I had the great pleasure of connecting with just such women earlier this week: Tomatoes in the Trenches. They’re a bicoastal group who’ve joined forces to present a “lively gabfest for smart women over 40” on Blog Talk Radio. Each Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. Eastern and 10:00 a.m. Pacific, they interview fascinating women—from celebrities like Shelly Fabares to experts on film, food, design, and more.

The East Coast contingent is composed of three lively ladies from New York who grew weary of being overlooked by marketers choosing to lavish their attention on the size zero, barely post-pubescent set. Being trailblazing baby boomers and unwilling to be sidelined, they’d had enough of the invisibility factor. So these midlife tomatoes decided to create their own newsletter where they provide the real skinny on the best of everything in NYC. And they have standards! Whatever they promote has to pass muster at the “Three Tomato” review panel.

The West Coast is represented by an amazing group of women I’ve written about several times on Feisty Side of Fifty. In the Trenches Productions was launched by four actresses who’d had enough of the ageist, sexist attitude of Hollywood. So, like their East Coast counterparts, they decided to take the bull by the horns and do something about the “ignored audience” on their own. Using the hormonal chutzpah menopause gifts us, they went about creating the first entertainment network for women over 40 on the web. Their productions are geared right at our interests, our issues, and us, and you’ll find humor and insight in each and every one of their fabulous films.

I was both fortunate and honored to be interviewed by Tomatoes in the Trenches about the best methods for landing a job when you’re fifty and over. It’s tough out there these days, but if you know the latest and most effective techniques to successfully compete in today’s job market, you’re halfway there. And there are huge benefits to being an older applicant—you just need to learn the tips and tools for turning your age into an advantage. So please give their show a listen and check out what you can do to distinguish yourself from the crowd of jobseekers and move your search forward quickly and on target.

And most especially, as baby boomer women who are all tomatoes in the trenches, let’s look out for one another and call a halt to the invisibility factor once and for all!

Nevertheless, there is one large and formidable bastion that has yet to acquiesce to our demand for visibility. Hollywood is still caught up in the male fantasy of the nubile twenty-something-year-old paired with the aging and oh-so-commanding hero. Yes, there have been some cracks in the movie moguls’ glass ceiling. There are shows like “Cougar Town” (starring an actress in her mid forties) and a smattering of older actresses do appear on the small screen. But, if it weren’t for Meryl Streep, Diane Keaton, and Helen Mirren, we’d be hard pressed to find many wrinkles gracing the faces of female leads on the silver screen.

As distressing as this might be, just like Dylan sang way back when, “the times they are a-changin’.” And we owe much of this change to one feisty group of actresses who decided to take matters into their own hands. Led by Debbie Zipp, the ladies from In the Trenches Productions are in the business of reflection. They are reflecting the faces of gals over fifty back at us—not the botoxed, pulled back, waxen-like super Hollywood variety—real faces with laugh lines, crinkles, and age spots.

Their films run the gamut from touching to informative to hilarious. I have several favorites but my all time #1 is “Believe It Baby!” Be sure and stop by their amazing site and take some time to view the incredible films they offer. They’re all free (a true public service and a cause each of us will want to support). I promise you’ll come away from the experience entertained, renewed, and empowered—the furthest thing from feeling invisible.

Debbie and her colleagues are true heroines in my book. They’ve started a grass roots movement to take on tinsel town and, step-by-step, film-by-film, they’re succeeding in putting our faces front and center. So movie moguls—beware! We older gals are on the move and there’s a lot of heat to be generated by a group of menopausal broads on a mission. In fact, I think I can smell your tinsel melting already. Go get ‘em, Debbie!

Like Debbie, I want to see a woman with a wrinkle or two grace the silver screen. Let’s watch our heroine search around and wonder where she left her bifocals. Let’s hear her grunt when she gets up, moan about her aching back, and then go on to conquer the world as only those blessed with menopausal zest and old broad chutzpah can do!

Thankfully, Debbie isn’t waiting around for those wet-behind-the-ears producers to realize we boomers are a huge audience  (they don’t call us the population bulge for nothing) who’ve been underserved for years. She and her friends have created a slew of short films that will have you laughing in recognition at the fun and foibles of growing older. One of my favorites is their “Dirty Little Secret.” Watch it and see if you if you relate!

And for a great read that also covers the land of movies and moguls, be sure and check out Jane Adams’ fabulous new novel, Sugar Time. The heroine, Sugar Kane, epitomizes the feisty side of fifty in all her aging glory. After an absence of 20 years, she’s about to bring in a hit TV show but has to battle the Hollywood machine that’s alive and well behind the camera, too. Aside from that, Sugar deals with issues we all face as older women and does it with humor, sass, and a decidedly sexy side we never see in novels about women our age. Listen to our interview and you’ll hear Jane tell you all about her saucy heroine and her amazing story.

Through the creative efforts of Debbie, Jane, and others, the word is finally getting out. At long last, Hollywood, take notice! We gals over fifty are flashing hot, more outspoken than ever before, and we want our due. And we’re more than 38 million strong. So, you sleepy heads in La La Land—the alarm is ringing and it’s about time you wake up and smell the Geritol!

The short films you’ll find there will grab you in ways no others can, because they’re reflections of the fun and foibles of growing older. You’ll see your own face looking back at you: a few lines, a few grey hairs, and a sense of confidence and zest for life you can only achieve at midlife. Some of the films are serious, but most are old broad bawdiness at its best. (Menopause must beef up the funny bone because we gals are letting it all hang out like never before!)

It’s hard to pick my favorites but I must make special mention of “Debbie’s Hair,” “Living Large on Less” and “Girl Tox.” They each had me laughing so hard I needed to run to the cupboard for a fresh pair of Depends! “Believe it Baby!” had tears of joy, recognition, and laughter running down my cheeks simultaneously. Check them out for yourselves and you’ll see what I mean.

In true female fashion, Debbie and her friends are adding even more to the site: they’re making it a welcoming showcase for others. In the “Films By You!” section, you’ll find more classic gems that share tips, stories, or just plain fun.

I had a blast interviewing Debbie on Feisty Side of Fifty Radio. She shared her epiphany at five years old, her early acting experiences, and her reasons behind creating In the Trenches Productions. So take a listen to a woman with warmth, humor, courage, and drive. Debbie and her friends are taking on the big boys in Hollywood and I’m betting my money on them!

My husband recently had cataract surgery. This is now, thankfully, a relatively simple process and the actual operation lasts only twenty to thirty minutes. It’s performed as an outpatient procedure and I was able to sit with him while they prepped him. They put him on a gurney, added an IV and, shortly before the surgery, the anesthesiologist injected something into the tube to help him relax. During the actual event, I know he was given some type of drug that allowed him to remain conscious but not remember anything. (At least, that’s how I believe it was.) As we left the hospital, the nurse handed him some eye drops.

A few weeks later, we received a bill for “outpatient drugs.” This did not include the bill for the hospital, the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, or any other service—just those few drugs and drops he was given. The amount came to something over $14,000! This is no exaggeration and it is  INSANE!!!

Whatever your opinion, please take a couple of minutes to watch an important and riveting video. (You’ll find it on In the Trenches Productions at the top left of the page.) It’s by Debbie Zipp, actress, advocate for women over forty, and a mom. She talks about her son who’s been ill for a number of years and the need for healthcare reform. I know you’ll feel the emotion behind her words. (If you scroll down on this same site, you’ll see a video of yours truly talking about turning your age into an advantage when looking for work.)

Also, today is Feel Teal Friday—an international recognition of the need for aggressive research on Ovarian Cancer. The movement is being spearheaded by Debbie Stevens, an Australian woman who lost her mum to the disease. Modern medicine has produced screening tests for breast and cervical cancer that have saved many lives. To date, there is not yet one to detect Ovarian Cancer. By the time symptoms do occur, it’s often too late. Join Rick Finch, former member of the K.C. & the Sunshine Band, who is supporting this wonderful cause by creating a special video. You can also make a donation, which would be much appreciated.

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!