Being a self-employed older woman: From discrimination to activism

Citation

Meliou E, Mallett O & Rosenberg S (2019) Being a self-employed older woman: From discrimination to activism. Work, Employment and Society, 33 (3), pp. 529-538. https://doi.org/10.1177/0950017018800235

Abstract
This article presents an autobiographical account of an older woman’s lived experience of self-employment. Little is known about women who experience ongoing self-employment into their 50s and beyond. Shoshanna’s personal narrative describes her experiences and the challenges she has faced as she reflects upon her attempts to grow and sustain her business and the implications of ageism and gender inequality in laying a claim to entrepreneurship. The narrative proceeds to reflect on her activist work, as it is constructed through the creation of a social enterprise to support older people. Shoshanna’s narrative provides valuable insights into the intersection of age and gender in self-employment moving from discrimination to active support.

Keywords
ageism; gender; late career; self-employment; social enterprise; technology; women entrepreneurs

Journal
Work, Employment and Society: Volume 33, Issue 3

People

Professor Oliver Mallett

Professor of Entrepreneurship, Management, Work and Organisation