Long-running studies of fish-eating resident killer whales in the Pacific Northwest have found that older, post-reproductive females disproportionately lead group movement, particularly when salmon are scarce. In that sample, ovarian activity had ceased in half of the females older than 45 and in all females older than 55. Its team assembled female lifespan estimates for 32 toothed whale species and reproductive-lifespan estimates for 18. Older females may lead relatives toward food, share salmon, provide social support or confer several advantages at once. Older females can hold a consequential place in how families move, find food and survive difficult years.