THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 28, 1996 TAG: 9610250036
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 26 lines
The tasteless editorial cartoon Oct. 3 featured older women under hair dryers, weeping over the marriage of JFK Jr. How was this funny/ironic/thought-provoking? This cartoon was a last straw for me.
To be an older woman in the U.S. is to be looked down on, made fun of and mocked. On TV we have zip-lock bags full of gravy held over our heads, toilets to be cleaned, hair to be colored, lines to be erased and pouches to be tucked.
Eleanor Roosevelt was an example of an older woman who experienced mockery on the highest level before respect came her way. Katharine Hepburn is respected for her life and career - hold a bag of gravy over her feisty head and see what happens. And, my goodness, look who just came back from a record-setting journey in space - 53-year-old Shannon Lucid.
The beauty of older women radiates from their mellowness, historical connections, intelligence and sense of humor. Let's raise the level of respect due to them.
FRAN ADAMS
Virginia Beach, Oct. 6, 1996 by CNB