The Quiet Rebellion of Women Opening Textbooks Later in Life

From studying a bachelor's degree at 79, to defying traditional in-laws, Massey’s mature students empower new waves in education for women. 

Art / Luka Maresca

The word ‘student’ is synonymous with partying, mould-ridden flats and bucket loads of debt at 22. But these stereotypical students only take up less than half of Massey University’s population.  

62% of our university’s domestic students are 25 and over, and 65% are women. This is higher than any university in the country. Embedded in that population is a forgotten voice of our women who opened textbooks later in life. In fact, 1,177 women over 50 are currently enrolled at Massey.  

The ‘invisible woman’ trope marginalises older women both under the patriarchy and within classrooms. But within the quiet revolution growing at Massey lives women who balance their family life and degrees.  

Like Traceylee Hooton’s, who when her 50th birthday was getting close, she broke away from her in-law's pressure to abide by patriarchal standards.  

“My 50th birthday was looming, and I was like ‘if I’m going to make a change, I need to do it now.’”  

“I wanted to show my boy and girl that anything is possible for women whilst they are raising a family,” she says.   

Her decision to study was a reclamation of independence. But it was a delayed goal. In 1992, she left a degree unfinished due to mental health reasons, later owning an early childhood centre for 15 years.  

Traceylee felt pressure to abide by patriarchal standards, especially from her partner’s parents. “My husband’s parents live in a real patriarchal marriage, and I have to push back against that every time they come to stay with us.”  

“There's this underlying thread of ‘why you going are back to study, and how much is it costing?’”  

A study conducted this year by the University of Derby, found that patriarchal protocols in academic institutions do not make allowances for the responsibilities of women outside of study. Five female mature students in the study were reported to feel unsupported in balancing their home life and education by their partners and their extended family.  

But outside pressures isn’t the only thing that makes studying a challenge for mature women. That other big thing? Menopause.  

Traceylee says menopausal women need to take care of their bodies during study.

Students undergoing menopause are 21% more likely to experience heighted symptoms like hot flashes and brain fog under stress, according to a 2024 study by Swansea University. Due to stress induced menopausal symptoms, along with being primary carers, many women choose to not complete their studies.   

But after years of being a mama and primary nurturer, Traceylee decided to do something for herself. She says it was up to her whānau to step up in her household to make room for her studies. Now 52-years-old and studying a BA in Psychology, she wants to provide more adequate support to neuro-divergent tamariki. 

65-year-old Catherine Ann Vos grew up in a small town in South Africa and was a mechanic for 45 years before deciding to study at Massey. After she transitioned to a woman, she wanted to study Psychology to help other gender diverse individuals.  

Catherine’s smiles radiates as she shares her story of rediscovery and endurance. “With my changes from male to female, my whole outlook on life changed”, she says. “I saw things from a female’s perspective.” 

Her degree enhanced her volunteer work offering free counselling to gender diverse people and supporting suicide prevention groups.  

Unlike the other women studying to further their career, 79-year-old former dental nurse, Margaret Brosnahan, began studying to “keep the doctors away”. She keeps her brain busy with her creative writing.  

After leaving school at 15, Margaret says that university wasn’t an option for her, especially after she became a mother. And in her 50s, she thought she was too old to go and start a new career. 

But that mindset has changed, as Margaret is set to graduate at 84 with a Bachelor in English majoring in Creative Writing. She laughs about being a “bit lazy”, but wants to eventually write a novel. 

These women echo a philosophy that life and learning doesn’t end after children, marriage, transitioning and other career routes.  

Like womanhood, education isn’t linear.