Women's Third Acts Redefined
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” Mahatma Gandhi
For women over 50, it is more evident than ever that a third or even fourth exciting chapter awaits. The experience of aging now is far different than it was even a decade ago, and drastically different than it was in earlier generations. The life expectancy for women in the United States was 80.5 in 2020 according to the CDC. In 1901 it was 50.6 and it 1950 it was 71.1. For many reasons, including more active lives, and better nutrition and health care, in the United States and in many other countries we live much longer, more varied lives than women of past generations.
The economic status of women in society has changed dramatically as well, and there are more opportunities available to women than ever before as well as a realistic need for many to continue to work in their later years. The traditional age of retirement at 65 is no longer the reality for many, who are reinventing established careers or creating new careers or ventures, often pursuing work that embraces their interests and passions in their 50s, 60s and beyond.
To learn about contemporary inspiring women living amazing third acts I naturally turned to my coach Diana Place, whose own passion and purpose is to help others to “embrace purpose driven third acts.” Her business, Third Act Quest, offers individual and group coaching, programming, monthly sessions and retreats to help older adults to “reframe the perception and experience of aging.” Diana’s first career ended abruptly after she developed cancer and her business was forced to close. She reframed her purpose and was driven to coach and help others transitioning in their lives in their years after 50 and to help them to live their “one wild, crazy life.” She was personally inspired by her grandmother who remained curious and vital in her later years and even started taking Spanish lessons at age 76.
Diana believes that it's important to try new paths after 50 with the understanding that you might be in the “messy middle of a transition.” According to Diana, to begin a new chapter you need to simply start, following the adage that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Those who commence a new chapter will likely need to redirect and redesign throughout the process and accept the “meandering nature of the path.” Diana provided examples of several extraordinary women who are carving new innovative paths beyond 50 who will be featured in her October workshop:
- Michelle Fishburne had a dramatic and negative series of events in her life in 2020, lost her home and job, suffered health issues, and was inspired to travel the country in an RV and to gather stories of the pandemic from everyday Americans. Michelle Fishburne — Who Are We Now. Her book will be published in 2022.
- Maria Olsen, the dynamic author of 50 after 50 and compelling podcast host of "Your Best Version,” an inspiring resource for all women.
- Estella Pyfrom at age 72 she started a nonprofit, Estella’s Brilliant Bus, that provides technology training and education to underserved communities. Her innovative program provides computer based self-paced education in an accessible setting that moves to where needs emerge. She is in her 80s now and still leading this fantastic organization.
For women over 50 who remain in their careers and seek expansion, the experience of ageism is real, however there are strategies to combat it. In a recent interview with Forbes magazine, Bonnie Marcus provided sage guidance, including “rewrite a personal story that’s going to support your success. You can read that aloud every day… the words that we tell ourselves about ourselves become our reality”, in addition to more expansive, cross generational networking and experiences, and improved self-advocacy. (Forbes magazine, April 2021 “I’m not Done Yet! -An Expert’s Work Tips for Women over 50).
Many of the incredible women involved in ATHENA International’s programs, events and mentoring are dynamic women over 50. They find an enormous sense of purpose and experience continuous learning from and with others in our communities, including women of younger generations. For other volunteer opportunities, there are certainly an abundance of online resources for volunteering over 50, with one website volunteerworld.com listing over one thousand overseas opportunities for people over 50. Do the arts call you in your years after 50? Grandma Moses, an extraordinary woman, is joined by many other inspiring artists who continued their artistic accomplishments in their 80s. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/8-women-artists-over-80-1710444. It really is never too late to learn or to create something new.
According to Diana, the pandemic has provided an even greater desire for purpose that is shaping many new third acts. She wants our ATHENA readers to know that they can re-envision and re-write the stories of their lives so that their third acts can be the most meaningful, joyful chapters of all.
“For age is opportunity no less than youth itself, though in another dress, and as the evening twilight fades away the sky is filled with stars invisible by day.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Karen J. Laufer
ATHENA contributor