Clearly older women and especially older women who have led an

The words of Alice Walker, poet, prophet, and chronicler of the human soul, shine with reverence for those who walk before us: “Clearly older women and especially older women who have led an active life or elder women who successfully maneuver through their own family life have so much to teach us about sharing, patience, and wisdom.” In this statement, she calls our eyes toward the elder women, the keepers of memory, the weavers of family, and the silent pillars upon which communities stand. She tells us that in their quiet strength lies a treasure of teaching that cannot be found in books or machines, but only in lives well-lived.

The meaning begins with experience, for time itself is a teacher. Older women who have walked long roads, whether in the struggles of labor, the nurturing of families, or the trials of society, carry within them lessons etched by both joy and sorrow. They have borne burdens and celebrated triumphs, and thus embody the virtues of sharing, patience, and wisdom. These are not skills learned in haste, but truths seasoned by years, offered freely to those willing to listen.

The origin of Walker’s insight lies in her heritage and her art. Born in the American South, she was shaped by the voices of mothers, grandmothers, and women of her community who endured hardship and yet gave generously of spirit. In works like The Color Purple, Walker portrayed the sacred resilience of women who, despite oppression, cultivated wisdom and nurtured love across generations. Her reverence for older women was born not of theory, but of witness — seeing their sacrifices, their strength, and their healing presence.

History bears many shining examples of this truth. Consider Sojourner Truth, the formerly enslaved woman who, in her elder years, stood before great crowds to speak of justice, freedom, and equality. Her age did not diminish her power; it deepened her authority, for she carried the weight of lived experience. Or think of Eleanor Roosevelt, who, even after years as First Lady, continued in her elder years to shape the conscience of the world through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These women remind us that age does not silence — it amplifies, when paired with courage and grace.

Walker also points to the often-overlooked labor of women within family life. To navigate the complexities of raising children, supporting partners, and sustaining households requires patience as steady as a river. In these hidden acts, elder women embody endurance and creativity, teaching future generations how to balance sacrifice with love. What may seem small — the preparing of meals, the mediating of conflicts, the tending of the sick — are in truth profound acts of wisdom, passed on quietly yet powerfully.

The lesson for us is to seek out these elders and to listen deeply. Too often, modern society idolizes youth, speed, and innovation, dismissing the slow and steady wisdom of those who came before. Walker warns against this blindness, urging us to honor the voices of our mothers and grandmothers, to sit at their feet and gather the truths they have harvested over lifetimes. By doing so, we receive not only knowledge, but also the grounding of spirit that keeps communities strong.

Practical actions emerge clearly. Spend time with the elder women in your family or community. Ask questions, and listen not with impatience but with reverence. Carry their stories forward, so their sacrifices do not fade into silence. Practice sharing, learn patience, and seek wisdom not only in books but in the lived examples of those who endured before you. In doing so, you not only honor them, but you anchor yourself in truths that will guide you when storms arise.

Thus, let Alice Walker’s words echo across the ages: the elder women are living libraries, guardians of patience, vessels of wisdom. To neglect them is to lose our roots, but to cherish them is to inherit strength beyond measure. Let us drink from their well of experience, and in turn, pass that water of wisdom to the generations yet to come.