Dialogue Transformation:
Don Lemon's comment about Nikki Haley being "past her prime" stirred up a conversation about the ageism that women face, especially over 50. At Gardenuity, the founders, including CEO and co-founder Donna Letier, strongly disagree with this sentiment. According to Letier, women should never be considered past their prime, no matter their age.
Letier herself is a shining example of a woman who has not only thrived in her 50s but has succeeded in multiple aspects of her life. From employee to mother to co-founder to CEO, she has shown that age is just a number and any woman can achieve great things if they choose to do so.
The team at Gardenuity, made up of people from various age groups, including women in their 50s, firmly believes in celebrating women who continue to make a difference in the world. They are turning Lemon's negative comment into a positive, celebrating women who defy ageism and continue to be powerful leaders.
One of Letier's role models is Arianna Huffington, the co-founder of The Huffington Post. Another is Julie Eggers, a national leader in educational equity. While these two women are notable examples, Letier insists that the list of inspiring women over 50 goes on and on.
For any woman who may feel they are past their prime, Letier offers words of encouragement. She would ask, "Who told you that?" She emphasizes that a person can be whatever they want to be, and it doesn't matter what age they are. If there are things a woman still wants to give, share, and teach, age is not a barrier.
Women like Maria Shriver, 67, are still making a huge impact on issues like Alzheimer's, while Reese Witherspoon, not past her prime, is creatively bringing stories to life that resonate with people. As women get older, they learn different things, but the joy of learning and cultivating knowledge never fades.
Letier concludes by expressing gratitude for the women over 50 who continue to inspire and make a difference. She encourages everyone to celebrate these women, to put them in the spotlight, and to turn Don Lemon's comment into lemonade. Women over 50 demonstrate every day that success and contribution have no age limit, and they continue to break stereotypes and generalizations at every age.
Starting a new role later in life can be intimidating, but with the right mindset and a supportive team, it's possible to lead and deliver change. So, here's to the extraordinary women over 50 who keep proving that they're not and will never be "past their prime."
- Donna Letier, CEO of Gardenuity, proves that women can thrive and succeed in multiple aspects of life even in their 50s, shattering the notion that age determines one's worth.
- The team at Gardenuity champions diversity in age, celebrating women who continue to make a difference and defy ageism, such as Arianna Huffington and Julie Eggers, among many others.
- Overcoming ageism, women like Maria Shriver, at 67, still make a significant impact on issues like Alzheimer's, while Reese Witherspoon continues to bring captivating stories to life, demonstrating that wisdom and creativity do not wane with age.
- Letier encourages women who may feel past their prime to reconsider, asserting that anyone can be whatever they want to be and achieve great things, regardless of age, so long as they have the determination and support.
- Starting a new role later in life may seem daunting, but with the right attitude and a supportive team, it's possible for anyone, especially women over 50, to lead and enact change in business, career, and beyond, continuing to break stereotypes and inspire others.
