However, while men are often considered “silver foxes,” I wonder why women aren’t called “silver vixens” (a female fox). Yes, “vixen” can have a bit of a racy connotation, but I think the answer goes deeper.

There’s currently a controversy brewing in Canada about a popular TV journalist, Lisa LaFlamme, who was abruptly dismissed from her job when she let her hair go au naturale. The award-winning broadcaster had worked for CTV News for 35 years. Now 58, she may find it difficult to land another high-profile TV gig.

LaFlamme made headlines when she stopped dying her hair in 2020. During a special year-in-review broadcast, she told viewers that the pandemic had prevented her from visiting her hairstylist, and she was tired of spraying her roots each day before going on air. “Why bother? I’m going gray,” she said. “Honestly, if I had known the lockdown could be so liberating on that front, I would have done it a lot sooner.” While women applauded her, the male execs at her network privately condemned her decision, which may have led to her losing her job a couple of years later. The gender and generational gap sadly lives on.

We are fortunate to have broadcast journalist and former CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien joining me for an MEA fireside chat on October 5 from 12:30-1:30 pm PST. I look forward to asking her about her experience with ageism and sexism during her career. You can sign up for this free event at THIS LINK.