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In Praise Of Older Women

February 23, 2018
by the gentle author

Contributing Photographer Chris Kelly sent me this glorious collection of  her pictures of older women from the East End and elsewhere, entitled In Praise Of Older Women after the book by the Hungarian writer Stephen Vizinczey.

“Iʼve taken many pictures of inspirational women over the years but these are among the ones that make me smile the most,” Chris told me, “I know nothing about the private lives of the people in these photographs, I only know that the characters were strong, determined and fun to be with.”

Peggy Metaxas & Rosie, Whitechapel, 2013

Members of All Saints Dance Club, Poplar, 2003

Members of All Saints Dance Club, Poplar, 2003

Older people from France on an exchange visit to Kent, 1993

Older people from France on an exchange visit to Kent, 1993

Kazia Cander, farmer, Northern Poland, 1984

Kazia Cander, farmer, Northern Poland, 1984

Community Centre, Southwick, East Sussex, 1985

Members of Maidstone CND at Greenham Common, 1983

Irene Livermore & Mary Christmas, Wapping Pensionersʼ Group, St Peterʼs Centre, 2003

Spectator at National Carriage Driving Championships, Windsor, 1983

Queenie Baxter, Connors House, Canterbury, 1993

Sheffield Pensioners Action Group at a rally in Manchester, 1988

Sheffield Pensioners Action Group at a rally in Manchester, 1988

Sheffield Pensioners Action Group member sells copies of Senior Citizen

Sheffield Pensioners Action Group members dress up to commemorate eighty years of Old Age Pensions

Spectators at Ascot Races, 1983

Fernande Bressy, wine producer, Rhône Valley, 1991

Irish Emma leading the bingo at St. Patrickʼs, Wapping

Methodist Centre, Bethnal Green, 2003

Bridie Murphy and Warden Anne Baine, Twinbrook Estate, Belfast, 1989

Anwara Begum, Cable St Community Gardens, 2012

Balkis Karim, Cable St Community Gardens, 2012

Administrator at North London Community Centre, 1998

Photographs copyright © Chris Kelly

You may like to take a look at these other photographs by Chris Kelly

Chris Kelly’s Columbia School Portraits 1996

Chris Kelly’s Cable St Gardeners

Chris Kelly’s Cable St Gardeners in Colour

Chris Kelly & Dan Jones in the Playground

7 Responses leave one →
  1. February 23, 2018

    Great photos! We oldies still have a lot to offer! Valerie

  2. Caroline Bottomley permalink
    February 23, 2018

    Excellent pictures!

    I remember SPAG – they came to everything!

  3. Kathleen Whalen permalink
    February 23, 2018

    I’ve enjoyed all the various portraits over the weeks, but perhaps because I am an older woman myself, I especially enjoyed these. Great stuff!

  4. February 23, 2018

    A bonanza of beauty. Fernande Bressy stopped me dead in my tracks. This photo is SO compelling, I felt that I had just come upon Ms. Bressy on that rural pathway and was about to exchange greetings with her. I imagine the reflection in her glasses, the fortitude of her pose, her strong hands rubbing the wooden cane, a roguish chuckle. How I would love to know her story.

    Wonderful!

  5. Jill permalink
    February 23, 2018

    Thank you, GA, for this bit of positive reinforcement. It was the little boost that this older woman needed before facing students this morning. TGIF!

  6. February 24, 2018

    Such a lovely mix of women from different social and ethnic groups and decades. So good to celebrate older women, so often overlooked.

    I think the French women in Kent are on the East Pier in Ramsgate. More of a harbour wall walk than an actual pier but a bracing and enjoyable stroll with great views of Ramsgate.

  7. Catherine permalink
    February 25, 2018

    I just got a moment to look at these wonderful photographs–makes me happy to be getting old!

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