A Partial List of Rebellious Women

“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...

‘True peace is possible within ourselves. All decisions are made out of love or fear. Choose love.’ Sherri’s most cherished possession is her soul’s happiness and purpose. She has become literate in this life lesson along the path of life, with the great achievement of continual enlightenment and awareness. Sherri...

Kind, compassionate, and loyal, Kim has a deep love for people. She values family and finds value in the ways family can be formed, whether through bloodline or choice. Seeing her children and grandchildren enjoying life is a great source of joy for Kimberly. Described as ‘the world’s mother’ by...

“Live your life, not someone else's - don't live to someone else's expectations and don't compare your life to others.” Rachel Hadiashar photographed and interviewed Anne Crispino Taylor in 2021, at the age of 63.

“Now, I appreciate the individuals: those who have their own sense of style, exude self confidence, and have an  air about them that is open, relaxed, and curious.” As a lover of Mother Nature, Joy loves yoga, hiking, road trips, traveling, and just generally being adventurous. She feels most alive,...

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

“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...

“I don't believe attractive means being all made up (although it can certainly help). As I've gotten older, attractive has as much to do with how you feel, how you treat others. I definitely think personal hygiene is a help but that's just a matter of being clean and feeling...

“I find that people who try too hard to look good usually don’t, and people who show up with a smile look much better.” Friendly, humorous, trustworthy, dedicated, and a lover of mornings, Colleen loves getting up each day to start tackling problems or working on the day’s to-do list....

“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...

“Be kind, do good, we’ve got this.” Margaret loves volunteering, lifelong learning, and supporting communities and organizations that do good for the world. Passionate about international exchange, she and her husband have hosted ten international exchange high school students since 2006. Described as kind, big-hearted, and inspiring, she has dedicated...

“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 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...

5889 years of collective life experience and wisdom.  I am thrilled to announce that my portrait campaign featuring 100 vibrant women over 50 will be showcased at the Hillsboro Library at Brookwood. The gallery will run throughout the month of March in honor of Women’s History Month!  This exhibit is...

“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...

“Growing up in the 70’s-80’s, I used to think that I had to have the perfect face and big hair. I would never think of going anywhere without looking just right. Now, I think the less makeup the better. Embrace your natural look!” “Oh, there’s one more thing that’s great…...

“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 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...

“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...

“Regardless of what is going on in my life, I believe that there is always something good out there and always something to be grateful for.” “How you feel about yourself inside will bring out the true beauty.”  A fierce mama bear, Renée is a wise and loyal caretaker who...

“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...

“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...

“Life is what we make it!” Open-minded, caring, and resilient, Carrie finds the positive in challenging situations. She believes the most rewarding thing about getting older is the ability to look back at all life’s experiences, to learn from them, and to know that there is so much more to...

“It does not matter if people do not like you. Trust your intuition.” Jardima Kroeker was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 57 by Sherwood photographer Rachel Hadiashar

“We can look at the time that we have as chapters, and it’s our choice what to title them.” An incredible listener, people confide in Sharon and admire her heart. She loves spending time with her family and friends and enjoys being a “good, deep friend” to those around her....

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

“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.

“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...

“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.

“A coward dies a thousand deaths.” Catherine deeply loves her family and grandchildren, and embraces the time she gets to spend with them. Compassionate, loving, and caring, Catherine has enjoyed her career as a nurse and loves that she gets to learn something new every day.  Intelligent and sarcastic, Catherine...

Caring and loving, Barbara is one of those people that welcomes you with open arms, will lend a shoulder to cry on, and listen closely when you need a friend. She loves her family and friends and finds great joy in their presence. Barbara finds the positive in tough situations...

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.” A lover of supporting and caring for others, Nicole aims to help people live full and beautiful lives. Described as loving, loyal, and enthusiastic, Nicole works to make Oregon a place where people with substance use and gambling disorders...

"I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept."  Mary Lopez was photographed and interviewed in 2022 at the age of 61 by Sherwood Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at the studio n Sherwood, OR.

“I’ve always found that the most attractive people are wicked smart, kind and interesting.” Jeanne Buschart was photographed in 2022 at the age of 63 by Sherwood Photographer Rachel Hadiashar

“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...

“I feel like I have always been attracted to people by their character first and not outward appearance. I think the most attractive people are the ones who can make you laugh, see the positive side and have a passion for something.” Jenn Barker was interviewed and photographed in 2022...

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

“Attractive is put together, confident, and open to new experiences.” Carol Gunn was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at age 63 at the portrait studio in Sherwood, Oregon by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar.

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

“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 don't have to look like anyone's idea of beauty anymore. I like what I see in the mirror. Even if I do have blinders on about some of myself.” Michelle Mackey was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 51 by Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at the studio...

“I was taught that I needed to look a specific way or wear makeup or fit in with societal beauty types. I went from sneaking makeup and putting it on at my friends house before school (took A LOT of work!) to finding college life had no place for that...

“Yes, beauty comes from within, it makes a person beautiful on the outside. Attractive is a person with kind eyes, wrinkles, laugh lines, who is fun, good, quirky, dry, and a sense of humor - who can laugh at themselves.” Leea Voetberg was photographed in 2022 at the age of...

“I’ve been around long enough now that it’s so much easier to see what deserves my time and energy and what doesn’t. My biological clock has shifted from making babies to death and that clock just keeps getting louder. I don’t have time for nonsense anymore. I want the good...

Norma Lewis was interviewed and photographed in 2022 at the age of 63 by Oregon Photographer Rachel Hadiashar at the studio in Sherwood.

“Life keeps coming with the gifts.”   Chamomile is a thinker and has always been. She doesn’t want to follow the line for its own sake. She’s looking for the truth, and for the experience that’s made for her. Nature always shows her the way.  Cammi finds joy in relaxing,...

“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 perceptions have changed with awareness of the societal conditioning at the root of my self-criticism and body shame, though I’m still working on it. The 50 over 50 photo shoot experience, for which I am so grateful, positively impacted my ability to see and accept my body and myself....

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