The long speech before this line, is your rant. Nothing wrong but also nothing you, or anyone here can do right, so no point..

What should you do... You are not the only jobless, as you probably know. Many excellent and actionable steps are detailed before your post. Some people have been very very kind to share specifics of how they managed to get calls. Have you tried them? I find - do up a good cover - and - salary below 4k - to be actionable. There's even one person who advised to swallow pride and ask sincerely for the job to pay the bills.

At 40, everywhere thinks twice before calling. My advice would be, think of a solid excuse for being let go by that lady. That is a lethal bullet that has hit you no matter how unfair it is, because sadly, all bosses side with bosses. They don't want others' problem to become their problem. The companies that call, will surely ask about it.

I suggest you don't mention engaging MOM at the hiring stage because you may be perceived to be aggressive.