At the awesome age of 89, Marla Gibbs has a new remastered CD. She lives by the lyrics of the title song, “It’s Never Too Late,” which she wrote. “As long as you breathe, you’d better believe, it’s never too late for life.” Last year I had the good fortune of working with her on the music video for that song. As we talked in the dressing room, she shared some of her life experiences with me. It was so clear that she has lived a full and extraordinary life and has no intention of slowing down.
Marla was in her 40’s when her acting career kicked off, which was considered late at that time. However, age was never an obstacle for Marla. Her entrepreneurial spirit was always at work and led to her opening Marla’s Memory Lane, her Jazz and Supper Club in 1981 which served great live music and food, and a mean Sunday Brunch for almost 2 decades. At 89, Marla Gibbs is still demonstrating that “It’s Never Too Late.”
What are the visions you have of yourself that you haven’t yet realized? What are the hopes and dreams that you’ve swept under the rug or given up on because you believe it’s too late? Hold on. It’s not too late. Every moment in every day you have the power to make a choice to change your life.
Following are snippets of 5 women who are over 50 and made another choice to live their lives fully. I hope their stories will inspire you to be your greatest yet-to-be.
Vi Lyles was almost 60, retired, and caring for her dying husband when she became politically active at his encouragement for her to find something to do besides taking care of him. Vi became more involved than she planned and is now the Mayor of Charlotte, NC.
Suzanne Watson became a doctor 25 years after being accepted to medical school. As she was about to start med school, she learned she was pregnant with her second child. With a commuter marriage, a 9-month-old, and a baby on the way, Suzanne decided to postpone school. A few years later, her husband committed suicide leaving her to raise 4 small children alone. Ultimately, it was her son who later encouraged her to follow her dream of being a doctor. Suzanne’s spiritual mentor told her, “we have to be stewards of all the gifts that we’re given, even those that are won through pain and suffering.”
Ernestine Shepherd was motivated by her sister to start working out. Her sister passed away from a brain aneurysm, which left Ernestine depressed until she saw her sister in a dream, prompting her to resume working out. At 71, Ernestine began working with a trainer. Seven months later she won first place in a novice competition. She went on to win many competitions and was declared the oldest competitive female bodybuilder by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2010. At 84, Ernestine is an active bodybuilder, trainer, and mentor.
Ina Garten at 50, while trying to uncover what her next move would be, wrote a cookbook. Now, at 73, Ina is the host of the Food Network’s “Barefoot Contessa,” with a personal net worth of $50 million.
At Patricia Forehand’s retirement party a few years ago, she said something funny and a co-worker suggested she should be a comedian. After teaching public school for 32 years, it didn’t even seem possible. She took a comedy class and decided to give it a shot. Patty persevered and now at 58 is a working comedian and can currently be heard on Audible’s “Badass Boomer Babes” Podcast.
There are so many more wonderful examples of women over 50 surpassing the odds and living their lives fully. You can too! Start by taking some quiet time to think about your passion and how you can tap into it in a fulfilling way. It all starts with a thought. What you think is what you create. If you can dream about it, you can be about it.
Happy Women’s History Month!