Aline Brosh McKenna is tired of women thinking they have an age limit on their success. One of the creative minds behind Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Aline took to Twitter to share a beautiful message with her followers.
Women often feel like we’re being rushed into our dreams or marriages or even into motherhood. So to see that there can be success at any age is helpful and encouraging.
Nora Ephron was 51 when she directed her 1st movie. Nancy Meyers was 49. Their kids were grown. If you’re a women who writes, acts, edits, ADs, etc and you’re ready to direct, you’re not too old. I was 47. Tell the people you work with your dream. Put your hand up. Men ask. Ask.
— Aline Brosh McKenna (@alinebmckenna) October 22, 2018
From there, Twitter took over, sharing aspects of their own success or thanks for Aline’s message.
I’m 53 and my 1st book 📖 #BYDN was published in 2017 https://t.co/2tBuwi1zdl
— Kelly Hoey (@jkhoey) October 22, 2018
Because our dreams don’t have an age limit.
54 and moving towards a second career in tv animation storyboarding. https://t.co/WAiijn5lvM
— LeaAAH! PumpkinSeedman 🖤🧡🎃 🌊 (@PenPencilPixel) October 22, 2018
When we stop and think about the power of women, a lot of our more influential ladies changed the world long after their 20s.
Women over 40 change the world. Rosa Parks was 42 when she refused to give up her Montgomery bus seat. Susan B. Anthony was 58 & Elizabeth Cady Stanton was 63 when they introduced an amendment giving women the right to vote. Dolores Huerta is still registering voters at age 88. https://t.co/QdtvQLlxNh
— Nancy Wang Yuen (@nancywyuen) October 22, 2018
It’s important to remember that it can take a lot for us to realize that our age can’t stop us, considering the cultural conditioning and messaging we constantly receive.
I wish someone had told me to embrace the power that comes with age. Entering my 40s, I speak out more and take more risks. I am no longer shackled by fears of how others perceive me. I revel in my gifts and accept my shortcomings. I am free. pic.twitter.com/TjRYO0qBRz
— Nancy Wang Yuen (@nancywyuen) October 22, 2018
And the most important one, at least to me, is the one pointing out that growing older doesn’t mean everything stops. Just because we are 30 doesn’t mean that our dreams suddenly die.
Also – stop thinking you have to accomplish everything by the time you are 30. https://t.co/CL8xLu3zxY
— Tanzina Vega (@tanzinavega) October 22, 2018
A lot of the thread included women using “Ask” to remind people that all you have to do is ask women how they got where they are. When they started. If younger women had an open dialogue with successful older women, a lot of anxieties about our careers that we harbor could be extinguished.
I LITERALLY asked to run my own show, my first show when I was 43. Ask. https://t.co/sdaFpvyfEg
— Holly Sorensen (@HollyBSorensen) October 22, 2018
Most of the arguments against women stem from the idea that we have a time limit on when we can settle down and have children. But, as simple as it seems, we can do it all. We just have to talk about how we’re feeling and how hard we work.
When gender and motherhood intersects is a tricky thing. Women are often taught to not speak about how hard it is to work through the young years of children b/c then we’re saying it’s a weakness. I’ve done this. BUT… stay with me… https://t.co/vjveBIqqRM
— Audrey Wauchope (@audreyalison) October 22, 2018
If more men opened up to women, or it wasn’t seen as “presumptive,” we’d do the same in return a lot more.
Men really do just ask. It’s unnerving. But perhaps it shouldn’t be. https://t.co/3YOuXEDq9i
— Linda Ge (@lindazge) October 22, 2018
But then again, it isn’t just a woman’s issue.
I’m a man, but as a person of color, I didn’t know I could ask until recently. Similiar struggles on this side, too.
Glad we’re in an era where we’re not disenfranchising ourselves anymore. Ask. https://t.co/XPFs7pTGQa
— (((Mike Brown))) (@YoMikeBrown) October 22, 2018
It’s crucial to have these dialogues so we know that we’re not all alone in our struggles. Thank you to Aline Brosh McKenna for reminding us that our career goals are possible at any age.
(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
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