Historically, women who defied convention, particularly those living outside prescribed norms, were dismissed as “hags” or “witches,” and marginalised for their independence, knowledge, and refusal to conform. Often older, single, or living on the fringes of society, they practised crafts such as weaving, basketry, and pottery, alongside herbalism, midwifery, and other forms of care. These skills, rooted in ancestral knowledge, not only sustained their communities but also challenged patriarchal authority. Branded as witches, they became scapegoats for society. Their wisdom and creativity were misunderstood and feared. These labels, steeped in superstition and prejudice, have cast a long shadow, shaping perceptions of mature creators and the roles society permits even today.