12/09/2009 3:00 am

Culture

What three women over 40 from this past decade (2000-2009) have really wowed you? And why?

Joan Ganz Cooney, Candice Bergen, Mary Wells, Lesley Stahl and Liz Smith on the women who've enlightened and inspired ...

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LauraWard
Sarah Palin of course, not always for the right reasons, but I was very wowed by her in the beginning. Tina Fey is will be 40 in May 2010, so I’ll add her in as I truly admire her talent. Meryl Streep with her long career, happy long marriage and no scandals in her life. Wish I could’ve thought of someone in their 50s, but no one came to mind immediately.
By LauraWard on 12/09/2009 3:19 am
BelindaJoy

Michelle Obama - Because I admire and respect the manner in which she carried herself during the campaign. As almost every woman at the side of a male politician succeeds in his political race, she too transformed over the race physically and emotionally. It was great to see her really come into her own and shine. I really love who she is.

Sarah Palin - I have made it clear many times I don’t respect her. She’s not my cup of tea. But there is no denying she is making her mark in American history. She has honed the art of ambition and is riding that train for as far as it will take her - only the upcoming years will reveal how far it will take her.  She is a spit-fire in my opinion and definitely WOW’s me.

Oprah Winfrey - She continues to amaze me. She is an entrepreneur and epitomizes what a strong, intelligent and confident woman is and should be. She’s real, and I like that about her. For women who struggle with weight issues…she can relate and vice versa. For women who were sexually abused…she can relate.  Men troubles? She can relate. You name it and she has lived it, and because of this she can connect.

She is worth millions and yet has a "common touch" one that most people with her wealth can’t say. They usually steer clear from showing vulnerability, while Oprah on the other hand wears her flaws with pride.  I am always mystified by those who say they don’t like her.

By BelindaJoy on 12/09/2009 3:51 am
SusanSchiefelbein
When I first met Diane Straus-Tucker 30 years ago, she daughter of extraordinary parents and graduate of the first Yale class to admit women and an extraordinary young mother. She didn’t stop there. She has since become a major fundraiser for the Democrataic party; writer and editor; president and publisher of The American Prospect magazine, and publisher of the prestigious Washington Monthly.  She is one of the few women —one of the few citizens— who has not only taken a politically correct role in environmental sensibility and political responsibility, but who has also taken a profoundly activist role in pursuit of her beliefs and defense of future generations.  
By SusanSchiefelbein on 12/09/2009 6:36 am
EldebboC
Oprah Winfrey, of course, Paula Deen because she has come such a long way in her career the last decade, and Hilary Clinton because after EVERYTHING she has stayed with her husband.
By EldebboC on 12/09/2009 9:13 am
JamestheGame
In no particular order: Hillary Clinton, for her tireless work ethic in fighting the good fight. Oprah Winfrey, a class act. Marlo Thomas/Terre Thomas: saving lives and finding cures at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
By JamestheGame on 12/09/2009 9:23 am
KarleenS

Sarah Palin - Only in the "wow, can someone really be that stupid and still breathe" kind of wowed.
Michelle Obama - talk about grace under fire.  Who cares about her damned shorts on vacation. 
Meryl Streep - I just really like her and was reminded of it recently. 
Jenny Sanford - Willing to hang a cheating governor husband out to dry. Instead of covering for him to protect her status, "I don’t know where he is." Forcing him to come clean and maintaining her dignity in the process.
Maria Shriver - Handling the passing of two high profile relatives (mother and uncle) so close together, showing strength and composure, and even being a pallbearer.  She’s never afraid to just dig in.

By KarleenS on 12/09/2009 9:36 am
TP1

Karleen-

Palin IS smart. She has a loving family, not a bad looking husband, she has a best selling book-out sold Hillary’s book in just one week and Ted Kennedy’s, she was elected Mayor, elected Governor…pretty smart.

By TP1 on 12/15/2009 4:53 pm
KarleenS
Blah, blah.  I have never seen the woman speak where she has ever given any indication that she was smart.  She has a failed family policy of abstinence only, and a best seller book is by no means an indication of its intellectual superiority.  National Enquirer outsells other magazines, and I’m pretty sure the Palin tome appeals only to the same audience.  Oh, and she quit her job as governor with some lame excuse about being a lame duck.  If that were acceptable, every person elected to office would quit before their term is out.  I can only guess she was acknowledging that no one in their right mind would re-elect her, because she could have legally served two more terms.  
By KarleenS on 12/15/2009 7:38 pm
KarleenS
Once again, stay on topic.  We aren’t talking about me, Obama, or anyone other than Palin.  And your opinion is a spoonfed minority one.  
By KarleenS on 12/16/2009 7:15 pm
TP1

Karleen-

I’ve stayed on topic. And my opinion is hardly that of a minority one. Once again you are more than welcome to check out the number of Palin book sales for example. More and more people are listening to Palin every single day. Hardly spoonfed. Happy Holidays.

By TP1 on 12/17/2009 4:12 am
Community Manager
There are other articles if you want to discuss Palin exclusively. 
By Community Manager on 12/17/2009 10:09 am
DeborahZapor

Hillary Clinton.  Although I disagree with her political views, I admire her grace in the face of adversity and public scrutiny.

Farrah Fawcett.  She faced a cruel and unforgiving illness with dignity and was not afraid to share her triumphs and defeats with us.

Not to "toot my own horn", but I wowed myself.  I’ve been caring for my disabled husband, lost my job and dealt with unpleasant family situations and have managed to maintain some modicum of sanity through it all.  You never know what you’re capable of until the situation presents itself.  I have an unabiding faith that reassures me if God will take you to it, God will see you through it.  It’s not how you weather the storm.  It’s how you come out on the other side.

 

By DeborahZapor on 12/09/2009 9:50 am
MaggieW

Former First Lady Barbara Bush, who continues to lend her voice and presence to address literacy in this country.

Jenny Sanford, for quietly remaining true to her values and her four children during Mr. Tan Lines’  weepy fiasco.

Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, everything that could possibly be thrown at them has… and they are still standing tall.

By MaggieW on 12/09/2009 10:16 am
JayeRamseySutter

Hillary Clinton for 19 million votes—she won the primaries but lost the caucus but won the long haul.  She will make it easier for so many women.

Ruth Bader Ginsberg for telling men on the Supreme Court that women do not need to be protected as suggested by Anthony Kennedy for making a difficult choice

and me—for going to law school at 38. 

By JayeRamseySutter on 12/09/2009 10:27 am
SusanCrawford

Whoopi Goldberg because she combines all the attributes I love best: a roaring sense of humor and irony; a passion for everything she does; a boundless curiosity; and for being inimitably herself no matter how the chips may fall.

Dr. Maya Angelou for being filled with wisdom; having the fortitude to endure and to surmount life’s challenges and inspire others while doing so; and for once calling me "Sister Teacher" - a moment I will never forget.

Dame Judi Dench for all her glowing performances; for her great beauty; and for being a helluva dame.

And me - for still kicking up my heels from time to time; and believing that life, after all, is a daily precious gift, despite all the craziness!

By SusanCrawford on 12/09/2009 11:06 am
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