#Matrenaissance #Adjacent Doors #Jennifer Brubaker

Embracing Renewal: The 50/50 Matrenaissance Project

In exciting news for women navigating their 50s and beyond, the 50/50 Matrenaissance Project has just launched, inviting individuals to share their transformative stories of renewal after the age of 50. Located ideally in the heart of Wilmington, North Carolina, this six-month storytelling initiative aims to shift the narrative around midlife, portraying it not as a decline, but as a vibrant time filled with potential and reinvention.

Created by Jennifer Brubaker, Ph.D., a respected public scholar and communication studies professor, the project is an evolution of her broader work on Matrenaissance—a term she coined to describe the rebirth of modern women in midlife. Through her insights, encapsulated in her book Reframe the Moment and the Reframing Me podcast, Brubaker has been deeply exploring the ways in which women can utilize storytelling and community dialogue to reshape their identities during this significant life stage.

Brubaker emphasizes that, “At its core, Matrenaissance is about giving language to change.” Many women find themselves at midlife realizing they have spent years managing the narratives of others. This initiative serves as a platform for these women to reclaim their stories, presenting their journeys of self-discovery and empowerment. The project employs a unique framework called the ReFRAME model, which encompasses six phases: Recognize, Feel, Reflect, Articulate, Move, and Embody. This structured process encourages participants to acknowledge their experiences, embrace their emotions surrounding change, reflect on their purposes, articulate new truths, and take action towards a renewed self-identity.

As Brubaker herself marks her 50th birthday this April, she expresses a personal and cultural mission in launching this initiative: “We celebrate ‘30 Under 30’ and ‘40 Under 40’ lists as if a woman's influence expires with youth. But the process of reinvention after 50 requires a different kind of courage. Midlife women are not fading away; we are stepping into visibility, and it is crucial for the world to recognize that.”

The 50/50 Matrenaissance Project successfully creates a space where women can redefine what it means to age gracefully, positioning themselves not as