Book excerpt: Baby Boomer women are the first generation of women to retire from professional career roles. These women were uniquely born into a generation known for breaking down traditional societal barriers and searching for personal fulfillment. They pioneered their entrance into the male-dominated professional workplace and persevered to levels of unprecedented success. These are strong, bright women. So why wouldn’t retirement be an easy transition for them? Unfortunately, these trailblazing women are ill prepared for the psychological challenges of retirement, and there are no roadmaps and few female role models to guide them. Dr. Rita Smith interviewed over 200 Baby Boomer professional women, and found a common experience among them—being unprepared for “retirement shock.” Empty Nest, Empty Desk, What’s Next? shares these women’s stories, their challenges, and their successes. The book also includes a Boomer Retirement Re-Imagined Roadmap© which, along with interactive exercises, provide the missing guidance and support to help Baby Boomer professional women reinvent a retirement that works!