This awareness-raising module on women at midlife and older ages in cross-cultural perspective is intended for discussion groups, workshops, and college courses on women's lives in different societies. Based on empowerment workshops in Acapulco, Mexico, and the District of Columbia, in which women from a wide range of social classes and occupations participated, the publication has three parts: (1) a paper, "Empowerment of Older Women: Evidence from Historical and Contemporary Sources," written as a background document for the workshops by Elsa M. Chaney; (2) transcripts of the two discussions at the workshops; and (3) a study guide designed for discussion groups and workshops aimed at a general audience, as well as for groups that wish to go more deeply into the demographic aspects of aging populations. The study guide contains outlines for three discussion sessions. Session I provides background information on empowerment of older women. Session II covers some of the main points in the Chaney article on older women's empowerment in cross-cultural perspective. Session III is based on the "conversations" at the workshops among 13 empowered older women from 10 countries. Excerpts from "Aging in the Third World" (Kevin Kinsella), with extensive statistical data, are provided in support of session I. A list of resource organizations concludes the publication. (KC)