Menopause is becoming increasingly spoken about in secular spheres, yet much of the faith community remains alarmingly silent, observes Arianna Walker. Jayne Manfredi’s new book, Waking the Women, will help plug the gap
I wrote a thesis last year investigating how women in leadership positions cope with menopause transition in the workplace, and as a result, I toyed with the idea of writing a book that would explore the intersection of Christian faith, menopause, and the wider construct of midlife transformation.
But it turns out I don’t need to…Jayne Manfredi has already done it, and done it brilliantly.
Waking the Women: Faith, Menopause and the Meaning of Midlife is empathetic, deeply personal, and witty (it has to be - going through menopause certainly requires a healthy sense of humour!)
More importantly, it’s empowering, creating a much-needed space for women to confront this often taboo subject, especially within the Church.
Manfredi blends personal narrative, theology, and social commentary to help the reader navigate the physical and emotional challenges of menopause through a spiritual lens. She doesn’t shy away from the raw realities of menopause, but addresses these with both sensitivity and camaraderie.
The book is timely, as menopause is becoming increasingly spoken about in secular spheres, yet generally, the faith community remains alarmingly silent. Jayne expertly integrates faith and spirituality into the discussion of these life changes, offering solidarity to women who may feel overlooked by the Church due to their age or life stage. This message is critical in calling for a Church that is more inclusive and understanding of women’s bodily experiences. As someone who has delivered menopause awareness seminars in organisations across almost every sector, I couldn’t agree more with her call for action, as churches still seem reluctant to step into the fray.
Manfredi encourages women to reframe this life stage, seeing it not as a loss, but as an opportunity to embrace new freedom and identity. The value of shared experience cannot be underestimated, and she stresses that sharing our stories can aid healing, connection, and help build a more inclusive church community.
I was particularly drawn to the chapter ‘Inviting Anger to Pull Up a Pew’ where the author encourages us to acknowledge and work through feelings of anger during menopause, framing it as part of our spiritual journey. I also found her discussion of the theological implications of ageing fascinating, especially in a culture that often dismisses older women.
While menopausal women are clearly the primary audience, the book doesn’t exclude men, especially those wanting to understand and support women going through menopause. Manfredi acknowledges that some men may be reading in order to better support loved ones. The experiences of women should be a concern for everyone – especially in so many of our churches, where women make up the majority of our congregations, yet leadership teams remain largely male-dominated.
If we are going to see real, tangible change in how midlife women are perceived by both the faith community and by themselves, then books like this cannot be only for the women concerned – they should be read by everyone.
Waking the Women: Faith, Menopause and the Meaning of Midlife by Jayne Manfredi (Canterbury Press) is available for pre-order now
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