The Beauty of Aging: "I am Woman"

The Beauty of Aging: “I am Woman”

TGIF

TGIF (said no hairstylist, ever)! Except for this stylist. Life is good and blessings abound. However, I have been neglecting this beauty blog in pursuit of an MA in English. Additionally, I returned to my roots; back to beauty school as the Executive Director of a popular cosmetology school. As a result, postings for Ask the Pro Stylist will be to a minimum as I prepare to graduate. In addition, the demands of my new position will also sadly keep, but not from writing as I evolve. Be on the lookout for a novel, or a transition from a beauty blog to the beauty of aging. Regardless, I will update you here when it all comes to fruition. For today, though, I want to reflect on my recent experience in graduate school.

Age is Just a Number

Who says you can’t go back? No one! Thanks to the pandemic I was out of work. As such, it was the perfect opportunity to complete my dream of going to graduate school. Unsure of which direction to head, I endeavor to fulfill my mother’s destiny of becoming a successful author. Unfortunately, her attempts came to a screeching halt due to her illness. Therefore, I want to pick up where she left off. So, at 53 I enrolled in a graduate program at ASU, and am finishing in less than a year. I will have my Masters of English in December. And, I have one course left to go! Age is just a number!

The Beauty of Aging: Exhausting and Exhilarating

In July, a position I have been vying for, for 3 years came around once more. As such, I threw my hat in the ring yet again, but this time with a twist. In no uncertain terms, I told them why they needed me. I was hired two days later. Because of the demands of the job, I get home late. I already registered for two of my last three courses, in this accelerated online program, when accepting the offer. Needless to say, the workload is intense. What I didn’t realize was both classes had quite a lot of reading, indeed. I shed a few tears, carried on, and am still maintaining my A average with the encouragement and support of my children and husband who push me every day and lift me to new limits. Yes, it is difficult. NO, I never give up. Age is just a number.

I am Woman, Hear ME Roar!

Looking at my last blog post, I noticed it was about beauty pageants and feminism, regarding a review of a book that draws parallels between the waves of feminism in beauty pageants from the Suffragettes through the #MeToo movement. Ironically, in preparing for my final assignment in a course about WWII Literature focusing on Nobel Laureates, I heard Helen Reddy’s “I am Woman” on the radio on the drive to work. The song was popular in 1971 when I was 3-years-old. I remember my mother singing it. I remember as I got older the women’s marches and eventually, I declared myself a feminist as the only daughter among four brothers, only female cousin, and later a mother of four sons. Ironically, the book I was finishing for the last paper recalled the feminist struggle of women in the Soviet Union.

The Unwomanly Face of War: An Oral History of Women in World War II by Svetlana Alexievich provides true accounts of some of the 800,000 females who fought at the front amid horrific conditions. They witnessed tragedies, fought bravely, and returned to subjugation. Then, I hear the lyrics and am moved beyond words: “I am strong. I am invincible. I am woman!” Tears welled in my eyes; for the pain of the women in Alexievich’s narratives; for the happiness of my success; for my mom who is no longer with us; for the reversal of women’s rights in Texas; for my students who struggle to make it to school to become stylists; for Gabby Petito; for victims of abuse; for all women!

Reflection

I want my students to know anything is possible with hard work. I need the citizens of this country to read or reread the World War II literature from Kurt Vonnegut and Nobel Laureates such as Albert Camus and Svetlana Alexievich to remember our history, the history of the world, and stop repeating the sins of the past. I want my children to know the sky is the limit. I need women to know that the glass ceiling must be shattered forever and never permitted to hang over our heads again.

Happy Styling!

This might be one of the last posts, or not. But I can guarantee, this will not be the last time you hear from me. Silence is never an option. Relish in the beauty of aging. Until then, happy styling!

©Deirdre Haggerty, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. It is unlawful to reproduce this article or any part therein without prior written permission and consent from the author.