Despite individual triumphs, data suggests a deep-seated bias against mature women that persists today.

: Studies show that while male actors often see their roles and pay increase with age, women over 40 face a drastic decline in opportunities. In 2022, only 12.6% of film projects were written by women over 40.

: Older women are four times more likely to be portrayed as senile or feeble compared to older men (16.1% vs. 3.5%). They are frequently relegated to one-dimensional roles, such as the "passive victim" or the "crotchety grandmother". Icons of Excellence and Modern Evolution

: The 1960s and 70s saw a resurgence. Lucille Ball became the first woman to run a major studio in 1962, and Julia Phillips became the first female producer to win a Best Picture Oscar for The Sting in 1974. Contemporary Challenges and The "Invisible" Barrier

: In the 1910s, women like Alice Guy-Blaché and Lois Weber were among the highest-paid and most prolific directors, often tackling complex social issues like birth control and poverty.