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Project Renewment Helps Women Age in Stride
Bernice Bratter and Helen Dennis
 For the first time in history, millions of career women who strongly identify with their work are facing retirement. They are educated, skilled and successful, having achieved rewards beyond money. Because they are the first, there are few, if any, role models.
These women are from the Baby Boom and the generation preceding them. In Betty Friedan’s book The Feminine Mystique, such women asked, "Is this all there is?" Now they are asking the same question in their 50's, 60’s and 70's. Enter Project Renewment. The mission of Project Renewment (from "retirement" + "renewal") is to provide a forum for career women 55 years and older to use their strategic thinking, creativity and vision to create a future that is equally, if not more satisfying, than their previous working years. Project Renewment is three things: - It is a process and forum—one that engages highly effective women leaving the workforce and those recently retired to thoughtfully discuss and plan for the next chapter of their lives.
- It is a book—of 38 essays on topics important to consider and a guide on how to start and sustain a Project Renewment group (Project Renewment: The First Retirement Model for Career Women, Scribner 2008).
- It is a movement—consisting of a community of women’s groups where career women gather and pose questions about their next 30 years in an environment that is non-judgmental, supportive and creative.
Here are some questions they address: - How do you face feeling less productive when you no longer have your primary career to focus on?
- If you define yourself by your career, how do you form a new identity?
- If you love power, influence and making difference, how will that be expressed in retirement?
- How will you navigate aging in an anti-aging society?
- Where will you find passion outside of work?
Although men may face similar issues, their approach is different. Generally, they talk less or not at all. The first Project Renewment group started in 1999. By word of mouth, 11 such groups are now in Southern California, with more forming. Each has evolved into a small enduring community. Although we never planned for growth, a movement is emerging of like-minded women who want to create a future of their choice with intention, rather than by chance. And they are having a great time doing it! For more information, to learn more about Bernice and Helen, or to buy the book, see the Project Renewment website!
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