Five Over 50: Women Who Continually Inspire

As much as I dreaded turning 30, believe it or not I'm actually starting to look forward to 50. This is a notable marker of our times, the idea of embracing age instead of denying it. With more and more iconic female media personalities entering their 50s (happy birthday, Madonna!) hopefully this shift has begun to change the public perception of what a beautiful woman can be.

At 34, I wouldn't exactly say that I am fearless about aging. While I wouldn't trade one moment of my life experience for smoothing the smile lines that have just begun to etch my face, I cannot deny that youth has always been iconic in the American media. I often feel the pressure and pull of measuring myself by pop culture's shiny standards.

So here is my personal top 5 list of fabulous women in their 50s. They help me combat the worrisome voice in my head that tells me my relevancy corresponds with my youth. When I feel like life is passing me by I remind myself that there are lots of inspiring women at the top of their game in their 50s, 60s and 70s who haven't relinquished one iota of their attractiveness, vitality and power. If anything they just seem to get better with age. Maybe 50 is the new 30?

Ines de la Fressange, 51:

Ines has had multiple careers as a fashion model, a businesswoman with a chain of clothing boutiques and as a clothing, jewelry and home goods designer. She's worked creatively alongside the likes of Karl Lagerfield and Jean Paul Gaultier and is currently the brand ambassador for the luxury accessories firm Roger Vivier. Ines is the mother of two girls and was chosen as the image of Marianne to represent the French Republic.

Mae Jemison, 51:

Mae is a physician and a former NASA astronaut. She has worked as a general medical practitioner and founded 2 scientific research companies. Mae was the first African American woman to travel in space. She is a published author and professor-at-large at Cornell University. Mae currently spends her time as an active public speaker promoting science, technology and inspirational education for young people.

Ann Curry, 52:

Ann is the news anchor for NBC's Today Show and the host of Dateline. She's known for her international reporting of major stories from such places as Baghdad, Rwanda and Darfur. She does fun and exciting stuff like bungee jump off of bridges to raise money for charity. She is the mother of two, a girl and a boy.

Ségolène Royal, 54:

Ségolène is a Socialist politician who is currently the acting govenor of the Poitou-Charentes region of France. She has been an administrative court judge, Deputy of the French National Assembly and Minister of the Environment and Way of Life. Ségolène ran against Nicolas Sarkozy for the office of President in 2007, and may seek a rematch in 2012. She is the mother of four children, three boys and a girl.

Arianna Huffington, 58:

Arianna is a noted author of numerous books on a range of subjects from the arts to politics. She's been nominated for an Emmy as part of the writing team of Politically Incorrect and ran as an independent candidate for California Governor in the 2003 recall election. She is a TV and radio show personality and the founder of the Huffington Post. Arianna is the mother of two girls and an active public speaker on spiritual, inspirational and political topics.

Comments

[PatA]

How about notable women over 60? Maybe some that don't have an international
identity?

[50Fabulous]

As founder of www.50Fabulous.com, I am thrilled to hear a 30+ woman say they are looking forward to being 50! Obviously, we 50+ women are not buying in to "being invisible!" We are experiencing life in exciting new ways and not letting age-related stereotypes stand in our way. New websites and blogs by 50+ women are everywhere now when just a few short years ago they didn't exist. Enjoy your life now and don't be afraid of the BIG 5.0.
Best, Pattie

[PoliticalRockChick]

I have a couple of years when I turn 30, but I dread that day. I hope when 50 comes for me, I don't dread it.

[GrainOSand]

Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.
http://www.prmvr.otsu.shiga.jp/library/master/SamuelUllman/Youth.html
Samuel Ullman

There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age.
Sophia Loren

... we’ve allowed a youth-centered culture to leave us so estranged from our future selves that, when asked about the years beyond fifty, sixty, or seventy—all part of the average human life span providing we can escape hunger, violence, and other epidemics—many people can see only a blank screen, or one on which they project fear of disease and democracy.
Gloria Steinem


Much love for the sisters, the mothers, aunts, and neices, without whom there would be no sanity, no reason, no purpose, no chance, and no man. The beauty of woman is beyond the skin as is her true undeniable power.

[Destin]

This is a great article. And quite a contrasting lineup as well. And what i love about the list, is that they aren't just beautiful on the outside. But all seem to be highly intelligent and successful women. That counts for alot right there. I guess you could call them the "total package". Plus, I think they make great role models for younger aspiring women. :)

[Mildmannered]

I just googled Mae Jemison and did some extra reading about her. She is one impressive lady.

[littleredhen]

I have learned that it is impossible to be a truly wise woman before 50. Smart, intellectual, gorgeous, yes, but wisdom is experience and that only comes with time. It's a great blessing to be able to look around and see many wonderful role models. But it's even better to look within.

[Tulka2]

You have been since the beginning and will be till you are enlightened. It's all good, little sister. Old women are the earth's spine. Ursla LeGuin might not have been a beauty....? But she wrote a great little essay once. She said that if another alien race wanted a sample of humaness to study, she would send them an old woman. She would send an old woman because old women wrap up more of the human experience than any other sex or life-stage. You would be wise to listen. You would be wise to make the world safe for old women.

[Fernando]

Loved this post. As an athlete in my mid-30s I've been fearing, really fearing, getting older. Yet, after seeing people like Randy Couture (44) and this weekend, Dara Torres (41) not only keeping up but BEATING top athletes half their age, I'm definitely optimistic. Even actors like Sylvester Stallone and Chuck Norris are absolutely fit for their age and redefining "retirement age" fitness. I have no doubt our generation will push the envelope even a bit further than these (and I totally mean this word) luminaries.

[MFM008]

I turn 50 in October... the alternative doesnt look good.

[sshaler]

I don't think turning to images of famous or exceptional people expresses any self-confidence. People over 50, 60 and 70 don't need celebrities to prop us up and allow us to know our worth. Seeking external, non-ordinary justification for our existence cheapens maturity.

[Vinca]

sshaler: You are right, people put TOO MUCH ATTENTION ON THE YOUNG

[jojojo]

Most would agree that most of these women look terrific--we can all have differences of opinion about an individual or two.

Alas, it should be underscored that these are all women of relative wealth who, even if they don't do plastic surgery ( I bet more here have had it than we think), have a money-based jump on nearly all of the women on the planet when it comes to their appearance.

While most of these are women to be admired in so many ways, to hold them up as examples for their looks could contribute to unattainable "standards" in the same way young, too-thin models do. Admire them for their accomplishments and energy and contributions ahead of their looks.

[commentator]

"My grandmother always said to grow old gracefully, but i feel the first 50 years was only a warm-up. I'm kind of getting the knack of this thing called life and don't intend to slow down any time soon."

Saw this in one of the responses. That's exactly how I feel. I'm 48, and my time until now, including the many mistakes and general bungling I have done to date, was just a warm-up. I'm now finally beginning to have a really strong feeling of who I am and who I want to be and where I want to go. And no, I have no intentions of looking my age...I intend to look like I have no age. And I don't mind working into my 90's. I don't want to "retire" and have my death be the next big happening in my life.

It's a choice. I've seen people in their early 50's who say that they're old now. Whaaa? I think it's an excuse for not trying anymore. Taking refuge in a number. Not hoping anymore. Resigning to where they landed. The spark is gone....and their lives predictably go downhill after that. They become what they say they are.

I think in the near future you'll see a distinct difference in how people age. And you won't be able to automatically assume anything about a person just because you know that person's age.

[wanked]

How do you intend to look as if you have no age?

[RRonin]

Let's not forget Helen Mirren, Nancy Pelosi, Jean Smart, Sally Field, Madeline Stowe, Patty LaBelle, Bonnie Bedelia, Marg Helgenberger, Dana Delaney, and, especially, my wife!

[masha2008]

speaking of mature women, the story of the olympic games, more than phelps, is the debunking of the myth that only teens can be successful. now there's dara torres who is 41, the 38 yr old romanian who won the marathon, the 33 year old german/russian who won silver at the vault. i'm sure there's more of them i dont know about.