Helen Mirren | Super Dame

Shakira is our first patron saint at Anne of Carversville, but Dame Helen Mirren isn’t far behind. Mirren’s definitely the inspiration for my growing Old Ladies Rebellion. With role models like Helen, aging doesn’t seem so bad — as long as a woman lives consciously with her body, mind and spirit.

On the subject of aging, the Daily Mail — which can be ruthlessly critical of women’s physicality and aging bodies — published an absolutely terrific read.

Actually, it must be Helen Mirren day, because she’s extolled here, too: Seductive, confident and knowing: The allure of the older woman has novelist Howard Jacobson enthralled.

Dame Helen Mirren, via UK Daily MailAt 64, Helen Mirren looks fantastic and even better in person. I had the great pleasure of sitting close in her 2008 TimesTalk here in New York.

In spite of her fabulous figure and great looks, Helen Mirren says that she totally understands why women undergo cosmetic surgery to look younger. Admitting that she herself has experienced self-doubts over her looks and growing older.

Mirren’s perspective on women’s angst over their physicality is very similar to my own. 

In an interview with GMTV, Dame Helen said: ‘I don’t think there’s outside pressure, I think it’s the pressure you put on yourself when you look at the mirror in the morning.

‘You go, ‘I don’t want to look at that face anymore,’ and I understand that, absolutely. I think people should be allowed to do whatever they want to make themselves feel happy.’ via Daily Mail UK

I don’t agree that society and beauty standards aren’t a partial source of women’s torment.  I do believe that working through the journey of loving oneself, — caring about one’s physical self enough to exercise, eat healthy, enjoy the company of both sexes, stay sensual, exercise one’s mind — is a selfpenbrace that women can only do between themselves and the woman in the mirror. It truly is a different psychological experience for men, than for women. Anne

The ‘Old Ladies Rebellion’: Coming Soon, and It’s More than a Designer Label

Follow this read Helen Mirren: A Smart Sensuality, Sweet Talkin’ Dame(s), where you will find the Times Talk interview and several other Helen Mirren video appearances.