Book celebrating women over 50 to be launched

“Start anywhere, finish anywhere! No need to attempt it cover to cover” is how the editor of Women Over 50: Celebrations, Lamentations and Knowingness Susan Wakhungu-Githuku recommends you read the book, which is set to be launched on Saturday, 28^th November.

The 50 women featured in the book are predominantly Kenyan, but their counterparts from Uganda, USA, Germany, Denmark, India, West Indies, United Kingdom and other countries also share their insights. Some of the prominent Kenyan personalities featured are thespian Mumbi Kaigwa , poet and performer Sitawa Namwalie , Jennifer Karina, known for her book "Marriage Built to Last" and musician Suzanne Gachukia.

“Society unfailingly tells women of a certain age that their ‘sell by’ date is past. Across most cultures the narrative is the same – with the piling of years, well magnified in greying or dyed crowns; children flying the coop; ensuing menopause, loss of once-svelte

silhouettes and faces sprinkling wrinkles, tomb bells apparently peal to welcome the soon-to-expire. But, what do the women themselves have to say about this damnation?” poses Susan, who compiled the stories and is also the editor and publisher.

“I wanted to know what makes them celebrate growing older and commiserate on it too. I wanted to hear their wisdom from days on the road, the songs that play in their heads and the words they repeat out aloud to themselves and others. I wanted to know what they knew for sure!” she adds.

The book is published by Footprints Press and will be available at a retail price of Sh 4, 000 at the launch set to happen at Zen Garden and in all major bookshops thereafter.