Thursday, October 9th, marks Ageism Awareness Day — and I celebrate it out loud.
Literally.
Because my favourite way to start a conversation about ageing isn’t with a lecture — it’s with a storytime. A book, a circle of kids, a few curious adults hovering nearby, and that familiar hush that falls when someone opens the first page.
The book I’ll be reading is A Kid’s Book About Ageism, published by the wonderful team at the Connecticut Age | Well Collaborative. It’s short, colourful, and beautifully direct — the kind of story that sneaks wisdom in between the bright illustrations.
When I read it aloud, the children hear:
“Be kind to older people.” Don’t assume that children can’t.
But the adults in the room hear something else entirely:
“Be kind to yourself.” Encouraging them to stop shrinking to fit someone else’s timeline.
That’s the magic of a good children’s book — two audiences, one truth:
See each other more clearly.
We all carry bias about age, often without even realizing it. We joke about “senior moments.” We call products “anti-aging,” as if getting older is something to fight off. We decide who’s too old or too young before they even speak.
But here’s the spicy secret:
“Old” isn’t elderly. “Old” isn’t frail. “Old” is experienced, evolving, and still learning new tricks.
“Old” isn’t elderly. “Old” isn’t frail. “Old” is experienced, evolving, and still learning new tricks. "
We all carry bias about age, often without even realizing it. We joke about “senior moments.” We call products “anti-aging,” as if getting older is something to fight off. We decide who’s too old or too young before they even speak.
But here’s the spicy secret:
“Old” isn’t elderly. “Old” isn’t frail. “Old” is experienced, evolving, and still learning new tricks.
These days, we live longer. We contribute longer. We’re still curious, still capable, and still craving what’s next.
I’ve met women in their seventies launching businesses, friends in their sixties learning TikTok, and grandmothers mentoring 20-somethings who teach them right back.
And yes — I’m one of them.
As a grandmother, an elder woman, and a lifelong storybook reader, I find my greatest joy in that shared spark of discovery. The laughter that ripples when a line in a children’s book hits a little too close to home. The moment a kid pipes up, “That’s not fair!” and an adult quietly nods, realizing the same thing.
That’s the spirit behind The Charlotte Affects — helping women in their second (and third) acts rediscover their radiance, claim their stories, and spark change in their communities.
We’re not “over the hill.” We’re standing right on top of it, waving our arms, saying come up here — the view’s fantastic!
So this Ageism Awareness Day, I’ll be reading aloud — for the kids, yes, but maybe even more for the grown-ups who still have a few things to unlearn.
Would you come to an all-ages Storytime?
I promise, it’s not just for the little ones. There’s a lesson (and a laugh) waiting for everyone.
Because ageing — like any good book — only gets more interesting with every chapter.
“Fighting ageism saves lives"
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