Article by Ceri Wheeldon

Would you rather be a model or a role model over 50?

I was just putting a post on social media, when I inadvertently missed out the word ‘role’ as I was about to highlight an inspirational role model. As I quickly edited the word back in, it did start me thinking. Who would we be most inspired by.  A 73 year old role model for sport and fitness, or a 73 year old model ? Or both. for different reasons.

Daphne Selfe

I’m a big fan of Daphne Selfe, a model in her 80s who I have met several times over the years. A lovely and gracious lady who resurrected her modelling career a little later in life. Response to Daphne is always positive, but is she any more inspiring than Eddie Brocklesby , a grandmother who was named the nation’s most inspiring sports and fitness model at the age of 73, or Angela Atkinson who went to university in her 50s.

Eddie Brocklesby

Who do you think are the role models for women like us?

When we look at women in the media the names that are usually mentioned are Judi Dench and Helen Mirren. Now we have Theresa May as our Prime Minister at 59…showing it’s never too late to reach for that top job!

What are the qualities we most look for in our midlife role models? Achievement, overcoming adversity, compassion, good looks?

Are they the same qualities we would have looked for when we were in our 20s? I was having lunch the other day with friends. We were talking about when we were at school  how we all had a dream of being something when we left…a teacher, a nurse, lawyer, doctor. Ask the same question today and  it seems many just want to be famous- for the sake of being famous. So as the celebrity culture encourages people to be famous just for the sake of fame, who are our real role models? As many of the younger generation aspire to be the next Kardashian, who can we look to for inspiration for life over 50?

I would love your thoughts and input on this topic. I love to feature inspirational women on the Fab after Fifty website so do get in touch if you feel you could inspire others…or know somebody who does that we should feature and share with the community.

Ceri Wheeldon

Ceri is Founder and Editor of Fabafterfifty.co.uk She is a frequent speaker at events and in the media on topics related to women over 50 , including style and living agelessly. With 20+ years experience as a headhunter Ceri also now helps support those looking to extend their working lives.

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