A Partial List of Rebellious Women

“Now I’ve learned to accept my wrinkles as a road map of life.” Margaret hopes the world views her as beautiful both inside and out, with a heart and actions of honesty. She perceives the outward wrinkles acquired with time to be a roadmap of her life. While she believes...

“When you’re old, you still have the same feelings that you had when you were young. Family just means so much. Memories mean a lot.” “Don’t waste life. Don’t put things off. Enjoy every minute that you can. Make the best of whatever comes.” According to her granddaughter Nicole, Jerry...

“I can do it myself if I have to!” Described as outgoing and compassionate, Melody prides herself on being able to talk to anyone. With her bubbly personality, Melody finds joy in countless aspects of her life, with particular regard to her granddaughter, husband, and friends.  A lover of experiencing...

“Trust your gut.” A creative optimist, Ann has an insatiable desire to learn new things. She’s a lover of gardening, dogs, singing, habitat conservation, and history.  Ann finds joy in pursuits that require her to learn and be creative. As a professor, she finds she is most confident and in...

“Life is so fragile- live with no regrets!” “I was thrilled about participating in this project, though the photo session came shortly after the death of my mom, which now looking at many of my photos I can see the grief in my face, and especially in my eyes.   Her death...

“I’m exactly where I want to be and things just keep getting better.” Thoughtful, loving, self aware, and open, Deborah aims to help her clients live their lives consciously and intentionally. As a relationship and sexuality coach, Deborah greatly values connecting with others through conversation, authenticity, and growth. She enjoys...

“I do not feel old at all. In fact, I feel younger inside because I don’t sweat the small stuff anymore at all!” Laid back, easygoing, and real, Stacey embraces being sure of herself and not caring what other people think of her. Her inner spirit and her four boys...

“My grandmother was right. “Pretty is as pretty does.” True beauty comes from within. I love seeing more and more plus size women who are confident and comfortable in their own skin. Attractive = pleasing to all my senses.” Not only is Mary proud of being known to others as...

“I have never liked getting my picture taken, but I’m finally comfortable with my body and confident in who I am.” A confident, fair, and decisive leader, people are attracted to her integrity. Jimi also finds herself spiritually in tune with nature and the universe. People just like her. Jimi...

“Beauty is always there. You just have to look for it.”

“I've learned that attractiveness is a quality that shines through one's essence; it's far beyond skin deep. I've learned that attractiveness is something one feels, not something one visually sees.” Brenda Morgan was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 65 by Oregon Portrait Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at...

“There is nothing that I cannot overcome.” A lover of family, friends, and riding her Harley Davidson motorcycle with her husband, Tonia loves filling her life with adventure and surrounding herself with people she loves. Tonia and her husband love to travel, scuba dive, and spend time with their cats.

Using her voice and story to change legislation and influence social change, Dawn speaks out for causes dear to her. She believes in fighting for what is right – she is a human rights activist fighting to end child marriage in the United States and ensure equal rights for adults...

“Absolutely my perception of attractiveness has shifted. Attractiveness is not a physical characteristic, it's an energy that someone emanates. It has a magnetic quality and it causes you to want to lean toward that person, lean in, listen deeper, see clearer, understand more thoroughly. It's all encompassing versus one tangible...

“I’m curious and good at following up on it. Voracious, Adventurous and well-read. And messy.” With an adventurous spirit, Val loves exploring her wide variety of interests and experiencing new things. Endlessly curious, she has allowed her life to blossom throughout many career and educational paths and is currently in...

“A lot of freedom can come from being my age- freedom from expectations of society… freedom from things that I should do – maybe I don’t want to do them! It’s very freeing.”  “I like that I am a realist: I am not afraid to recognize problems and I am...

“I have never really been concerned with being attractive. I like to look nice, but not worry about being attractive. I just want to be me and dress comfortably. I guess what is attractive to me is being happy, being physically in shape, and in good health.” Marie Wright was...

“What you can accomplish at any age all depends on your health. Eighty is not the end of your life if you’ve taken care of yourself!” Empathetic, caring, and honest, Kay is an incredible friend and is very family oriented. She and her BFF have been friends since second grade!...

Rosie’s hobbies include making jewelry, scrapbooking and jigsaw puzzles. She has a personal motto, “stick with me you’ll get things free.” Her friends would describe her as a very caring and loyal friend, but according to Rosie, family ALWAYS comes first. Rosie has been known to take people in to...

“It is what it is! The Universe has a plan! In other words, stop wasting your time over worry and fret. Do what you can do, and leave the rest to whatever will be.” Robin is an incredibly resilient woman of 50 who has overcome so many obstacles and heartbreak...

“Don't look back - you're not going that way.” Kim Boaz was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 50 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar in Portland, Oregon.

“I do define attractive differently now. I think of attractive not in the conventional sense of beauty of body or face but more in the sense of enthusiasm for life in whatever form it takes.” Maggie Maggio was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 67 by Photographer...

“Confidence looks good on me! I'm still releasing the need to prove my worth, value, and beauty.” Sarah Kearney was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 51 by Sherwood Photographer Rachel Hadiashar.

“I see others as beautiful because of their character.” Aiming to redistribute as much kindness, joy, and love as possible, Kristine lives her life filled with compassion for the humans and animals around her. When asked about the best life lesson she has learned, she states: “There is so much...

Linda Cahan was photographed in 2022 at the age of 73 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at the portrait studio in Sherwood, Oregon.

“Beauty is about happiness and joy and that’s what my family is. I feel the most beautiful with my children.” Darcy, USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary and Historical Romance, is mother to two children, a wife of 30+ years with an array of rescue cats. She is a self-described...

Margaret Smith was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of 50 by Rachel Hadiashar in Sherwood, Oregon.

Lori Watkins was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 56 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at Zing Studio in Sherwood, Oregon.

“When I decide to do something, I give it 100% and nothing less.”

“‘The expert at anything was once a beginner.’ I use this a lot with my children who get upset when they aren’t perfect the first time out and want to give up.” Living her life dedicated to compassion, faith, and love, Cathy is passionate about Jesus, her children, and those...

“My perception of beauty hasn't changed much over time. I still love to see women dressed to the nines without having to throw out their body parts to attract others.” Michelle Nakoa Medeiros was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 53 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar in the...

“Attractiveness is not so much about the outside it is more the character of an individual, the kindness that is displayed. The laughter. There are some outwardly beautiful people who are mean, nasty and unkind.” Renee Brouse was photographed in 2022 at the age of 52 by Rachel Hadiashar in...

“In the worship of security we fling ourselves beneath the wheels of routine – and before we know it our lives are gone.”  – Sterling Hayden, Wanderer  “Love is a verb” Tenacious, resourceful, and funny, a significant driving force behind Joyce’s life is a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. After...

“For me personally, I think I was most attractive when I was thinner and younger. As I have gotten older and bigger, I tend to criticize myself more when I look at pictures. This isn't true of other people. Attractive is more in the way people hold themselves.” Linda Lagraff...

“My Great Grandmother inspired me to lean in and make it happen— regardless of what others think.” “I tend to hand make everything.” Deb considers recipes as guidelines and cooking as a creative outlet. She is running a cooking club as well as serving on the advisory panel for America’s...

“I no longer want to waste time on people, plans, or projects that are not enjoyable and/or fulfilling in some way.” Strong, independent, and resourceful, Lorraine has a variety of interests and skills across all aspects of her life. An expert in computer software and business, her day-to-day life at...

“A woman truly is in her prime when she’s over 50 and drops the weight of other people’s expectations.” Laura follows her guiding philosophy of “walk purposely; carry a magic wand, and make things happen,” allowing herself to follow her curiosity throughout life. Described as smart, strong, and loyal, she...

“I would like to bust the myth that we are irrelevant. AARP has released a study showing that 75% of women over 40 who have been displaced from their jobs during Covid have been displaced for at least six months.” Jennifer McLaughlin was photographed in 2022 at the age of...

“I have always been one who is attracted to good, kind people with good hearts. This is even more important to me now. Life is too short to be around people who are not the kindest of people.” Pam Meisinger was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of...

“Don’t waste a second of your life thinking you are inadequate: get out there and shine your light in the world” is something Connie would tell her 20 something self. Ambitious, courageous, and outgoing, fearlessly showing up for life is something that Connie deeply believes. Approaching life with love and...

“I’ve spent 50 years getting really comfortable in this body!” Robyn Knox was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of 51 by Rachel Hadiashar at the portrait studio in Sherwood, Oregon.

“Attractive is for me, not for anyone else. Looking professional is BS. Looking attractive means no makeup, my hair might be a little messy, and I don't give a shit about what anyone else thinks.” Christine Moses was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of 60 by Rachel...

“A happy person brings joy to those around them. A smile is the most attractive trait available to each and every person.” Debbie Johnson was photographed in 2022 at the age of 63 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar in Sherwood, Oregon.

“I've pretty much always felt that being in shape is what makes you attractive, even as I've felt that inner beauty is more important - so I've always been conflicted about this. I want to believe that inner beauty is the most important, as well as healthy fitness (even if...

“Life is too short to spend one single minute with someone who doesn’t think you’re the most amazing person in the world.”  Julie is an optimist with a huge heart and an unfailing belief in the human spirit. Julie is a singer, actress, and writer – recently publishing her first...

“I don’t need to please others. I just need to do what is right and speak my truth with kindness.” “I strive to find peace and joy no matter where I am. And when I stop feeling those things, I move on.” Dedicated to her children, faith, and community, Shauna...

“Wisdom is attractive, sexy, beautiful!” Diane Solomon was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of 62 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar.

“I’m a hard hat wearing, brain tumor survivor who wants to show others that it’s possible to thrive after trauma and after 50.” Empathetic, intuitive, and courageous are a few words that describe Robyn. After finding out she had a brain tumor at 50 years old, she had to manage...

“I care about everyone and the world. I want to do my part to make the world a better place. Not just from an environmental place, but from the way we treat one another as human beings.” Dedicated to serving and supporting her son, friends, and family, Iris’ greatest joy...

“The things that are most attractive to me now are more about what's on the inside vs. the outside. A person's presence that exudes self awareness and acceptance, emotional safety, a hint of playfulness and being comfortable in their own skin rather than having to achieve some model of perfection...