I live my life in relative anonymity. In the past two years I have been attempting to find a place in my post-children, post-menopause world. I have made mistakes and false starts, and I have had days where it was all I could do to get out of bed. I have had the luxury of facing these changes and challenges in the privacy of my own home. People only know what I choose to share, if and when I decide to share the details.
Not so for Oprah Winfrey, Caroline Kennedy, and Michelle Obama.
I give Oprah credit for telling it like it is. She started this year with an article in her magazine and an interview on her show about her weight gain. Oprah is 50+ and menopausal, like millions of women who watch her show. Unlike most women, Oprah has a team of health professionals to call on; she has invited them into her studio to work with her on behalf of other women in the same situation. Oprah may be disappointed with herself, but she is not giving up.
I give Caroline Kennedy credit for throwing her hat in the ring for consideration as senator of New York. She is a lawyer, author, fund-raiser, wife, and mother. She has spent the last two decades out of the limelight, working and taking care of her family. She decided to test the political waters, which turned out to be cold and full of sharks. There was no way for her to know what the result would be, but she took the risk anyway.
I give Michelle Obama credit for her sense of style and the confidence with which she has taken on the role of First Lady. Until two years ago she was a working professional, wife, and mother. Then she put her husband's aspirations for the presidency ahead of everything else. Michelle went on the road to campaign for her husband, while her mother moved in to help with the children. I don't know what Michelle anticipated her life with Barack would be, when they married sixteen years ago. I doubt she planned a move to the White House when she was 45 years old; she lives there now and looks like she can handle anything that comes her way.
Oprah, Caroline, and Michelle are women in the prime of their life. I admire their grace and courage as they make changes and take risks while the world looks on. They are extraordinary role models for women of all ages. If they can face mid-life in the public eye, surely I can manage the changes I face in my own life.
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4 comments:
Nice post linking these three great women; very true all around.
Enjoyed the post! Ordinary women standing tall under extraordinary circumstances.
The majority of us don't live in the public eye (thank goodness for anonymity!) but there is always someone watching to see how we'll react under pressure. May all my women friends be blessed with similar grace as we face our challenges.
As someone who prefers to stay out of the limelight (not that it's shining my way anytime soon), I do admire the courage these women share. However, I've never considered their willingness to take risks in the public eye as a motivator for me to take risks in relative private. I like it! Thanks for a thought-provoking post.
I enjoyed this post, Sharon! I admire all of the women you've mentioned here, and I think they are terrific role models for middle-aged women. Though I am on the outside looking in, these women appear to be using their integrity in tandem with their power. Cheers to that!
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