Round-Up: Legislative Leaders, Storytellers Over 50, and Remembering Wendy Wasserstein

Power in the State House: The Associated Press reports that more women are moving into leadership roles in state legislatures – "This year, 58 female lawmakers were chosen as legislative leaders – senate presidents, house speakers, presidents pro tem – a 20 percent gain over last year’s 48 and more than double the female leaders in 2000, according to a count by the National Conference of State Legislatures." But women still hold only 23.5 percent of legislative seats, a ratio that has increased only slightly over the past decade.

Maintaining Her Own Image: The Washington Post’s Robin Givhan gives House Speaker Nancy Pelosi high praise for the "generous collection of scarves" Pelosi brought with her to the Middle East. "They allowed her to be respectful of the day’s hosts while maintaining her own public identity. She looked like herself and she maintained control of the visual message."

Story Time: Roni Bennett of Time Goes By has launched a new adjunct to her site — the Elder Storytelling Place. It’s for anyone age 50 and older with a story to tell. Here’s the announcement explaining the site’s purpose and submission guidelines.

The Jane Austen Makeover: "What did Jane Austen look like and why should we care?" asks Verlyn Klinkenborg in an essay about the makeover of Austen’s portrait and how it relates to her writing.

Growth of Women Entrepreneurs: "Fifty used to be old, but it’s not any more," Maxine Benson, co-founder of Everywoman, a resource and support service for women in business, tells The Guardian (UK). "You get to 45 and possibly you are only halfway through your working life. Women who have got years of experience have still got a lot of energy and feel passionate about using that."

A Double Standard for the Triply Wed: "[H]igh divorce rates and longer life spans are making third marriages more common and socially acceptable, sociologists, family therapists and divorce lawyers say," reports The New York Times, though some women say they are judged for it more harshly than men. 

Remembering Wendy: "The Heidi Chronicles," directed by Tazewell Thompson, is at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. (April 6 – May 13). The Washington Post has a story about the production and playwright Wendy Wasserstein, who died one year ago of lymphoma. "I was very frustrated with God because I didn’t understand why He’s taking the funny ones," said Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith. "Then I realized that there is probably a need for humor up in heaven."

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