WHO IS JANE CHIHAL AND WHERE DID SHE GET THESE CRAZY IDEAS?

I am a retired, 56 year old, gynecologist with a specialty certification in hormonal disorders (reproductive endocrinology). Unfortunately arthritis has forced me to stop practicing medicine. For the last twelve years of my practice, I mainly worked with women who were having negative symptoms from menopause and women with other hormonal issues such as polycystic ovarian syndrome. I enjoyed my practice and the interaction I had with some very interesting women. However, I was continually impressed with the negative way in which some women approached the menopausal transition.

The ideas for SilverShadows started when my children were young. Both of my sons enjoyed such super heroes as Batman and Wolverine. It was easy to find posters for their rooms, comics, games etc. I thought their younger sister needed some super heroes for her room but quickly found that those items were difficult to find. I did find a composite poster of Wonder Woman, Super Girl, and Cat Woman that I framed for her room. I still have a picture of Lauren at 5 years old in her Wonder Woman outfit including blue boots flying down our front sidewalk. She has never looked back and still has some of that Wonder Woman attitude today as a college student. Lauren has never even considered the possibility that being female in any way limits her options in life. I liked her poster so much I framed one for my own private office at work. The nurses thought I was nuts.

I began to notice that older women in our society don’t have many positive images. Where are the older female super heroes? Where is the positive older woman in our mythology? I like the Miss Marple mystery stories, but are they the best we can do for a strong, older female image? There are women on TV and the movies now who may be described as heroes but, with rare exception, they are under 35 years old.

I started for my own amusement playing with a story line about menopausal female super heroes. I think it is important for us as older women to foster a positive image. We have a lot to offer to ourselves, our family and our society. We need to be the best we can be physically, mentally and spiritually. By the time you reach 50, you have conquered many challenges. Some of us have even lived successfully through having teenaged children. Having a fantasy model to integrate into our reality is a good thing.

Besides, it is fun! I have had a good time writing adventure stories about the women of SilverShadows. I hope you enjoy getting to know them and traveling with them on their journeys. Please send me your ideas and comments. I want to hear from you.

We all can be super heroes in our own way.

H. Jane Chihal, M.D., Ph.D.

Click here if you want to read my professional credentials.

May All Your Shadows Be Silver