Spotlight on Older Women and Why We’re Awesome

There’s been many reasons to smile these last few days, especially as an older woman. We have a 59-year-old woman running for President of the United States and an 84-year old woman pulling the strings behind the scenes, a maestro.

Us old women are having a moment. So, today, we celebrate and pay homage.

The Lord Almighty is a woman, and her name is Nancy Pelosi.

You may recall, a defiant Joe Biden told an interviewer after his disastrous debate, “only the Lord Almighty” could compel him to drop out of the race.¹

In her New York Times opinion piece, The Most Ruthless Political Operator in the Country is a Woman, Jessica Bennett spells it out for us. She describes the iron fist with which Pelosi delivers her not so quiet diplomacy. I couldn’t help but smile while reading her piece.

Bennett quotes a democrat familiar with the post-debate conversations as saying “Nancy made clear that they could do this the easy way or the hard way.” Biden’s three weeks were up and it was about to get very, very hard for him.

“Before Mr. Biden ultimately threw in the towel last weekend, his team was bracing for what she might do next, Politico reported, with a quote that made this grandmother of 10 sound a bit like Don Corleone.” Jessica Bennet, New York Times.

Whether Pelosi is the mafia, the Lord Almighty or the best political operator on the planet, she got the job done. What 87 percent of Americans agreed on. Joe Biden was right to drop out of the race. When was the last time American’s agreed on anything that strongly?

We’ve been watching Pelosi be masterful for years now, especially when dealing with Trump as President. She doesn’t even need to say anything, her face always says it all! I loved her then, and I love her now. We all owe a great debt to Ms. Pelosi.

Nancy Pelosi as Speaker

The Lord Almighty Opened the Door, and in Walks Kamala Harris

Who could’ve predicted the swiftness of how every major democratic leader and potential challenger to Kamala Harris would fall in line behind her, throwing their support to the first black woman who has a chance to be President?

I thought there would be much hand-wringing and the democrats would have to go through a whole big process, to avoid the optics of ‘crowning’ a leader. But, hey, when you only have a handful of days left to the election, you gotta get on with it.

And, after witnessing the full second coming of the Messiah at the Republican national convention, the demoralized and bumbling democrats, needed to move and move quickly. I think many of us saw a second Trump presidency as a forgone conclusion, until last week.

Until Kamala Harris.

I was doing my own version of hand-wringing up here in Canada. Before Biden came to the conclusion that the rest of us had come to weeks ago, I was worried the American people weren’t ready for a woman president, let alone a black woman of immigrant parents. The tone and tenure of the rhetoric over the years has been concerning.

However, having watched the younger generation pick up her mantle and run with it—turning what’s supposed to be “nasty” memes of Harris into a pop culture phenomenon, I couldn’t be happier. I can feel the excitement and the lift in people’s steps—from old and young alike all the way up here in Canada.

Lord Almighty, it’s Celine Dion!

The Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games was a very, very long interplay between athletes and performers. There was a rumour that Celine Dion would be performing, so I stuck it out. If it was happening, I wanted to see it live.

After four hours, the Lord Almighty delivered again—Celine Dion performing an emotional rendition of Edith Piaf’s 1950’s song, Hymne a l’amour from a balcony on the Eiffel Tower. A vision in white. Sparkling like the tower itself. An image of perseverance and victory. A comeback. A revelation. The setting couldn’t have been more perfect.

If you watched the documentary of the 56-year-old Celine Dion, you’ll know how incapacitated she’s been by Stiff Person’s Syndrome—losing her ability to move and ultimately, losing her beautiful voice. The instrument that has never failed her. She vows to sing and perform again. You watch as she tries to will her instrument, her voice, to sing. It’s heartbreaking—for her and for us. The pain she is in—physically, mentally and emotionally was palpable. I was unsure if she’d ever be able to be “Celine Dion” again.

But, there she was. A moment of glory. I cried an ocean of tears. Another older woman showing us courage and resolve. It gave me such hope.

And here’s why….

Three years ago to the day, I left a job I had loved. A job I devoted too much of myself to. Until I was so sick, I was a shell of myself. I didn’t know who I was or why I was here.²

Today, three years later, I have been through two intensive rounds of Cognitive Process Therapy³ as part of my recovery from PTSD, I downsized my life in every conceivable way. I have been quiet and introspective, isolated but in a good way—a necessary way. And here’s the thing. I feel so good. I never thought this day would come.

Seeing all these older women, powerful women, gifted leaders taking centre stage and stepping into the spotlight is pure delight.

It's an acknowledgement that life can take many turns, and no matter how old you are, you can shine your light for others to see and follow.

Which brings me to another delight from this past week. Fellow Vancouver Islander and another woman in her 50’s unabashedly being herself,

Pamela Anderson

is on Substack. She is vulnerable, honest and intelligent. Give her a follow or subscribe.

If you have an older woman in your life, mother, grandmother, friend or mentor, reach out to her today and let her know what she means to you and why. You’ll make her day.

Older women are rocking it, my friend. You can too!

Waiting for the sunset off the bow of our boat. Thinking about all the incredible older women in my life—past and present.

What say you?

1. Are you inspired by a woman in your life? Tell us who and why?

2. Have you done something recently or made a big change that has you scared, proud or both?

3. What do you think of Kamala’s chances? Prosecutor versus Felon. Perfect foil. I sure hope you guys get it right!

1. I was hesitant to watch the debate, hoping and praying Joe Biden was up to the task, but in my heart of hearts, knowing it would take a miracle. I tuned in for a few minutes (seconds really) and had to turn it off. With a sinking heart, I turned away. Twenty minutes later, I convinced myself, maybe he needed a few minutes to get warmed up and he’s turned it around, so I tuned in again. Nope. Disaster. I didn’t think it was possible for Trump to be contained and reasonable, but there it was. He could spout his lies and as long as he didn’t go off the rails, he was golden, or an orange-ish hue, which is as golden as he’s ever going to get.

2. You can read about my earlier journey here:

3. Cognitive Process Therapy for PTSD resources;

https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand_tx/cognitive_processing.asp

https://cptforptsd.com/