By Marianne Clyde
Do people shake their heads when you talk about what inspires you? Do they think your dreams are far fetched or outlandish?
Or selfish? Unreasonable?
Do they tell you you should just relax at this time of your life? Do they laugh at you?
Take a moment to think of some others who people shook their heads at…
Sara Blakely (1971–)
The founder of Spanx pitched her idea for footless pantyhose to countless manufacturers who laughed her out of the room, thinking it was a ridiculous concept. She persisted, built a billion-dollar company, and transformed the shapewear industry, proving the naysayers wrong.
Julia Child (1912–2004)
At 50, Child debuted on television with The French Chef in 1963, after publishing Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Her idea of teaching complex French cuisine to American home cooks via TV was mocked as impractical and niche. Her quirky charm and bold approach turned her into a culinary icon.
Jane Goodall (1934–)
While Goodall began her chimpanzee research earlier, her continued advocacy for animal consciousness and environmentalism intensified after 50. In the 1980s and beyond, her ideas about animals having emotions and personalities were ridiculed by some scientists as anthropomorphic nonsense. Now in her 90s, she’s a global conservation legend.
Grandma Moses (Anna Mary Robertson Moses, 1860–1961)
Starting her painting career at 78, Grandma Moses was initially laughed at for her “primitive” folk art style, with critics and locals dismissing her late-life hobby as amateurish. Her nostalgic depictions of rural life gained worldwide fame, and she painted prolifically into her 100s.
Katherine Hepburn (1907–2003)
After 50, Hepburn took on unconventional roles, like in The African Queen (1951) and later works, defying Hollywood’s obsession with youth. Her insistence on playing strong, quirky characters was laughed at by studios who thought she was “past her prime.” She won three of her four Oscars after 60, proving them wrong.
At 50, Siebert became the first woman to buy a seat on the New York Stock Exchange in 1967, though her influence grew later as she pushed for financial reforms. Wall Street mocked her as a novelty, but she shattered glass ceilings and advocated for women in finance into her 70s.
Diller started her stand-up comedy career at 37 but hit her stride after 50, embracing a deliberately outrageous persona with wild hair and self-deprecating humor. Industry insiders initially laughed at her unconventional approach, thinking she was too old and odd to succeed. She became a comedy trailblazer.
Becoming a sex therapist and media personality in her 50s, Dr. Ruth launched her radio show Sexually Speaking in 1980 at age 52. Her frank discussions of sex as a diminutive, older woman were met with giggles and disbelief, but she revolutionized public discourse on sexuality.
