Midlife: Options for Women (Organization).

Midlife: Options for Women originated from discussions between social workers Joan Weiss and Marybelle Cochran, who saw a need for a resource and support center where middle-aged women could pool their experiences and expertise. The group's first meeting was held on November 7, 1985, and the center, in Brookline, Massachusetts, opened on January 23, 1986. Midlife incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1988, and in 1989 held the first-ever forum for midlife women, titled Self-esteem in Midlife. The organization held annual forums from 1989 to 1993, with a final forum in 1996; the forums featured keynote speakers, panel discussions, and morning and afternoon sessions on specific topics. Midlife's other activities included brown bag lunches, affiliated interest groups on a variety of topices, a shared housing and resource exchange, daytime and evening discussion and support groups, a Sunday brunch group, and a stock club. The organization also published a newsletter. Midlife disbanded in 1998.