Description

About Bernadette Wagner: 

In her early-50’s Bernadette Wagner began studying the science of healthy aging. The scientific research confirmed what she had long suspected: when women get together, they are heathier, happier and better positioned to contribute to their communities. In 2018, she founded Prime Time for Women, Inc., a nonprofit, to celebrate, connect and empower women from diverse backgrounds and to encourage their exploration of new possibilities during the second half of life.

Growing up in a family of seven wonderful sisters with one incredible mother, she knows the power of strong, supportive female relationships and has benefited from them her entire life. Because of those relationships, she felt valued, needed and above all a tremendous sense of belonging. Bernadette founded Prime Time for Women so others, during the prime of life, could experience those same things.

Bernadette has always believed that women can attain far more together than what they can accomplish individually. For this reason, she seeks out opportunities to collaborate with other women, amplify their work and highlight their contributions.  Bernadette is honored and excited that Amanda Hart Miller, Professor of English at Hagerstown Community College and founder of Proof Rock-Developmental Editing and Publishing, contacted her to explore the possibility of collaborating on the first World Menopause Day Celebration in Washington County!  It’s amazing what women can accomplish when they connect over a shared vision.  As Barbara Mikulski, the longest-serving U.S. senator in Maryland History said, “Each one of us can make a difference. Together we make change.”

About Amanda Hart Miller:

Amanda Hart Miller has a Master of Arts in Fiction Writing from Johns Hopkins University, a Master of Publication Design (creative writing and graphic design) from University of Baltimore, and a Bachelor of English from Roanoke College. She works as a Professor of English at Hagerstown Community College, where she has taught creative writing and served as the faculty advisor for the Hedge Apple literary magazine for 15 years. Additionally, Amanda founded Proof Rock Developmental Editing and Publishing to offer emerging and established writers a variety of creative writing consulting services, developmental editing plans, and publishing services.

She is currently working on the 2026 Menopause Creative Collection, a series of works of fiction, nonfiction/memoir, poetry, and B&W art that communicate subversively, intimately, and joyously about women (as broadly defined) entering the third act of life. She is excited to partner with Prime Time for Women, Inc. to celebrate World Menopause Day on October 18 at the Next Chapter Café and Book Shop, thanks to the generosity of Melissa Noel.