Deb wanted to participate in the Extraordinary: the Over 50 Revolution because her life changed significantly in her fifties. As she was seeking help to make the changes for herself and her son, she found that women over fifty are often discounted, put aside, “just lost through the cracks.”

She said, “I think it is SO important for people to know how much we have to share with the world and each other, all the wisdom we have gathered along the many roads of our lives.” She believes women over 50 could make the world a much better place if we weren’t undervalued by society.

“Women over 50 are beautiful, each in our own way. We have learned the value and the cost of love and of what matters and what is and is not important in our lives. Most of us are warriors who have survived much in our fifty years and over.”

“All that I believed in changed in my 50’s. I had been married since I was 18, with my husband since I was 16. In my 50s, I began a new life. I learned to drive and got my license. That gave me a freedom that I had never known. I went to work outside of my home and learned independence. I traveled enough to learn that I want to see more of the world. I learned to love who I am and to feel happiness again. I even found that I could love again with no bitterness or anger. My fifties were the happiest years I have known.”

Deb said her childhood was not a happy one, but doesn’t carry anger because of it. As for women role models, she thought of one immediately. Deb was in her teens when she met a women who was only in her twenties. “Her name was Katie Gray and I met her at the local youth center where I spent a great deal of time. She devoted her time to all of us young people, she listened and really heard us. She laughed and smiled with us. She helped us when we needed it, no judgement. She tried to teach us to be good people and to be responsible for our actions. I am thankful that this question made me remember her and her gentle kindness. I think she would have been proud of the woman I have become.”

When asked what advice she would give to younger women, Deb said, “If I were to tell them anything it would be NEVER compare yourself to anyone else. You are unique, you have your own gifts to give this world and your own magic inside. I would say to always keep a good heart and never let anyone change that or take it away from you.”

“What effect would I like to have on this world? I would like to continue to give love, to always do my best to be thoughtful of others, to give kindness where I can and to be remembered for the beautiful heart and soul I was blessed with in this life.”

Join the Over 50 Revolution!

Book your portrait experience in 2023! If you are a woman over the age of fifty, “the Over 50 Revolution” is for you. It’s for everyone who loves you and for other women of all ages, to show them that they are worthy, too. I hope you’ll join me in this luxurious and empowering experience.  You can find out more HERE

When I asked Nicole why she wanted to participate in Extraordinary: the Over 50 Revolution, she told me about her experience after her mother’s death a year ago.  “As my brother and I were looking through her photos, I realized that the reason why there were so few, was because she was the one always behind the camera.  This is what prompted me to step out from behind my camera and be vulnerable for a day.” 

Nicole said, “Women over 50 have spent more than half a century changing the world – whether it has been by teaching generations of children, taking care of patients in their darkest moments, or changing the world through maternal love and guidance.”

When she turned 50, she no longer felt the need to prove herself to anyone.  She finally understood “that the opinions of others were not my problem, and that it is okay to take time for self-care and interests.  As women, we often want to fix things so everyone is happy. Realistically, we are not responsible for the happiness of others.  In the end, I am enough.”

When asked about women role models, Nicole said, “I am a nurse, as was my mother.  She has, and always will be, my role model in my profession.  She was an amazing patient advocate and did not let anyone, including doctors, come between her and exceptional patient care.  [My mother said] ‘Always remember, Nicole, you don’t work for the doctors!’  Her tenacity and genuine desire to help others helped me realize that I can be the voice for those who are unable to speak for themselves.” 

Nicole’s advice to women who are younger than her: “Always be honest.  First, be honest to yourself– don’t let others dictate who/what you should be.  That is not theirs to determine.  Second, be honest in all that you – the world deserves to be blessed with who you were created to be and the gifts you were born with.” 

“I will consider myself accomplished if my children (13 of them) all grow to realize the importance of family, compassion for others, and laughter.  Alone, I am just one person…. But after 55 years, I have changed the world one diaper at a time.”  

Nicole’s husband, Tim, joined her for some portraits. He wore his kilt to honor his Scottish ancestry.

You Are Enough!

Book your portrait experience in 2023. If you are a woman over the age of fifty, “the Over 50 Revolution” is for you. It’s for everyone who loves you and for other women of all ages, to show them that they are worthy, too. I hope you’ll join me in this luxurious and empowering experience.  You can find out more HERE

Kathy is an artist from Massachusetts. When she saw the portraits of women who participated in last year’s Over 50 Revolution, she was drawn to each person’s richness and beauty. It seemed to her that each woman took the opportunity to show herself in a new way, to explore a side of herself that doesn’t always get a chance to shine. She said, “I thought it would be fun, creative, and perhaps surprising, to take part.”

“Turning 50 was actually a proud moment for me. I was thrilled to have made it to the half-century mark, which neither of my parents did. I know this was not the case for some of my friends, who found the milestone painful. It’s true that age leaves its mark on your body, but a little gray hair is a small price to pay for this much wisdom! (You may have seen this on a tee shirt – I wrote it.)”

Kathy has learned a lot since she turned 50. “I was just a bit too naive and trusting when I was younger. Now I have a more discerning eye, which has served me well. I’ve also experienced the joy and privilege of knowing my daughter as a grown woman.”

Kathy’s best role model was her grandmother, Kate Finnerty Hopfner. “She was deep-down good and very accepting of people. She believed in ‘doing the right thing,’ which I took to heart.”

While Kathy was enjoying hair and makeup styling, I photographed her husband, Paul.

Then he helped hang some of Kathy’s artwork to serve as an interesting backdrop.

When asked what advice she would give to women who are younger than her, Kathy said, “Do what you love, not what you think will please your family or earn you the most money. Be kind to others. Don’t let aging get in the way of living.”

Kathy has worked as a newspaper and magazine editor, a corporate communications executive, a freelance writer and cartoonist, as well as a children’s book author. She hopes that she has helped people by informing them, entertaining them, and giving them a bit of inspiration.”

If you ask Kathy and her husband, Paul, how long they have been married, they will say, “thirty-seven.” And then they’ll look at each other and add, in unison, “miiiiilllllion years!” and they’ll laugh.

“My husband gave me the gift of a portrait [session] for Christmas, at my choice of photographer. I picked Maundy because her photos are beautifully lit and composed and it was clear from her portfolio that she works hard to make her subjects look great. Working with her was fun and I love my photos!”

-Kathy S.

Join Us!

Book your portrait experience in 2023. If you are a woman over the age of fifty, “the Over 50 Revolution” is for you. It’s for everyone who loves you and for other women of all ages, to show them that they are worthy, too. I hope you’ll join me in this luxurious and empowering experience.  You can find out more HERE