Why We Started
Mid-Life Women

Mid-Life Women began as a passion project during the COVID-19 pandemic. As we navigated a global health crisis, economic uncertainty, and a racial justice reckoning, we witnessed how women 50 and beyond were facing an even deeper challenge—one that sits at the heart of so many others: loneliness and isolation.

This became a call to connection.

We recognized how essential human connection is at this stage of life—not only to help us weather difficult times, but to reweave our social fabric together. Nurturing relationships and meaningful connection are vital as we navigate today’s world and imagine what’s possible for ourselves moving forward.

Our origin grew from one simple idea: to use storytelling as a way to connect and to revolutionize the culture around women and aging. By sharing our stories, we spark conversation, deepen understanding, and inspire action across the many roles and spaces we inhabit.

Since we must be heard to be seen, storytelling is a powerful place to begin. It helps ignite a shared understanding and collective consciousness that opens us to new possibilities. From there, it becomes up to us to imagine—and create—the steps needed to truly build the lives we are yearning for.

The complexity and severity of the challenges we face at 50 and beyond can feel overwhelming. But when we bring empathy, mutuality, vulnerability, and curiosity into our connections, something shifts. We feel seen. We feel validated. We feel understood.

Join us. Let’s stand tall together—to see, hear, and understand one another. When connection and self-care are placed at the center of everything we do, the benefits for ourselves, our families, and our work are beyond measure.

Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can’t remember who we are or why we’re here.

Sue Monk Kidd (The Secret Life of Bees)

A Personal Note from Orly

Life is a profound journey, filled with both highs and lows. Each sunrise, the comforting aroma of morning coffee, the joy of founding a company, witnessing my daughter’s wedding, the birth of my grandaughter, and hearing my son call me one of his best friends—all of these moments weave together to shape my story.

Challenges, pain, and setbacks have been part of that journey as well. They have taught me resilience, the beauty of healing, and the power of perseverance. The scars left behind are reminders not of hardship alone, but of survival, growth, and gratitude. In life’s brightest moments, they keep me grounded and remind me never to take anything for granted.

I wish you strength, joy, and good health on your journey ahead.

Orly Benaroch Light

Founder, Mid-Life Women

Orly Benaroch Light wears many hats: an expert in the travel and tourism industry, a spirited entrepreneur, a torchbearer for women’s empowerment, a fervent human rights defender, a children’s book author, a gourmet aficionado, and above all, a dedicated mother.

Facing Ageism Head-On

At 50, the subtle undertones of gendered ageism came knocking on Orly’s door. The veils of invisibility, negative stereotypes, and discrimination that society often assigns to mature women attempted to define her. Rather than succumb, Orly embraced the rich tapestry of her life. Energized by the growth and maturity of her children, she looked ahead with a clear vision to thrive in mid-life and beyond. Unyielding in her resolve, she chose to remain at the forefront, defining herself by her values and contributions.

Reinvention and Resilience

Orly’s journey has been nothing short of transformative. Through determination and persistence, she broke through barriers to establish an all-female continuing medical education enterprise, becoming its sole female founder. Following its successful acquisition, her thirst for growth led her back to academia. Her passion projects have included empowering women toward equality, advocating for peace in the Middle East, and even taking to the skies through flying lessons.

Currently, she is channeling her creativity into a children’s fantasy adventure picture book designed to instill principles of gender equality and inclusion in young minds, set to grace bookshelves in February 2026.

Empowering Mid-Life Women

At the heart of Orly’s work is a mission to uplift and rally mid-life women. Through the platform Mid-Life Women, she offers a welcoming space where women can challenge ageism while sharing stories of resilience, wisdom, and practical tools for holistic well-being. Recognizing the shared challenges of this life stage, Orly believes deeply in the collective power of women standing together.

In her own words, “We’re not done yet!”

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Mid-Life Influencers

Kimberlé Crenshaw

Shannon Watts

Melinda French Gates

Kimberlé is a law professor at Columbia University and UCLA. She runs the African American Policy Forum, the social justice think tank she cofounded 25 years ago,
and hosts a podcast on a term she coined: intersectionality. She was a founder and has been a leader in the intellectual movement called Critical Race Theory. CRT critiques how the social construction of race and institutionalized racism perpetuate a racial caste system that relegates people of color to the
bottom tiers.

Shannon Watts is a mother of five who,
prior to founding Moms Demand Action,
was a stay-at-home mom and former communications executive. The day after
the Sandy Hook tragedy, Shannon started
the grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that protect people from gun violence. Watts
is also an active board member of Emerge America, one of the nation’s leading organizations for recruiting and training women to run for office, and Advance Peace.

In addition to maintaining her position as
co-chair of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, French Gates founded Pivotal Ventures in 2015, which works toward
efforts like paid leave for all, access to
mental healthcare for LGBTQ+ youth and
kids of color, and increasing the number of women in politics. Melinda is also the author of the bestselling book The Moment of Lift,
in which she introduces readers to the inspiring women she has met during her
work and travels around the world and
shares her own journey to becoming an advocate for women and girls.

María Elvira Salazar

Hali Li

Ruth Lande Shuman

Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar
proudly represents Florida’s 27th Congressional District, passionately serving the people of South Florida.Congresswoman Salazar is a five-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, and is well-known for her advocacy for Human Rights and democracy around the world, especially for the people of Cuba,Venezuela, Bolivia, and Nicaragua, Israel and Colombia.

Hali is a Co-Founder of the Donors of Color Network (the first national network of high net wealth donors of color) and was part
of the co-design team that birthed Philanthropy Together (a national effort to strengthen and scale the collective giving movement). She also founded the Asian Women Giving Circle which has moved
over a million dollars to supports arts a
nd activism.

Ruth is the founder of Publicolor, a
not-for-profit innovative educational youth development organization that empowers students facing immense life challenges for academic and career success through a multi-year project-based continuum of programs. Publicolor makes a difference
at so many different levels. Kids get desperately needed mentorship and opportunities. This is a special program
that is making a difference.

Why We Started Mid-Life Women