How hard we fought! How long the battle between the sexes raged! How earnest our efforts to move from mealy-mouthed maidens to strong independent women with rights and privileges of our own. Lest we forget, it wasn’t until 1974 that we could establish credit and make major purchases without first obtaining the co-signature of a male willing to vouch for us.

It is from this vantage point and with reference to my own HERstory that I was nearly struck dumbfounded by the latest Forbes list of “Most Powerful Celebrities.” Glory Hallelujah—7 out of the top 10 were female!

This was good news indeed. Although women are still a long way from parity with men in the boardroom or the halls of Congress, we’re making major strides in the world of celebrity. Yet, it was with a certain amount of ruefulness, I observed the sole woman who’d made the top 10 and was a boomer over 50 was Oprah Winfrey. The rest, with the exception of Jennifer Lopez who is 43, were well under half-century mark.

As I’ve aged, I’ve learned that life does not hand you everything you want. The trick to happiness is to focus on life’s blessings, be grateful for what you get, and try to overlook the inequities you cannot change. So I try not to focus on the lack of opportunities we encountered growing up. We know all too well that as girls of the ‘50s and ‘60s, we experienced a far from a level playing field—but that was a long time ago.

Nevertheless, every once in a while, it might be nice for one of those young female mega stars—who benefited from the multiple advantages our struggles afforded them—might acknowledge us. Rather than focus on the glam-cam and what they’re going to wear on the red carpet, it could be refreshing for them to give us a nod of respect and gratitude… and perhaps even a “thank you.”

That said, however, as strong, independent women in our own right who are growing feistier by the day, let’s give ourselves that all-important nod. It’s high time we take stock of all we’ve accomplished, revel in our glorious maturity, and take a moment to pat ourselves on the back. And, as a role model of our own who’s busily climbing the ranks of star power, Betty White might just top the Most Powerful Celebrity list next year. Wouldn’t that be a kick in the pants?!

And, speaking of brains, hopefully you’ve just excited your neurons with these fascinating facts. Our world is a source of wonder and, as we age, we find even more reasons to realize how true this is. ENJOY!

Enter Chico’s. Although this company doesn’t specifically brand its products “for the mature woman,” it seems the majority of its clientele are probably boomers. With generous sizing, brighter colors, and styles that flatter figures larger than a size 2, it’s become the go-to store for many of us on the far side of fifty.

I’ve become a customer myself and now receive a monthly catalogue. The latest arrived a few days ago and, as I was thumbing through the pages, I had an epiphany. No, it wasn’t about the latest trends in style and pattern—my inner fashionista has definitely seen better days. My a-ha moment had to do with the models.

First off, I wish the women they chose to represent the Chico’s customer looked a bit more like us. Of course models need to be slender and pretty to show off the clothes to best advantage, but these young women actually were a size 2 or even smaller! And, believe me, there was nary a hint of a laugh-line, muffin-top, or droopy bottom in any of the photos.

Nevertheless I was pleased with the images. Why? Because—contrary to the fashion credo—the models were actually smiling! Yes, every photo displayed a woman who seemed happy and engaged in her life. Compare these pictures with some of the high fashion shots where the models look either bored, haughty, or like they’ve just eaten something that disagreed with them. (The truth is—they’ve probably gone without eating for so long they can’t help but appear disengaged and sour.)

So here’s the insight I’ve gained from my Chico’s catalogue: Women our age really do smile and it’s better to boast a few pounds and a couple of wrinkles than to walk around looking like sourpuss. Give me some color, a bit of fun, and a happy outlook any day. And, on that note, I hope each of you enjoyed a very Happy Mother’s Day!

• Dress for the job you are going for, but take it up a notch. In other words, if your position is very casual and you’ll be wearing jeans for the most part, wear a pair of cotton or wool slacks.
• Even if you’re dressing casually for an interview, a jacket is always a good idea. It shows a certain amount of professionalism and projects an aura of confidence.
• Wear conservative jewelry and accessorize accordingly—same with makeup.
• Make certain that your outfit is clean and pressed and that your shoes are polished.
• Be sure to wear your very best asset—a warm, friendly smile!

For more tips that are guaranteed to help you make a great first impression and ace the interview, be sure to check out the latest, updated version of Land the Job You Love. For the same low price, you’ll get 18 more pages filled with all of the tools you’ll need to approach the job market with confidence, present yourself as a winning candidate, and create the success you deserve. And that’s a winning combo for sure!

In fact, Barbara Hannah Grufferman thinks giving a mere 50% is actually the key to achieving your goals. Barbara is the author of the wise and wonderful book, The Best of Everything After 50: The Experts’ Guide to Style, Sex, Health, Money and More. She’s also a popular columnist/blogger for the Huffington Post at Huff/Post 50. And, in a recent article, Barbara shared her thoughts on what she terms: “The 50% Solution.”

Barbara’s 50% solution is based on the idea that problems will likely arise if we set ourselves up with unrealistic goals. Rather than getting what we want, we can actually sabotage our desired outcome because we feel too overwhelmed to follow-through. This, of course, sets up a vicious cycle of frustration and failure.

So, as Barbara suggests, “There’s a simple solution to streamlining your goals, plans, and even beauty routines, so you actually accomplish what you’ve set out to do… successfully… ‘The 50% Solution’ is a psychological approach to cutting your goals roughly in half, allowing you to reach them more quickly, thereby giving you the motivation you need to keep going.”

You can read more about creating your own success solutions in the areas of weight management, fitness, finances and more by taking a look at Barbara’s article. Better yet, take a listen! Barbara shared her thoughts with Feisty Side of Fifty Radio in an insightful 15-minute interview that just might inspire YOU to go after your own goals and change your life for the better.

So, whatever you decide to achieve, remember to begin by taking things halfway and move on from there. Once you’ve hit the big 5-0 you do deserve to have the best of everything—so use the 50% Solution and get 100% results!

Here are 3 keys that distinguish the modern mover and shaker from her more matronly counterpart.

A blast of creativity: It seems just as Mother Nature removes the female body’s ability to procreate, a new form of creativity is awakened. Most women in midlife claim to experience a rush of ideas, energy, and, as Margaret Mead discovered long ago, a sense of “menopausal zest” that transforms their lives.

The power to say “no:” Suzanne Braun Levine, founding editor of Ms. magazine as well as prolific author of books on women and aging, claims that learning to say “no” is one of the cornerstones of successful aging. No longer burdened by the overwhelming need to please experienced by many younger women, the hormonal gifts of menopause empower women of maturity to set boundaries that support their authentic drives and needs. Once she can say “no” to unwanted distractions and obligations, her “yes” becomes genuine expression of intent and her actions and energy are in alignment with her purpose.

A feeling of liberation: Freed up from many of her earlier responsibilities of raising young families and/or building careers, the mature woman enjoys the gifts of both time and focus. She can take stock of her life, identify where she wants to go, and has the confidence to pursue her goals with a single-minded determination.

So the next time you read an article about older women becoming invisible, remember this truth: with creativity, power, and a feeling of liberation, we can do anything we choose. And, better than that, we can celebrate our age with attitude!

Kate Forgach submitted this special guest post that will definitely give you some food for thought in the romance department. Kate is a  

So you think marriage is for the young? Check this out: As of the 2010 U.S. Census, more than 16-million unmarried Americans were 65 and older. But these single seniors aren’t willing to sit on their laurels; Between 2006 and 2007 there was a 140-percent increase in senior online dating.

Clearly the message that marriage makes you live longer has made its way to the over-65 crowd. Seniors also have learned the effectiveness of online dating sites. According to a2011 international study conducted by the Oxford Internet Institute and funded by eHarmony, middle-aged men and women were the most likely people to use online dating sites, a statistic that particularly holds true for seniors.

With these glaring statistics to back up entrepreneurs, many new businesses have arisen catering to seniors interested in relationships. Here’s a sampling.

1. Dating Sites
Let’s see; There’s SeniorMatch, SeniorPeopleMeet, DatingforSeniors, SeniorFriendFinder, PrimeSingles, SilverSingles, DatingForSeniors…pant, pant, pant. And we’re just getting started. More commonly known sites, like Match.com and eHarmony, also appeal to the over-65 crowd. And let’s not forget AgeMatch, which targets cougars and sugar daddies seeking companionship out of their age range.

An interesting aside to this category is the research findings of two Bowling Green State University professors of gerontology. In the early stages of the study, they’ve found indications that seniors market themselves different on dating sites than their youthful counterparts. Appearance and status drop to the bottom of profiles while compatibility and self representation are priorities.

2. Gift Registries
Soon-to-be-wed seniors likely don’t need another blender, so alternative registries are proving just the ticket. CardAvenue is a wedding gift registry that lets them register for desirable gift cards, including those for stores, airlines, gas, etc. Cloud9Living allows couples to register for desired experiences, like hot-air ballooning in the Rockies, taking gourmet cooking classes in Houston, race car driving in Las Vegas, and much more.

3. Wedding Websites
Personal wedding websites are the latest rage, and WedShare.com in particular has reached out to seniors with it’s easy-to-use message. The company provides a free domain name, customizable website themes and matching eCards, a monetary gift registry with PayPal, and much more. Other similar sites include MyWeddingHosting.com, eWedding.com and Momentville.com. To comparison shop, check out WeddingWebsites.com.

4. Therapy for the Kids
Roughly 500,000 Americans over the age of 65 remarry each year, and most already have adult children, according to Grace Gabe, a psychiatrist and co-author of “Step Wars: Overcoming the Perils and Making Peace in Adult Stepfamilies.” Remembering their parent’s former spouse, the kids may have trouble accepting a new relationship. This has opened up an entirely new species of therapist. While many cater to younger audiences, there are those who provide assistance to both young and old alike.

5. Prenuptial Agreements
No longer a legal document solely for the rich, lawyers are creating prenuptial agreements designed specifically for seniors looking to protect their children’s inheritances or not interested in once-again paying alimony.

Any savvy marketer realizes that prior to launching a product, he or she has to determine the needs and preferences of their customers.  In fact, it is only through a thorough understanding of their customers’ needs, that they can then go on to identify their product’s key selling points: what makes it unique, how it’s better than the competition, etc.

You’ll want to follow this same information-gathering process as you prepare for and conduct your job search. Consider that the only difference between you and a marketing department is that your customers are your potential employers.

Here are three ways you can ensure that you’re gathering the information you’ll need:

1) Use job postings as a research tool

Although job-seekers turn to online postings, they often do so for the wrong reason. It’s estimated that fewer than 15 percent of positions are obtained by responding to postings. So this means you should only spend about 15 percent of your time in that activity (way less than most job-seekers).

Postings, however, can prove extremely helpful as research tools. They tell you who’s hiring, the skills that are currently in demand, the latest buzzwords for your industry, etc. As you peruse the listings, you’ll want to:

Look for keywords/skills you see come up again and again. If they’re true for you, make certain they’re prominently displayed on your resume and that you can speak to them when networking or during a job interview.

Identify the types of training/technical skills required and ensure that you have them. If you need to update your skill sets, there are a number of low fee or free software training sites on line. Here are two to get you started:

GCF Learn Free

Microsoft Office Training

2) Look at the trends

Identify the recent developments in your field: locally, nationally, and internationally. (Today’s economy is a global one and you’ll need to be able to speak with confidence from all three perspectives.) Also ask yourself the following:

Is your field expanding or contracting? There are jobs to be found within contracting industries, but you’ll want to be aware of that fact so you can make an educated choice as to whether or not you wish to remain in the field.

What are your personal opportunities for advancement within the industry?

3) Research your occupation

Although you may have been in your line of work for years, you’ll need to present yourself as the consummate professional who’s on top of the game. You may also be considering a career change and, if so, you’ll want to determine:

Which organizations might employ someone like you?

How can you best present yourself to these companies?

What additional education or training might you need?

What is the current labor demand and future outlook for the occupation?

The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a resource providing current, helpful information regarding specific occupations. You’ll find detailed information on the “nature of the work,” “training and qualifications,” “job outlook,” “related occupations,” and more.

Research is your key to identifying the needs of potential employers, making certain you’re well prepared and properly trained for the job, and ensuring you will present yourself as the candidate they’re seeking. So do your due diligence, you’ll be well rewarded for your efforts and you just might land your next job in record time!

For more great tips and strategies, be sure to check out Land the Job You Love: 10 Surefire Strategies for Jobseekers Over 5o. This is a step-by-step guide is packed with information providing mature applicants with the tools to successfully navigate the modern job market and gain the edge over the competition.

I’ve just experienced one of those special events—both personally and professionally. I’ve enjoyed the immense pleasure and real honor of interviewing one of our nation’s great statesmen, Senator Adlai Stevenson III. As you’ll immediately recognize from his name, this well-known gentleman descends from a long line of statesmen who’ve left their indelible imprint upon our nation’s history. Until our interview, however, I hadn’t realized how long that line really was.

Senator Stevenson came to Feisty Side of Fifty Radio to discuss his insightful, wide-ranging, and wonderfully humorous work, The Black Book. This is the story of five generations of the senator’s family—from his great, great grandfather (who was instrumental in securing the Presidency for Abraham Lincoln) down through his own career in politics.

But the book is much more than a family memoir; it’s a treasure trove of historical references, anecdotes, sayings, and laugh-out-loud quotes. It’s also rich with behind-the-scenes politics that will inspire, amuse, and sometimes outrage the reader but will always have you turning pages with anticipation of what’s to come.

I invite you to take a listen and hear Senator Stevenson share his personal and surprisingly tongue-in-cheek story of American political history from an insider’s point of view. It’s 15-minutes that will both engage and inspire you as this man of wit and wisdom imparts his unique take on where we’ve been and where we’re headed as a nation.

Moreover, for a wonderful read that will give you a statesman’s perspective on life, politics, and the human condition, be sure to check out The Black Book. The author’s goal was to “draw lessons for the future from a rich past.” And, from this reader’s perspective, Senator Stevenson has done just that—this is one book that belongs on everyone’s nightstand!

In How We Love Now, Suzanne Braun Levine writes of longtime friendships and the special bond of reconnecting with people who “knew you when.” The joy of sharing mutual memories of early fashion statements gone awry, excruciating first dances, and the pains and pleasures of adolescence is a treasured experience for each of us who’s is lucky enough to connect with a childhood friend.

But even with the best of friends, things can happen. We get our feelings hurt, our interests change, or we simply drift apart. Sadly, some friendships can even turn toxic. Suzanne and I explored the multi-layered topic of female friendship on Feisty Side of Fifty radio. Always insightful, Suzanne gave me more than a few “aha moments.” I invite you to take 15-minutes and listen for yourselves.

Suzanne will be making a number of appearances in the next several weeks. Be sure to check her website to see when she’ll be in your area. Her presentation will be one you won’t forget and she welcomes connections with new feisty friends so be sure to say hello.

Also be certain to take a look at “The Conversation Continues” an article about Suzanne’s presentation at TedxWomen. Describing The Fertile Void, Suzanne hit all the notes (high and low) about this major transition and had the audience laughing with recognition as well as having several of their own aha moments.

Celebrating the feisty side of fifty is all the richer with good friends beside us. And it’s great to have a special friend, Suzanne Braun Levine, along to give us a roadmap of all we’re experiencing now and the many good things to come.