A few months ago, after being told by my agent "... well Brenda they're just going younger now", I realized I was stepping into another phase of my life. Though that was hard to swallow, I had to start thinking, okay now what?! I didn't expect to hear those words for a few more years but sure enough there it was. So being the woman I am I decided perhaps it was time to be a voice for all the wonderful Broadway Leading Ladies over 50 (who are admitting it) who still feel vibrant and on their A game. I also realized that this goes far beyond Broadway and ANY woman over 50 can still be the Leading Lady in their life! I call it Act 2!
Now, those words "... they're just going younger now" made me take stock in how I wanted to show up for other women. I loved being a "showgirl" for the past 40 years and living that persona, but how could I really be a true advocate for other women over 50 stepping into the Act 2 of their lives, if I never wanted to show up in public just "being Brenda"? Which meant no lashes, makeup and everything else that is the "showgirl". Now that may seem like nothing to some but I realized it was EVERYTHING to me. It's called being authentic.
So, this morning I woke up feeling quite awesome! Ready to get up, feed the cat, have my daily one cup of coffee, make my fruit smoothie (I'm quite addicted to them now!) listen to my Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey 21-day meditation and get my day started. But I also realized that in a few weeks I celebrate another birthday and it's the LAST ONE I'LL CELEBRATE IN MY 50s!! I began to panic a little and started asking myself all sorts of questions. In the Act 1 of my life have I lived well, treated people with respect and compassion, and lived authentically? But I was able to answer yes to only 2 out of 3 of those questions because I realize I'm not always living an authentic life.
As I enter what I'm calling the Act 2... Now What? phase of my life and inviting other women over 50 to embrace who they are, I realize I have to also embrace all parts of myself as well. When I tell women to love EVERY aspect of themselves, I realized I wasn't practicing what I preached. I'm a true "showgirl" at heart and know how to bring out the "Leading Lady" in other women, but I never embraced the part of me that sits home with no make up, no lashes and no applause. But I realize SHE'S FIERCE TOO!! In order for me to ask women participating in my Act 2... Now What? seminars to be the best they can be, go after their dreams even after their 50s 60s and 70s, I have to be willing to show up honest, authentic and ready for my over-50 (and next year at 60!) challenges! Because a showgirl, Leading Lady, fierce over-50 woman is a frame of mind NOT what you wear or how many "likes" you can get. Now don't get me wrong. I still love my lashes, pumps, makeup and roar of the crowd, but it doesn't define me or how FIERCE I truly am. I'm still a work in progress and I want to take this journey with all my other Fierce Over-50 Ladies!
So here's a start. Me...no makeup for all the world to see... A SHOWGIRL STEPS INTO HER AUTHENTIC SELF!! Who will join me!? Act 2... Now What?
Earlier on Huff/Post50: