Why Would a 22-Year-Old Want to Be an 'Old Lady?'
Hint: These 5 trailblazing women have a lot to do with it
1 of 6
In our youth-oriented culture, it’s rare to find an example of someone who yearns to be older.
So it was refreshing to come across Kate Parkinson-Morgan’s essay for NPR, “I'm 22, and I Can't Wait to Be an Old Lady.”
“Older women are my heroes,” writes the Gimlet Media radio producer. “I'm envious of their knowledge — the beautiful, rich kind of knowing that only unfurls with time, patience and experience.”
While acknowledging the ageist, sexist stereotypes all around us, Parkinson-Morgan notes that we're doing a better job of celebrating women over 50 these days and she points to many inspiring examples.
“Today young women can look to a great many accomplished older women for guidance,” she says.
For examples, see the five trailblazers on the following slides.
1. Lily Tomlin
Occupation: Actor
Age: 77
Why she's inspiring: Portrays older women as multidimensional characters, as in the 2015 film Grandma
2. Nina Totenberg
Occupation: NPR legal affairs correspondent
Age: 72
Why she's inspiring: Explains the complex U.S. legal system in a thoughtful and engaging way
3. Gloria Steinem
Occupation: Feminist, writer and activist
Age: 82
Why she's inspiring: Paved the way for the feminist organizers of today
4. Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Occupation: Supreme Court Justice
Age: 83
Why she's inspiring: Has become an Internet famous feminist icon as the Notorious RBG
5. Iris Apfel
Occupation: Fashion icon and designer
Age: 95
Why she's inspiring: Still setting style trends and being fabulous in her 90s
