“Nothing can dim the light which shines from within.” – Maya Angelou

I've Been Thinking...

This week, I found myself sitting in my New York City hotel room trying to gather my thoughts as I reflected on the wide range of emotions that I’ve felt over the last few days. I found myself thinking about how I’ve felt inspired, ignited and encouraged as I’ve witnessed so many different women take my breath away.

Sunday night at the Emmy’s, award-winning actress Alex Borstein used her acceptance speech to speak about her grandmother, who barely survived the Holocaust. Borstein said that her grandmother dared to “step out of line," even though she was at risk of being shot. In doing so, her grandmother saved her life, and ultimately created a life that allowed for Borstein and her children to be here today.

“So, step out of line, ladies,” Borstein said as she clutched her Emmy. “Step out of line.”

Her words really landed with me. They made me think about the other women I admire who have used their voices to bravely “step out of line.”

Greta Thunberg stepped out of line in the best way possible this week when she addressed world leaders gathered at the U.N. Climate Action Summit and asked, “How dare you!” Thunberg accused them of speaking empty words about fighting climate change, all while our people and the planet suffer.

"This is all wrong,” she said to them in tears. “I shouldn't be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean."

Thunberg’s courage, passion and anger brought the U.N. to a standstill. The 16-year-old Swedish activist, who is nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, was awarded the 2019 Right Livelihood Award (Sweden’s alternative Nobel Prize) just a day after her U.N. address.

Another woman who “stepped out of line” in her own beautiful way was Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver. Oliver passed away in January, but I fondly remembered her this week as I spoke at a memorial in New York City that celebrated her life and work.

Oliver didn’t take a conventional approach to her life, either. She stepped out of line by leaving her roots in Ohio and chasing after her “one wild and previous life.” Through her powerful voice and words, she challenged us all to do the same.

In her own way, and in her own time, Oliver posed a question similar to Thunberg’s: If you only have one chance at life, are you going to stand in line, or are you going to step out and make your voice heard?

Of course, this week in politics, all eyes were on Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi as she began impeachment hearings against President Trump. I found myself glued to the TV all week as I watched this stunning national story play out in real-time. No matter your political persuasion, I hope you can recognize that this was a moment of daring for Pelosi, who has been under pressure for months. She seized the moment and stepped out when she felt it was right and absolutely necessary.

I believe that women of all ages and generations are discovering that the only way to get something done is indeed by “stepping out of line.” In fact, this week as I sat down with women over 50 for a conversation on TODAY, I was struck by how they have learned to “step out of line” and rewrite the narrative about what it means to be a woman of their age.

These women told me that they feel more confident at this age than they ever have. They told me that they've come to view themselves as smart, interesting, capable and confident human beings. Best of all, none of them said they would change a thing or go back in time to their younger selves. They all agreed that they’ve grown better with age, and that they finally feel free to pursue their dreams and be their truest selves. In short, they finally feel free to “step out of line.”

Like all human beings, women of a certain age want to still be seen, valued and accepted for who they are. They don’t want to be discounted because of their age. They don’t want to be viewed as less valuable or less attractive because of their age.

I know many men over 50 feel the same way. Boomers do not want to stand by idly or be sent out to pasture. After all, we’re the generation that has rewritten so many of the rules already. That’s why I believe we’ll be rewriting the rules when it comes to aging as well.

My takeaway from this week is that it’s a privilege to use your voice on behalf of things you care about, no matter the stage of life. Speaking up and stepping out of line is a beautiful act of defiance and determination at every age.

So, the next time you feel like you are approaching a line — be it real or imagined — dare to step over it. Dare to take a risk and cross over to the other side. If someone treats you like you are irrelevant, like you are too young or too old, or like you simply don’t know what’s what, then just do like Thunberg did this week and say, “How dare you!”

I know I won’t allow my voice to be dismissed or disregarded, especially because of my age.  I’m not having any of that, and neither should you.

Love,

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This week on TODAY, Maria and Hoda interviewed Renée Zellweger about her new film, Judy – and about returning to the spotlight after taking a break.

“It’s nice to be starting again at a different age where you have a better idea about what matters to you, about what’s important, and the things you’re going to nurture going forward. It’s a really nice place to be,” Zellweger said. And if her latest performance is any indication, her time away served her well – she’s back and better than ever. Bravo!