Friday, October 2, 2009

Inspire Me!





Let’s talk about inspiring and accomplished mature women.

I’ll start with these prominent four: Meryl Streep, Betsy Johnson, Diane Keaton, and Alice Hoffman.

~~ Meryl Streep -- Meryl’s 60 years old and considered to be the greatest film actresses living today. An amazing fact about Meryl is this; despite her illustrious career she always managed to put her family first. Putting your children at the top of the list in Hollywoodworld, is so unheard of. Hat’s off to Meryl, she’s always been a class act, and the good example.

Meryl Streep quote: We are who we’re going to be when we’re very old, and when we’re very old we’re who we were when we were 8.

~~ Betsy Johnson – Betsey’s 67, can you believe that? This wild child of fashion is still as vibrant and out there as she was in the back in the seventies. I couldn’t find any quotes from Betsey, but I chose her because she’s still going strong creatively. Another fashion favorite of mine, (she was adept at changing with the times), is Coco Chanel!

~~ Diane Keaton -- Diane’s 63, and an advocate against plastic surgery. Back in 2006 she was chosen to be the face of L’Oreal. Bug off botox peddlers.

Diane Keaton quote: I’m stuck in this idea that I need to be authentic…My face needs to look the way I feel. (Wow, what a concept, your forehead wrinkles when you’re perplexed, and laugh lines form when you’re amused—how very freaky!)

~~ Alice Hoffman – Alice is 57. I just had to choose a writer for the list. Wouldn’t you know? I chose her because I’m a big fan, and not only is Ms. Hoffman prolific, every single one of her books has been optioned for film. Holy smokes! And she has written several screenplays as well. All this, and she’s a breast cancer survivor. After being treated at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge Mass, she established the Hoffman Breast Center.

Alice Hoffman quoteMother’s always find ways to fit in the work—but then when you’re working, you feel that you should be spending time with your children and then when you’re with your children, you’re thinking about working.

I want to say that the world is missing a woman that I admired very much, a brilliant artist, and a wonderful mother and wife, Janice Lowry. She passed away recently and you can view her website here, janicelowry

I’m interesting in hearing about the women that you all admire, and why you admire them.







All Rights Reserved. © 2009 by Elizabeth Bradley.

19 comments:

Hilary said...

A fine post. Unfortunately the video won't load for me. Along similar lines of Diane Keaton, there's Susan Sarandon.. also aging gracefully without cosmetic surgery.. or so I think. :)

Angie Ledbetter said...

Jamie Lee Curtis. Totally natural. Gorgeous. Independent, motivated, family oriented.

Jemi Fraser said...

Great post about some great women. You're right, Elizabeth, they are definitely inspirational.

Cloudia said...

Sarandon, yes. And Whoopie...


Aloha, Friend!

Comfort Spiral

K. said...

I love all these women! What an inspiring list!

Tabitha Bird said...

Women that inspire me? Hmmm... There is a girl I know who constantly inspires me by who she is how how she is able to hold on to herself (be herself 0 in the face of other people and their problems wishes, desires etc.

I don't know that there are many famous women who inspire me. I think the ones you mentioned are fantastic, but I don't really know them (of course) so I don't know how they live there real lives or who they choose to be when the sun sets and the spot lights are off. But I like what I know of them, however true that maybe to who they really are, and yeah, I find that inspiring. e I think, yeah, that person really ins

Rosaria Williams said...

This is a good start, highlighting strong, successful women, who look good and stylish, and act their age. I'd add Ruth Ginsberg, Oprah, Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Allbright. These women have conviction, personality, guts, and a style all their own.

Elizabeth Bradley said...

My list of women to admire is a long one. I will go ahead and add: Agatha Christie, Amelia Earhart, Eleanor Roosevelt, Queen Elizabeth, Barbra Streisand, Barbara Walters, Georgia O'Keefe, Kathryn Hepburn, Dorthea Lange, and my great-grandmother Catherine Farmer, just to name a few.

Lori said...

This is such an wonderful thing to do. I find enormous inspiration in such women too.

Joanne said...

I'll add Stevie Nicks to the list, bringing a strong female influence to the world of music.

Anne Spollen said...

Hillary Clinton? Did you see the UN tape where she is called upon as "President" and she says, "Oh, I like being President -- this may go on a little longer." (Or something to that effect )

I think she's amazing.

Does Caroline Kennedy count? She's about 52. I'd vote for her, too.

Lauri said...

I love love Meryl Streep. I don't get all this fiddling to stay young. When we were young we all tried to look older. Be happy where you're at.

Many many women on my list-Wangari Maathai, Michelle Obama, Margaret Atwood, Alice Munroe....

Boozy Tooth said...

Yes, yes, yes, yes! Agree on all counts.

How about Barbra Streisans? No wait... she's too militant a democrat. But... I do love her strength and talent and success.

Elspeth Futcher said...

Any woman who stands on her own two feet and faces the world on her own terms has my admiration.

Marguerite said...

Great list! I think that all women are beautiful and successful, in their own way. After all, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder".

Anonymous said...

Love Meryl Streep and admire her. Mother Theresa (her humanity), Lisa See (her writing on the woman of China), Queen Victoria (her mark on the world), Oprah (her empire :)! hah! no really her generosity), Audrey Hepburn who aged as real women DO. My mind is unfairly blank, but there are so many more.

Gutsy Living said...

Yes, like most women, I do admire Meryl Streep, and the way she has managed to remain down-to-earth. I do like Elizabeth Gilbert, the author of "Eat, Pray, Love." She also seems unpretentious. What a great post.

Nancy said...

All of yours, for sure. I also admire women who are not afraid to age. Sally Field is a good example.

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful post. I've long admired Diane Keaton for her graceful aging. I hope we can all do so well. She reminds me of another graceful, substantial actress, Katharine Hepburn.