You may think you recognize me as one of those women sipping cosmopolitans with her girlfriends talking about men, sex and $500 shoes. Or, perhaps it’s my “career woman” look that you recognize; the kind of woman who is so focused on her job, working such late hours to get ahead, that she has no idea what time it is on her biological clock. Or, maybe it’s what you don’t see that helps you identify me; no spit up on my sweater - and no preschoolers tugging at it from below to get my attention. You may think that I’m typical of one of those “childfree, carefree women.”
But maybe, despite my social life, my career success, my spotless attire, you’re wrong about me. And wrong about most of the other women who fit this stereotype.


Melanie Notkin is a leading expert on the emerging demographic of childless, often single, women. She is founder and personality behind Savvy Auntie®, the beloved lifestyle brand celebrating modern aunthood, and national bestselling author of Savvy Auntie: The Ultimate Guide for Cool Aunts, Great-Aunts, Godmothers, and All Women Who Love Kids. In 2009, she established Auntie's Day® the first annual day to celebrate and honor aunts. Her 2014 reported memoir, Otherhood: Modern Women Finding a New Kind of Happiness, received a Booklist *Starred Review*.
Notkin has shared her national research on the rising demographics of what she dubbed PANKs® - or, Professional Aunts No Kids, and Otherhood® - or, non-mothers, along with her popular voice on behalf of her cohorts as a keynote speaker to several consumer and corporate groups.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx