"I think menopause is a portal to the next iteration of yourself," says Omisade Burney-Scott. "We're still emergent; it doesn't matter how old you get, there is no shelf life on being emergent." Omi, 55, spent much of her career in the social justice space — advocating for gender, racial, voter and reproductive rights. She also served as a death doula, helping friends and loved ones to transition. Omi was in the business of helping others, but after the sudden death of her brother, the loss of her job and the destruction of her hometown in a flood, she was the one who needed a little help. Thanks to the emotional and financial support of friends, Omi had the chance to take a year off and envision what she wanted the next chapter of her life to look like. The result: In 2019, she launched her monthly podcast, @blackgirlsguidetomenopause. From that grew in-person (pre-pandemic) and virtual (post-pandemic) events that brought hundreds of people together to speak their truths and explore ways in which they could heal physically, emotionally and spiritually. @omisadeburneyscott's podcast provides a multigenerational safe space to discuss topics that we so often experience alone or process internally — like menopause. "Menopause is one of those portals that we kind of enter into that’s uncharted territory," Omi says. "When we emerge on the other side, we are absolutely transformed, for better or for worse. And you deserve support, you deserve kindred, you deserve friends, you deserve people who are journeying as well to talk about what they know, to talk about what they’re experiencing." (1/2) 📸 by: @madelinepgray This story originally appeared in AARP's @sistersletter. Read more at the link in our bio.