editor for R.I.P.: The Complete Book of Death and Dying. She has written for various publications, including Mademoiselle, the Chicago Tribune, and BET.com, and lives in Denver, Colorado. "Reading this medley of wisdom, laughter, reflection and love is wonderfully satisfying." --Venise Berry, author of Colored Sugar Water "Provocative, poignant and passionate --captures black women in our glorious mid-years. As rich and satisfying as a warm dish of peach cobbler." -- Evelyn C. White, editor, The Black Women's Health Book "When I grow up I want to keep on growing! AGE AIN'T NOTHING BUT A NUMBER is my roadmap. Thank you my ageless sisters." --- Iyanla Vanzant, author of Every Day I Pray: Prayers for Awakening to the Grace of Inner Communion "Over the years, these women -- our writers -- have named our truths. With this important anthology, they rise once again and escort us into the next phase with beauty, wisdom, humor, love and, as always, style. What a gift!" --- Farah Jasmine Griffin, author of If You Can't Be Free, Be a Mystery: In Search of Billie Holiday Rather than support the unhealthy and negative attitudes toward age which are so common, Carleen Brice points us toward embracing the richness of who we are, and who we are becoming. This is a much needed collection, providing affirmation of womanhood and teaching us that contrary to the negative programming of our culture of youth, there is life after thirty that is valuable, meaningful, and even fun." -Johnetta B. Cole, President emerita at Spelman College, Professor emerita at Emory University, and current President of Bennett College
