About

OWL is a national grassroots membership organization that focuses solely on improving the status and quality of life for midlife and older women. OWL educates and advocates for:
Economic Security
Health Reform
Quality of Life
Mental Health Care

History of OWL
Tish Sommers & Laurie Shields begin a movement
“Me Retired? I’ve Just Begun to Fly!” was the slogan Tish Sommers adopted when she began to organize older women in the 1970s. She chaired the NOW Task Force on Older Women; organized the Displaced Homemaker campaign, first in California and then nationally; published a series of Gray Papers on issues like housing, Social Security, pensions, health insurance and employment.
In 1975, at age 55, Laurie Shields was unemployed and didn’t like it. When the two strong-headed women got together, a movement was started. This movement eventually came to be known as the Older Women’s League.
For a full history, click here.